Ultrasonography technology has seen a brisk development in the last few years. Why? It’s been attributed to the rising number of both doctors and patients who choose to use this imaging machine over devices that use radiation; it’s also less invasive than other methods. Due to the growth, there’s been a rising demand for ultrasound sonographers… a trend that’s expected to continue until the year 2016. Persons who want a rewarding medical career should consider a career in this area of employment.
If a person truly desires to become an ultrasound sonographer, they must earn their diploma or ultrasound degree… usually an associate or bachelor’s degree. It must be earned from a trustworthy ultrasound school that will fit their needs and has the program they desire to follow. Allied healthcare professionals are able to acquire a medical sonography certificate by signing up for a one-year ultrasound program. Persons interested in becoming a sonographer can find courses available at the following places:
- Colleges
- Universities
- Vocational schools
- Medical centers
- Hospitals
- Armed Forces
Before signing up for an ultrasound program, a prospective student will need to be sure that the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) has accredited it.
Those classes that are in the ultrasound program curriculum are conducted through official ultrasound courses and lab practice. With the help of instructors and ultrasound staff, students can gain the knowledge and skills they need and put to use in a genuine clinical experience. The National Education Curriculum (NEC) for Sonography designs the coursework that programs follow. These outlines are utilized communally or autonomously.
Before a prospective student applies for an associate or bachelor degree program, they should meet the prerequisites in terms of the general classes that should be taken. These are:
- Communications
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Medical Terminology
- Physics
- Psychology
- Statistics
They also need to take the following courses before they can move into the associate degree program:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Ethics
- Pathophysiology
- Patient Care
- Sectional Anatomy
For both the associate and bachelor degree programs, there is a specialty curriculum set forth. These classes include:
- Abdominal Sonography
- Cardiac Sonography
- Gynecological Sonography
- Obstetrical Sonography
- Vascular Sonography
When a sonographer has a bachelor’s degree, the career field is much more competitive. After all, it boosts his/her chances of moving up into a management position or into a certain specialization. Students in this four-year degree program will also need to take:
- Cultural Diversity in Health Care
- Economics
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Health Care Professional Studies
- Health Care Statistics and Research
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior
- Technical Writing
These classes were created with the hopes to prepare students on the emerging trends happening in ultrasonography. There’s also Advanced Topics in Medical Sonography and Clinical Practicum that students can take in the course program. When the student is in their senior year, they can choose what area to specialize and study in.