Become an Ultrasound Technologist

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What’s in a name?

• Sonographer• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer• Scanner• Ultrasound Technologist– Ultrasound “tech”

• Ultrasound Technician

Description of the Profession

What is Sonography?What does a Sonographer

Do?What are the Career

Opportunities?

What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

It is a perfect blend of Art and Science.Very operator dependent.

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What is Sonography?Ultrasonography, commonly

called Sonography, is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.

What is Sonography?

Sonography can be used to examine many parts of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, female reproductive system, prostate, heart, and blood vessels.

Obstetrics

Obstetrics

Gynecology

Abdomen

Vascular

Cardiac

Echocardiography

Obstetrics

Procedures

The process involves placing a small device called a transducer against the patient’s skin near the body part to be imaged. The transducer works like a loudspeaker and microphone because it can both transmit and receive sound.

What is Sonography?

The transducer sends a stream of high frequency sound waves into the body that bounce off the structures inside.

The transducer detects sound waves as they bounce off the internal structures.

What is Sonography?

What Does a Sonographer Do?

Hmmmmm

What Does a Sonographer Do?

A diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.

What Does a Sonographer Do?

Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures.

They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill.

There are several areas of specialization in the field of

Sonography. Abdomen-evaluation of

all the soft tissues, blood vessels and organs of the abdominal cavities (for example, liver, spleen urinary tract, pancreas)

Breast-frequently used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening or diagnostic mammography.

Obstetrics/Gynecology-evaluation of the female reproductive system

Vascular Technology-evaluation and analysis of the hemodynamics (blood flow) of peripheral and abdominal blood vessels.

Neurosonography evaluation of the brain and spinal cord.

Ophthalmology-evaluation of the eye. Including orbital structures and muscles.

Echocardiography-evaluation of the anatomy and hemodynamics (blood flow) of the heart, its valves and related blood vessels.

Professional Responsibilities

Obtaining and recording an accurate patient history

Performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining diagnostic images

Analyzing technical information

Using independent judgment in recognizing the need to extend the scope to the procedure according to the diagnostic findings.Providing an oral or written

summary of the technical findings to the physician for medical diagnosis

Providing quality patient care

Collaborating with physicians and other members of the health care team.

Technical Standards Lift more than 50 pounds routinely Push and pull routinely Bend and stoop routinely Have full use of both hands, wrist and shoulders Distinguish audible sounds Adequately view sonograms, including color

distinctions Work standing on their feet 80% of the time Interact compassionately and effectively with the

sick or injured Assist patient on and off examining tables Communicate effectively with patients and other

health care professionals Organize and accurately perform the individual steps

in a Sonographic procedure in the proper sequence.

What is required to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

• A knowledge of pathology and physiology (human anatomy and physiology).

• Good analytical and problem solving skills.• Good interpersonal skills.• Compassion, high degree of personal integrity and

professionalism.

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What are the Career Opportunities?

Sonographers, Echocardiographers, and Vascular Technologists can choose to work in clinics, hospitals, private practice physician offices, public health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings performing examinations in their areas of specialization.

Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc.

Full-time, part-time, and per diem positions are available.

A sonographer must be willing to be on call.

What are the Salaries for Sonographers?

In addition to excellent career opportunities, salaries for sonographers are competitive with or higher than other professionals with similar levels of education.

According to the SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey report (released March, 2005); the median salary for sonographers is $61,984. This income includes: 1) hourly salary, 20 overtime, and 3) on-call pay.

The typical hourly pay rate is $29. The typical number of overtime hours

worked per week by sonographers is 3.

Ultrasound Programs

Choose carefully…

Where to start looking for a school?

• Start here:– CAAHEP• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health

Education Programs• Caahep.org

– JRC-DMS• Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic

Medical Sonography• Jrcdms.org

An Associate in Science Degree is the standard

Education needed prior to attending an Ultrasound program

• Accredited programs require a high school diploma and a sound academic standing in high school English, algebra and biology. An understanding of computers and technology is also a necessity.

Admission RequirementsMay vary depending on program type

• High School transcript/GED• College Transcript (if attended college)• Three letters of reference• Application essay• SAT score• TEAS score (Entrance Test)• College placement test/if required

Do You Want to Become a Registered Sonographer?

If the student wants to become a ‘registered’ sonographer upon graduation, the student needs to know the accreditation status of the education program before they apply for admission to the program.

Increasingly, employers require their sonographers to become registered or hire only registered sonographers.

Registration• Taking a test to show that you have the ability to perform

competent diagnostic tests on humans.• You may be asked to take many tests

– ARDMS (The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)• SPI-Sonography principles and Instrumentation• Specialty exam (Ab, Ob/Gyn, Br, RVT, RDCS, …)• ARDMS.org

– CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) • cci-online.org

– ARRT(S) – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – Sonography Primary• arrt.org

General Educational Phase (Includes CAAHEP and AS Required Courses) Courses may vary depending on Program type

• Medical Terminology• Patient Care• Anatomy and Physiology Part I• Anatomy and Physiology Part II• English Composition I• English Composition II• College Algebra • Statistics • Elements of Physics• Psychology • Sociology• Introduction to computers• Pathophysiology• Humanities Elective

Professional PhaseCore Courses may vary depending on program type

• Health Care Today (on-line)• Introduction to Sonography• Cross-Sectional Anatomy• Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I and II• Ultrasound of the Abdomen I and II• Ultrasound of the Female Pelvis (Gynecology)• Obstetrical Sonography I and II• Ultrasound of Superficial Structures I and II

• Vascular• Breast• Neurosonography• Musculoskeletal

• Registry Review• Clinical Sonography I, II, III, IV, & V

What Are the Job Opportunities?

• For the present graduates, there are many opportunities around the country. There are shortages particularly in the Midwest and in the South. The market in New Jersey is tighter due to the number of schools in this area. However, with baby boomers about to retire, shortages of sonographers are even predicted for New Jersey.

In conclusion• Sonographers must possess:– the ability to empathize with a patient while remaining

focused on the completion of the examination. – a strong background in anatomy and physiology – excellent communication skills.– problem solving and critical thinking skills– ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Characteristics needed to be a sonographer

• Leadership and organizational skills

• People skills• Patience• Flexibility • Compassion • Problem-solving skills• A sense of humor• The ability to stay calm in a crisis

What does it take to be a successful Ultrasound Student?

• Be sure to speak up so that you can have as much “hands-on” time as possible/

• Be ready to take criticism, sometimes harsh, at something you may be proud of.

• Be ready to spend many hours every night and weekends studying material for your courses.

• Be ready not to be discouraged by negative minded technologists.

• Be sure your family and friends are ready to support your endeavor.

• Be ready to adapt (be flexible) with each new clinical internship (clinical assignment).

• Be ready to consider all the time involved (including drive, class, and study time).

• Be ready to practice, practice, practice your scanning skills. The techniques to be successful clinically may be more difficult than the bookwork.

• Be sure to be very patient, with yourself and others.• Be sure to have a high level of motivation and self-direction.• Be ready for a rigorous, challenging program.Ask yourself…’Am I ready for this challenge? Do I have the

initiative to strive for excellence?’

In conclusion Love what you do

Whatever it is!!!!