Ultrasound Technician Career Overview

Ultrasound technicians use specialized equipment uses sound waves that generate images for the assessment and diagnosis of medical conditions. Sonography is a subdivision of diagnostic imaging and is used for many different medical conditions other then the most widely thought use: viewing the fetus in the womb, it has many other applications for sonography. These images captured can be photographed, videotaped, or even transmitted for review by a physician.

There are many job duties that an ultrasound technician has including: operating the special equipment, explaining procedures to the patient, selecting the best images for the physician to use for their diagnosis, and adjusting and maintaining the specialized equipment. Technicians are also responsible for preparing work schedules, evaluating equipment purchases, and also may be responsible for the diagnostic imaging department.

When attending school to become an ultrasound technician you will learn a set of job skills you will need on the job. The unique set of job skills needed to complete your tasks include: being able to understand and operate complex medical equipment, communication skills with physicians as well as patient interaction skills, and an ability to put patients at ease. As an ultrasound technician you may also be required to have the ability to lift, turn, and assist patients before the exam can be preformed. Your attention to detail will be vital to accurately record and asses patient information. Keeping up your visual acuity will be an ongoing learning skill to correctly understand and select images for the physician to accurately diagnose the patient.

In addition to your training at a vocational-technical institution you will also receive on the job training in the hospital or clinic you choose to work at. The need for ultrasound technicians is expanding and is growing at a much faster rate than the average for most occupations in the medical field. The growth is due to the aging population, the increase of demand for specialized diagnostic imaging, and the desire of patients to use alternatives to invasive procedures such as radiology. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of technicians in this field but employment will grow with the rapid demand of physician offices and diagnostic centers.

With this growth in demand for ultrasound technicians you will find that the projected salary earnings will increase as there is more demand. Beginning salaries for ultrasound technicians earn around $48,660 to $66,680. Earnings can vary due to location, education and certification, and experience. Ultrasound technicians that work in physician offices or diagnostic imaging centers tend to earn between $3,000 and $10,000 more a year then those who choose to work in a hospital. Another factor for the average ultrasound technician salary is the number of specialties you have, the more specialties or skills you have the higher your pay.

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