Requirements for ultrasound tech schools. Are you thinking of a career as an ultrasound technician? Do you think your choice of ultrasound tech schools have a bearing on your outcome as a professional?
An ultrasound technician or technologist is one of the higher paid allied health care careers. X-rays used to be the diagnostic imaging equipment most used in the past. But there are dangers with radiation. The use of sound waves as imaging mode has become more acceptable because it poses no health risks.
The skills needed to become a qualified sonographer or ultrasound technician are a bit more complicated than operating x-ray machines. So more in-depth training is required. Also, ultrasound technicians have several choices for specialization to increase their level of expertise and earn higher wages. Specialize in more than one area and your ultrasound technician salary can go up to the vicinity of $80,000.
Even medical professionals like nurses and doctors need formal ultrasound technician training to operate the equipment. So an ultrasound technologist is truly an invaluable member of the diagnostic team and your value as a health care professional rises with formal training.
If you've narrowed your choices of ultrasound tech schools, your next step is to check the requirements for acceptance into their technician program. It is usually an associate degree program because of the level of skill you need to master for the job.
The Requirements
1. High school diploma. Ultrasound technician programs are offered at vocational schools or community colleges if you're looking at certificate or associate level degrees. They are also offered as associate or bachelor programs in colleges or universities. The minimum required for admission is a high school diploma or its GED equivalent. It still is a very technical course that requires a strong science background. So any advance courses in anatomy, physiology and physics while in high school will be to your advantage.
2. Exams and interviews. The demand for ultrasound technicians is increasing with an aging population and more medical professionals subscribing to sonography as a means of diagnosing medical conditions and diseases. It is a challenge for ultrasound tech schools to produce the best graduates that will qualify for certification and be up to the job. Granted you have an exceptional record in high school, some schools may still require an entrance examination and later on conduct interviews before finally approving your application. Other ultrasound tech schools may even give preference to those with prior allied health experience.
3. Externship. To become a highly skilled ultrasound technologist, schools require externship in a professional ultrasound facility. This means training with sonographic professionals without pay for a certain period of time. Your school may or may not assist you in seeking the facility so you must be prepared for this. Likewise, this is not necessarily within the school term so you may have to set aside additional time. Be sure how this arrangement will be handled when you decide on your training program.
On the flip-side, your choice of school should also take into consideration certain factors to ensure you will get the quality education required to become a professional.
1. Accreditation. Professional ultrasound technicians are recognized by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. But they will only recognize you as such if the school you attended is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Choosing accredited ultrasound technologist schools will be to your advantage, although you may still take the ARDMS certification exam if you completed training from a non-accredited school after gaining one year of work study experience under the auspices of the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
2. Quality of training. You will want a school that will give you the best training, not only in terms of classroom instruction or theoretical knowledge but more importantly, in the hands-on or clinical training. The more rigorous the training, the better to build your confidence and competence. And if class sizes are smaller, the more focus can be given to each student as they master the skills they require.
In the end, your goals and other factors like costs and convenience will help you determine which from among the ultrasound tech schools youíve narrowed down you will attend.
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