Ultrasound technicians perform routine medical sonography exams.
Ultrasound technicians perform medical imaging that is part of a larger discipline known as diagnostic medical imaging. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs in this field will increase by 18 percent by 2018. The median annual pay as of May 2008 for professionals in this field was $61,980. Education requirements for employment in this field vary by state. In Oregon, ultrasound technicians may have an associate or bachelor's degree.
General Education Requirements
The Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and Portland Community College (PCC) offer educational programs in medical imaging. Students who complete their education at PCC can go on to OIT to complete a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging. As with all bachelor's degrees, this program requires the full spate of general education courses needed to provide the student with a well-rounded education. Students must complete courses in English composition, speech communication, humanities (literature, music appreciation), social science (anthropology, criminal justice, sociology, economics), technology and computer proficiency, science and math and intercultural studies (cultural anthropology, world geography).
Pre-Medical Imaging Technology Coursework
Throughout the first year of pursuing studies in these areas of general education, students also pursue additional studies in pre-medical imaging technology. These courses are designed to prepare students for a strong foundation in the basic health sciences that will improve important for later studies during their junior and senior years as they complete the medical imaging coursework. Some of the areas covered by these pre-medical imaging courses include college algebra, human anatomy and physiology, introduction to medical imaging, elementary chemistry and medical terminology.
Professional Coursework
Professional coursework in the field of medical imaging is also required. These courses are generally taken from the sophomore year onward. These courses cover the many facets of the medical imaging profession so that students can walk into their first day on the job and know what their job duties are from the outset. Courses include areas of study such as technical report writing, sonographic abdominal scanning, sonographic physics and instrumentation, applications of abdominal sonography, physics of medical imaging, sonographic film analysis, healthcare management, pelvic sonography, total quality in healthcare, diagnostic medical sonography, obstetrical sonography, survey of vascular technology, breast sonography and sonographic pathology.
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