Sonography equipment is used in various medical scenarios.
Those wanting a career in sonography have a couple of education options. Sonographers can be trained on the job by a practice accredited by the American Institution of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), through a formal education program, or through a combination of both. Once trained, sonographers face a rosy job outlook. The number of sonographers is expected to increase 18 percent by 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2008, sonographers earned $61,980 annually.
Instructions
1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Post-secondary training programs in sonography require completion of this step as an admissions prerequisite. You will be required to have completed courses in mathematics, science, communications, health and a foreign language. Depending on the sonography training program you apply to, you may also need to take a standardized college assessment exam such as the ACT, SAT or COMPASS (Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System).
2. Choose a post-secondary sonography training program that suits your needs. Programs are offered at vocational-technical schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and the Armed Services. Options include one-year programs that culminate in a certificate, two-year associate's degree programs or four-year bachelor's degree programs. If you attend a one-year program, you must also have completed training in a similar allied health field. One-year programs are typically used for career advancement, as they do not offer the same in depth training as two- or four-year programs.
3. Complete your training. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), you must complete coursework in physics, communication, algebra and biology. Education-Portal.com reports you will also complete courses in anatomy, instrumentation, patient care, ethics and medical terminology.
4. Earn your professional certification by registering with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). States do not require sonographers to become licensed, however ARDMS registraiton will increase opportunities for employment, advancement and higher pay. You must complete an exam to earn your general registration; you must also pass a test in a specialty area of sonography, such as breast, vascular system, cardiac, nervous system and abdomen. In order to maintain your certification, you will be required to complete continuing education courses in regular intervals.
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