Sonographers use ultrasound to monitor a baby's health.
A diagnostic medical sonographer, also known as an ultrasound technician, uses sound waves to assess or diagnose medical conditions. Some sonographers use ultrasound technology in obstetrics in order to track a baby's development, although there are also specialties focusing on many other areas of the body.
Education
Most people pursue a career in sonography through a combination of formal education and experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a two-year associate's degree program is the most common path. Students will often take classes in physiology and anatomy, as well as patient care and medical ethics. Many students attend a program certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which will allow them to sit for certification examinations immediately. Other students choose a non-certified program, which requires a year of work experience in a clinical setting before the certification examination.
Career Path
Many students choose to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examination upon completing their education, which earns them the title of "registered sonographer." This exam contains a general Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) section, as well as a number of tests based on specialty. The BLS notes that many employers prefer to hire registered sonographers, so successfully completing the exam can be a path toward career advancement. According to the ARDMS, a sonographer with three to five years of experience can direct a sonography department.
Salary
According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for a sonographer is $63,640. This includes sonographers at every level of experience around the country. For a starting sonographer, wages will be lower due to their lack of experience. The BLS notes that the bottom 10 percentile earns an annual mean of $43,990. The highest paid sonographers earn an annual wage of $85,950. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) notes that salary typically includes hourly salary, overtime and on-call pay. According to the BLS, those sonographers with multiple specialty certifications have a higher earning potential.
Sonography Specializations
According to the SDMS, there are a number of specialties within sonography. A sonographer can take additional ARDMS specialty examinations without having to re-sit the SPI test, which may open up further career opportunities. The most common specialties are the abdomen, breast, obstetrics and gynecology, echocardiography, vascular systems, evaluation of the brain and spinal cord, and evaluation of the eyes.
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