An ultrasound technician (also called diagnostic sonographer) is an exciting and highly-paying job that is available to most people. An ultrasound technician is the person who actually performs the ultrasounds in a medical setting. This is not to be confused with an ultrasound service technician, whose job it is to repair and service ultrasound machines.
Steps
- Finish high school and graduate.
- Go to an accredited college for diagnostic sonography (ultrasound technicians) that will offer you an associate's degree.
- This will generally be a 2-year program, or if you have had many of the prerequisites, may take 1 or 1 1/2 years
- If you have already graduated from college, you will most likely be able to complete the program in 1 year if you have fulfilled the basic prerequisites (biology and physics)
- Stay away from 8-week or 6-month programs. Not only do they not prepare you for your future profession adequately, but you will not be competitive in the job market to get a decent position.
- Get clinical experience during your attendance at the college.
- Take the certification exam for diagnostic sonography once you graduate and receive an associate's degree. This includes two parts--a general physics section and a subspecialty of your choice (ob/gyn, abdominal, etc.)
Tips
- 3D ultrasound technology is currently the cutting edge, and 3D ultrasound skills are increasing in demand. Get skilled in the use of 3D ultrasounds to get an edge in the job market.
Warnings
- There are many pseudo-schools or schools of questionable character that advertise a degree for ultrasound technicians. It is not uncommon for these schools to actually shut down or go bankrupt before the end of your training or to hand you a degree that you later find out is worthless. Be sure to go to an accredited school for ultrasound technicians and get an associate's degree.
- Many positions require you to be certified. After you graduate, get certified as soon as possible.
