Ultrasound tech schools provide students the prerequisites they need in order to enter a clinical ultrasound tech program, while also preparing them for a management level position.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an ultrasound technician, first of all you have to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s healthcare degree from one of the ultrasound tech schools, granting you access to a clinical ultrasound program.
There are various types of ultrasound technician specialties to choose from, depending on your personal area of interest in this medical technology field, and you can pursue your training at any of the ultrasound tech schools, either a vocational one, offering certificates and 2-year Associate degrees (for example Associate in Specialized Technology Degree), or 4-year colleges and universities, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Depending on the school, admission requirements may vary, some programs may require interviews, entrance assessments and prior allied health experience and credentials, but all ULTRASOUND TECH SCHOOLS require a high school diploma or a GED equivalency. Note that all ultrasound tech schools must be accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), but students who attend non-AAHEP-accredited ultrasound tech schools have the possibility of taking the ARDMS certifying exam after completing a year of work experience under the auspices of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).Generally the curriculum for ultrasound tech schools must cover, in addition to the coursework, hands-on training in sonographic physics and instrumentation, gray scale and color-flow Doppler sonography, medical ethics and terminology, human anatomy and physiology, basic obstetric and gynecologic sonography. Also, many ultrasound tech schools may require an unpaid externship in a professional ultrasound facility, working with sonographic professionals in order to gain experience in the field.
While most certificate and two-year Associate degree programs at ultrasound tech schools provide training for entry-level jobs in the field, you can get more senior jobs in specialized areas of diagnostic medical sonography, for example obstetric and gynecologic sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, abdominal sonography, vascular technology (blood flow, hemodynamics), neurosonology (brain and spinal cord). Ophtalmology or ophtalmic biometry require a four-year Bachelor’s degree.
Upon completion of an ultrasound technician program of one of the ultrasound tech schools, some technicians earn additional credentials, such as registration with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), while others prefer continuing their education credits though trade organizations, such as the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) or American Society of Neuroimaging.
Ultrasound technicians use sound waves to create images of a patient’s internal tissue and structures. Then the ultrasound technician must assist the physician in interpreting the imaging in order to provide the patient an accurate diagnosis. Also, as an ultrasound technician you will interact directly will ill patients, record their information prepare patiend histories, manage and maintain the facilities and equipment.
After graduating from one of the ultrasound tech schools, becoming registered through ARDMS (the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) will increase your credibility with potential employers at hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. More often then not, the ARDMS credential is being considered as a condition of employment for ultrasound technicians.