Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Career
The sonography field has widely benefited from new technology and innovations the past few years, making it an interesting career choice for many.
A diagnostic medical ultrasound career would allow you to work in the setting of your choice. Technicians work in hospitals, private clinics, laboratories, and even in mobile services. As a technician, you would perform ultrasound on patients in order to detect a variety of medical conditions. While the physician is responsible for interpreting the ultrasound's results, the diagnostic medical ultrasound technician must have the ability to explain the procedure to the patient, answer questions, complete a medical history profile, conduct the ultrasound test, and perform a preliminary analysis of the findings. Excellent interpersonal and empathic skills are required to deal with patients in a professional and respectful manner.
There are many ways in which to enter this field of practice. Some institutions such as hospitals and vocational schools offer diagnostic medical programs. However, not all lead to proper accreditation. Since there is no official licensing process to become a diagnostic medical ultrasound technician, you could still find work, but if you wish to have higher pay and better job prospects, going the registration route is recommended.
If you choose this field of study, completing a 2-year associate's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree within an accredited program is a foolproof way of accessing some of the best employment opportunities within the discipline. You could qualify to work within various specialties such as abdominal, breast, cardiac, obstetric, neurology, or vascular sonography.
Many employers will prefer to hire candidates who passed the certification exam of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). In order to access the exam, you will be required to achieve a certain level of clinical experience, which an accredited program will provide as part of the curriculum.
Both the social and technical aspects of a diagnostic medical ultrasound career are equally important. With more doctors referring patients for sonography testing instead of radiography, this field is expanding at a rapid pace.
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