Every person in a hospital, be it a physician, a nurse, a therapist, a pharmacist or a technician, plays a very important role in delivering patient care. It’s a joint effort and not one of these individuals can do the entire job single handedly. Talking about technicians, there are a variety of techs available at a hospital, who assist doctors in various medical processes. Some of them include radiology techs, surgical techs and ultrasound techs.
When we hear the word ‘ultrasound’, the first thing that comes to our mind is pregnancy. Likewise, ultrasound technicians seem to be conducting ultrasounds for various pregnancy related matters. But, the scope is not as limited. These technicians use specialized devices that produce sound waves. These waves help them to diagnose images of various parts of the body and that consequently facilitates in identifying the patients’ ailment and many other medical conditions. Considering such a procedure, it should be ensured that the ultrasound technicians are technically sound, detail-oriented and focused. Moreover, they should have excellent oral and written communication skills so that they are able to interpret the ultrasounds well. Also, since they deal with the patients on a one-to-one basis, it is essential that they be empathetic, personable and soothing so as to be able to put the patients at ease.
The basic duties of ultrasound technicians are:
- To record the medical history of patients
- To maintain details regarding the ultrasound exams, such as jackets, pathology files, daily logs, medical imaging requisitions, and patient charts
- To assist the patients during the ultrasound process
- To control and adjust, as required, the ultrasound equipment in order to capture the readings and images of the specific areas and angles of the patient’s body, as requested by the physician
- To ensure whether correct and visually strong images of the required areas have been captured
- To report the findings to the physician for diagnosis
Certification is not mandatory if one wants to become an ultrasound technician. However, to obtain better job opportunities, certification is definitely the key. The techs can train themselves at colleges, universities and hospitals. A background in science or health is a requirement considering the nature of the field. Graduates from accredited programs are basically taught anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, instrumentation and patient care. Institutions offer two-year and four-year programs, with the two-year program being the more common one. At the end of the program, students are given a Bachelor’s or as Associate Degree, which makes entry into this field easy. Students who intend to pursue their career in this field are generally ready to take the necessary required certification exam after graduating, the continuing education is a must to maintain the certification. These training programs also include internships where students learn how they should use the ultrasound equipment, how they should depict images and how they should analyze them. Moreover, students may also choose to specialize in particular areas/types of ultrasound such as in gynecology/obstetrics, neurosonography, echocardiography, etc.
Considering the importance of developing individuals in this field, various government agencies offer scholarships and financing options for students who intend to opt for a certification or continuing education in this field. Also, many hospitals and nursing homes finance their employed Ultrasound Technicians for pursuing part-time certifications so as to brush up their skills.
The demand for skilled ultrasound technicians is increasing by the day. The prime reason for this is that ultrasound is considered much safer than X-rays and MRIs and is, thus, becoming a preferred procedure. Another reason for the popularity of this job is the improvement in diagnostic medical equipment using sound waves. Due to this advancement, the use of this process has become more widespread in health institutions, thus opening the door of job opportunities for ultrasound techs in various hospitals, diagnostic centers, and physicians’ offices.
Because of the increased demand, the ultrasound technicians are earning well nowadays. They may earn from $25,ooo to $75,ooo annually depending upon their education, training, experience and the city/country where they are employed. Furthermore, becoming an ultrasound tech is a very good way of career advancement for students with the necessary background of study. This is because more people are seriously considering entering into the medical community, thereby increasing its scope. Moreover, the medical field has proven to be a stronger workplace that doesn’t get very shaky even in the midst of downward economic conditions. No matter what, health care will always be a priority for every person, and of every government as well. This makes the job of an ultrasound technician a job worth trying out for.
