Career Outlook For Becoming An Ultrasound Technician In 2015

An ultrasound technician, also known as a diagnostic medical sonographer operates special equipment and use sound waves for helping diagnose patient’s ailments. They work with physicians and patients directly. An ultrasound technician may specialize in vascular, gynecologic, obstetric, breast, abdominal, cardiac sonography.

Major Duties of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

• Managing and operating the ultrasound technical equipment.
• To identify high quality images for obtaining maximum output.
• Tracking the maintenance of equipment. In case any problems occur with the machinery, technician informs the issues to the technical department for alleviating the error in short span.
• Clarifying doubts of the patients and explain the procedure involved in ultrasound technology.
• Supervise and monitor the rooms and other required facilities with appropriate resources to make the patients feel more comfortable at the time of their treatment.

Career Outlook for Ultrasound Technicians in 2015

Along with being a highly-paid career, diagnostic medical sonography is expected to be a rapid growing occupation in the coming years. By 2018, The Bureau of Labor Statistic predicts an increase of 18 percent in jobs in this field and by 2020, an increase of 44 percent is expected. This is certainly a great news for those who want to adopt this career in 2015. This increase in jobs is due to wide availability of medical technology, the overall growth in the healthcare industry and also because many people are seeking non invasive procedures. In 2015, hospitals will be the largest employer of schools to become an ultrasound technician; however, new employment opportunities will be available in the outpatient care facilities. By the time technology advances, diagnostic labs and physician offices will be able to perform such prcedures which were once considered too complex for an outpatient facility.

According to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistic), job opportunities will be good for ultrasound technicians in 2015 with an accredited degree. Whereas, job prospects will vary by population growth and region, and ultrasound technicians who are willing to relocate for jobs will have more opportunities.

Educational Requirements

You can take many different routes to train for becoming an ultrasound technician. There are several bachelor degree programs that are four years long and medical diagnostic sonography programs that usually take two years to complete. If you are already working in a health care field then you can enroll in a one year certificate program and learn about the medical diagnostic sonography schools. Many employers also provide on-the-job training to employees who have experience in another health care career.

However, you can take courses in medical ethics, anatomy, patient care, physiology, basic physics and instrumentation in a formal training program. Not only this, you will also receive supervised clinical training.