The world of medicine is one of the most rewarding that you can enter, both personally and financially. In that field, sonography is a perfect way to earn your living. You’ll be challenged every day, help scores of patients, and earn a great wage while doing it. There are numerous sonography schools out there ready to help you down this career path, but there’s a good chance that you have some questions about the various aspects of sonography and the education you need to enter the field. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
1. What is Sonography? – Sonography is the most commonly used diagnostic tool in medicine today. Used since the late fifties, it utilizes sound waves and their vibrations to create visual images. Physicians rely on it in virtually every discipline of medicine, from cardiology to obstetrics.
2. How Long Is the Education? – You can earn a degree in sonography within two years. Most sonography schools offer Associate’s Degrees in the field. You can also normally specialize in an area of sonography, which will add another year or so to your education.
3. Why Specialize? – While specialization isn’t necessary to become an ultrasound technician it can lead to better employment opportunities and higher salaries. You can specialize in cardiac, abdominal, obstetrics, neural sonography, and many more.
4. Can I Learn Online? – Sonography schools may offer some classes online to make learning easier. However, these are usually only general education courses like anatomy and ethics along with didactic sonography courses that teach you the basics of sonography. You’ll have to spend a good portion of your time in clinical duties and hands-on educational settings in order to fully complete the course.
5. Is my Degree Enough? – While most states don’t require you to be a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, earning your certification will make you much more likely to find employment. The exam is fairly simple for anyone who has undergone training form sonography schools and will help you tremendously.
6. Where Will I Work? – Hospitals employ most sonography technicians but private practices, clinics, and other medical organizations also have a need for them. You can find employment in a wide range of locations.
7. How Much Will I Make? – Ultrasound technicians often make well above the national average. Hourly wages are normally between twenty five and thirty two dollars an hour and annual salaries begin at around forty thousand and can reach eighty thousand or more annually depending upon location and experience.
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