Sonogram Technician Education and Training
What Qualifications Are Required?
There are a number of different ways to enter the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Students may train in hospitals, vocational institutions, community colleges, universities, or the Army. Although two-year programs are most common, the length of training programs ranges from one to four years, depending on the level of the resulting certificate or degree.
Prerequisites vary between programs. Some only require a high school diploma or GED, while others require specific classes and qualifications. Some programs give preference to applicants with a science or healthcare background, but many will also consider college graduates with liberal arts backgrounds, or high school graduates with coursework in math and science.
What Can I Expect my Curriculum To Cover?
Students enrolled in an accredited sonogram training program can expect coursework in anatomy, physiology, and basic physics. They will also take courses in patient care, medical ethics, and clinical medicine, and sonogram-specific courses covering image evaluations, the applications of ultrasound, diagnostic procedures, and how to operate ultrasound equipment.
When choosing a training program, it is important to select a reputable program that is recognized as following the curriculum and clinical education guidelines outlined by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Training programs that meet ARDMS requirements must provide students time in patient-care settings, allowing them to apply the technical skills they have learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Accreditation
When searching for a reputable program, applicants should check the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the organization that accredits diagnostic medical programs in the United States. A list of accredited programs can be found on the CAAHEP website.
It is important to make sure that the program you choose is accredited rather than just the school, as programmatic accreditation is part of ARDMS' prerequisite policy, and thus of major importance to your future career. While institutional accreditation ensures the quality of an institution as a whole, programmatic accreditation guarantees that specific professional programs within that institution meet the appropriate standards. It is important to research the training programs you are considering attending, as you will need to meet the professional requirements in order to compete for desirable positions.
What Are the Licensing Requirements?
Although licensure in diagnostic medical sonography is not required in any state, most employers either require or will give preference to applicants who are certified through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. ARDMS proves the competency and expertise of a sonographer by examining and then awarding credentials to applicants. To become certified with ARDMS, applicants must pass a general physics and instrumentation examination, and an exam in a specialty area such as neurosonography, obstetrics sonography, or vascular technology.
Article Resources:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs