What does an Ultrasound Technician do?
Ultrasound Technicians typically work for hospitals, Physician’s offices or diagnostic laboratories to diagnose potential diseases, injuries or health conditions. They also use their equipment to check on the health of fetuses at different stages throughout a patient’s pregnancy. Their job is to use sonographic equipment to take pictures or videos throughout the appointment for further review by Physicians. They may also be responsible for sterilizing ultrasound equipment and exam rooms in between appointments.
Ultrasound Technician skills and qualifications
Some of the essential skills for an Ultrasound Technician are:
- Verbal communication skills
- Active listening skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Reading comprehension skills
- Interpersonal skills
Ultrasound Technician salary expectations
An Ultrasound Technician makes an average of $17.86 per hour. The exact pay rate may depend on the Ultrasound Technician’s level of experience, education and geographic location.
Ultrasound Technician education and training requirements
Ultrasound Technicians should have some formal education and training to be successful in the role. The most common training for Ultrasound Technicians is an associate degree program with coursework in human anatomy, ultrasound equipment, pathophysiology and obstetrics. Similarly, there are also one-year certificate or degree programs from technical and vocation schools, community colleges and certain universities. Some states require Ultrasound Technicians to be certified as part of their licensure requirements. To become certified, candidates must pass the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam and maintain their certification through continuing education.
Ultrasound Technician experience requirements
In addition to a formal education and certification, many Ultrasound Technician employers require at least 1 year of work experience with a reputable public or private medical center. Ultrasound Technicians should be experienced with acquiring medical histories, explaining procedures and facilitating positive patient experiences. They should be able to perform general, vascular and OB ultrasound sonographic examinations as well as assess patients to determine the right diagnostic protocols.
Job description samples for similar positions
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