Ultrasound Careers

An ultrasound technician works in the medical field primarily as an imaging specialist. A technician operates sonography equipment that creates images of a patient’s internal organs including those in the abdomen, chest cavity, and brain. Ultrasound technology has made it possible to record images of the eyes, thyroid, muscles, and bones as well. Ultrasounds are used for diagnosing a variety of medical conditions.

What could an ultrasound technician do?
The jobs of an ultrasound tech vary, and each technician performs tasks according to his or her related field of study. Depending on the field, a technician may need to obtain and record images of the patient’s brain, heart, or abdominal organs like the kidneys, pancreas, and gallbladder. Some technicians may perform ultrasounds on pregnant women to measure and record the growth of a developing fetus.

The ultrasound technician operates the equipment that photographs the patient’s internal structure. He or she records any measurements, stores the image, and assists the doctor in interpreting the image. The technician also interacts with the patient directly by obtaining medical history information and preparing the patient for the ultrasound. An additional task of the ultrasound tech is to maintain the equipment.

What settings do ultrasound technicians work in?
Ultrasound technicians can work in a number of settings. The location that a technician works may depend on the area of expertise the individual has studied. Many technicians choose the fast pace of hospitals, because the demand for their services is high in that venue. Others may wish to work in more relaxed settings like physician’s offices, medical labs, or diagnostic labs. Some choose to work in mobile imaging units.

What is the outlook for an ultrasound tech?
An ultrasound technician’s salary ranges from $50,000.00 to $70,000.00 per year. Some technicians make up to $85,000.00 per year after receiving the highest level of training. If you are considering an ultrasound technician career, you can take a career assessment to determine if it’s right for you. With a two or four year training course, you will learn anatomy, physiology, and how to operate ultrasound instruments. You will also learn about medical ethics and patient relations.

A career as an ultrasound technician is not only lucrative, it can be satisfying as well. If you choose a career in this field, you may reap many rewards. You can take pleasure in helping others while working in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry. The need for ultrasound technicians is continuously growing, and every year more people are discovering the excitement of working in this field.

Medical and healthcare careers related to the medical testing careers:
• Diagnostic
• Medical Lab
• Radiologic

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The growth outlook for Ultrasound careers is estimated at about 18% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Ultrasound jobs are expected to grow at a 78% higher rate than the national average for annual salaries.