Ultrasound technicians primarily handle sonography equipment and perform imaging procedure, but it is not all what they do. Depending on where they are employed, the size of their employer’s clientele and their own certifications, an ultrasound technicians’ scope of duties and responsibilities may either require them to focus only on their core task, or encompass a larger one that includes administrative components.

But in a standard setting, what are ultrasound technician job description duties and responsibilities? The following list of duties is usually expected of an ultrasound technician.

Read physician request for sonographic procedure and determine which areas need to be imaged. Obtain patient information, usually patient history from a referring doctor, and enter information to database. Educate patient about imaging procedure and answer patient questions to their satisfaction. Position patient before or under an imaging device, depending on which areas need to be imaged.  Adjust patient and equipment for correct angle and accurate exposure.

Apply protective measures so diagnostic procedure is safe and performed according to industry standards (like asking patient to remove in their persons anything magnetic to prevent interference with equipment and distortion of results). Operate imaging equipment, either at patient bedside or at a fixed imaging room. This may involve preparing and applying solutions or lubricants to facilitate imaging and reduce distortions in sound waves.

Capture image manually or digitally and develop print-outs or negatives.

Label results with patient identification and keep record of results either manually or digitally.

Analyze image, check for any inconsistencies, take supplemental images to prove abnormalities, affix preliminary findings, issue results to requesting physician and clarify physician questions to their satisfaction.

Maintain imaging equipment, inspect for possible mechanical errors, run diagnostic tests to determine accuracy, perform minor repairs and make service calls when necessary.

In smaller clinics, outpatient centers, doctor offices and stand-alone diagnostic laboratories where sonographers perform other functions, what are other ultrasound technician job description duties and responsibilities? The following is a list of auxiliary tasks.

Welcome patient to the clinic and take their history.

Schedule patient appointments either on the phone, in person or via electronic mail.

Receive payment and issue receipts and log transaction to accounting books.

Receive incoming mail and process outgoing mail.

Ensure that clinic and other facilities are clean, sterilized and in excellent working condition.

Perform other administrative tasks as may be required by business operations.

In veterinary offices, ultrasound technicians may be additionally required to assist veterinarians in administering anesthesia on the subjects, transferring them to recovery rooms and educating animal and pet owners on proper care at home.

In larger settings like private and federal hospitals, ultrasound technicians may specialize in very narrow fields such as musculoskeletal, neural, obstetric and gynecological and abdominal sonography. Some may even move on to vascular sonography specializing in veins and arteries while others may opt to establish expertise in echocardiography.

What are the advantages of a 3D ultrasound over a 2D?

Is one superior over the other, or are they equally useful in terms of diagnostic applications? In obstetric sonography – ultrasound imaging on pregnant women – a 3D ultrasound renders the length, width and depth of the subject being scanned; in this case, the fetus. This means that parents do not just see outlines of the baby’s face or torso or feet; they see the unborn as though it were already delivered, albeit only digitally. (Three-dimensional ultrasound viewing cannot even be compared to pausing a video stream because the latter is only two-dimensional.)

In the recent past, two-dimensional ultrasound images allow the parents to see the unborn in hazy outlines, with its developing organs also silhouetted against the contours of the body. To achieve this, sonographers bounce low-frequency sound waves to the mother’s womb from one angle, and capture the signal back from the same angle. The result is an unflattering, but highly useful, image of the fetus. Compared with the lack of imaging technology in the past, this rather basic imaging technique – compared to today’s unbelievably high definition scans – prove crucial to catching abnormalities while they can still be corrected. Now, the same low-wave frequencies are bounced back from multiple angles and are captured by more sophisticated devices that then interpret the signal received and render it with depth, height and width. The result is a much clearer picture of the fetus that parents and doctors alike can easily examine for abnormalities: an unusual lump in the ear perhaps, or an unwanted cleft in the lips.

Given the capability of a 3D scanning device, it is clear that the advantages of a 3D ultrasound over a 2D are numerous:

Surface deformities are clearly indicated in a three-dimensional image that 2D cannot detect (because it is rendered in outline). This means that medical intervention can be performed even before birth which may possibly save the life of the unborn or increase the quality of its life in the future
Sex determination can be done as early as the 16^th week of pregnancy. Traditionally, obstetricians wait until the 20th week before they attempt to do such inspection, and they will, under normal circumstances, advise against sound wave incursion into the womb unless warranted by the medical condition of the mother or child or both. But a niche market of women who cannot wait for four more weeks has been bridged, with little sign of slowing down, despite lack of approval from the United States Food and Drugs Administration on the use of the sonographic device for purposes other than diagnosis.

Data volume. Admittedly, there is broader insight into the life of the unborn when viewed three-dimensionally than when done 2D. Doctors are able to determine the exact volume of amniotic fluid, for example, or bone shape abnormalities. Diagnostically speaking, this is the most critical advantage of a 3D image over a 2D since obstetricians are better able to derive firm conclusions from increased perspective. Anatomical views impossible from a 2D stand out far better in 3D which means that the more data there is to evaluate, the better the quality of the doctor’s diagnosis.

Emotional connection. Despite modern society’s forward thinking on unwanted pregnancy, there are still women who decide against carrying the fetus to full term. With the aid of a 3D ultrasound image, however, planned abortions have been “aborted” simply because single mothers were able to visually confirm that what they conceive inside is a moving, breathing being, and not just a clump of cells which happened to take the form of a primitive mammal. By seeing a growing person in utero, they were able to decide against terminating their pregnancies.

Emotional value. Three-dimensional ultrasound images bring immense joy to parents who see their unborn in the womb for the first time. Nothing seems to be more relevant to the 3D ultrasound technology than the fact that it allows parents to glimpse into the inner world of the fetus and feel excitement over their ability to procreate.

What Accreditation Status Should I Look For When Searching For Ultrasound Tech Schools Online? Entrants to the field of sonography often ask “What accreditation status should I look for when searching for Ultrasound Tech Schools Online?” Accurately addressing this question is critical because accreditation is required to sit in for certifying examinations. While certification is not yet required in a vast majority of the states, being certified to practice in the field of sonography is desirable for employers who prefer to have competent medical staff on board. In addition, clinics, hospitals, care centers, to mention a few, are also regulated by governing bodies who in turn require that their personnel are professionally certified. Hence, certification from this broader perspective is actually not just a matter of market desirability; it is a professional requirement to ensure that the state, through the oversight of accrediting agencies and certifying bodies, provide its citizens the best medical care possible.

To achieve this, standards in medical sonography have to be established and enforced so that ultrasound technicians, regardless of their location, exercise their professions according to national guidelines and industry best practices. These standards and guidelines are determined by, evaluated and improved upon by a governing body acknowledged by the state as the authority in the field. In the case of ultrasound technicians, this governing body is the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. To be certified by the ARDMS, an applicant to the field must satisfy established criteria before being allowed to sit in for certifying examinations. The criteria are typically divided into two components: didactic and clinical.

Like any field of endeavor, an applicant must possess the right knowledge and apply that knowledge in a clinical setting, either as an on-the-job-training component of a school-based course, or as an actual occupation. Because getting into the field of sonography entails following several paths most applicable to the person concerned, ARDMS provides several mechanisms with which to accept a candidate to sit in for a certifying exam. The easiest thus far is to obtain an accredited allied health course – ideally a course leading to, at least, an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – accredited by CAAHEP.

ARDMS requires that the course be recognized by this agency because CAAHEP – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program – is by far the largest accrediting agency recognized by the government. CAAHEP accreditation is most desirable because the students are trained in a manner that mimics actual situations encountered by practitioners in the field, thus fast-tracking training while ensuring that students are completely equipped with knowledge and practical know-how to handle similar situations in real life. This eliminates the need of the students to complete separate hands-on training outside of the campus.

More often than not, CAAHEP accreditation is bestowed upon courses that are campus-based. Given the ease, however, with which things are accomplished remotely these days, colleges and universities are increasingly becoming aware that their potential students may be working part time and want to earn credits on the side. By opening up their gates to this student segment, they increase their enrolment and help provide much needed workforce to the health sector that is at present short-handed.

Schools who want to take advantage of this need can radically increase their student population by offering online programs that allow the completion of ultrasound technician courses online. This set-up enables the remote student to satisfy the didactic component of the course and reduce the time spent on-campus. Because the clinical component is hands-on, students still need to attend in person learning sessions conducted on campus or via externships.

As a result of the need of the industry, a flurry of online programs are being offered to prospective students. Some students however readily jump to such offers without carefully considering the accreditation status of the schools that offer such programs.

To ensure you get accepted by ARDMS to sit in for a certifying examination, a student should complete a CAAHEP accredited course, and not just complete such a course in a CAAHEP accredited institution. In the former scenario, it is the course itself that is aligned with ARDMS requirements, while in the latter, it is the school as a whole that is regulated by CAAHEP, which means that they may have some programs accredited by CAAHEP, but not all. So in answer to the question “What accreditation status should I look for when searching for ultrasound tech schools online?,” the best answer is to enroll in a program – not just school – accredited by CAAHEP.

What are the prerequisites for becoming an ultrasound tech? Can anyone interested in the field of sonography just complete any allied health or medical course and apply for a job in an ultrasound clinic? The short answer is no. Like any profession that relies on accurate knowledge, the lack of which might result to the detriment of the patient, medical sonography is a field that requires adequate training before entry to the field. The academic training may not be as intense as those fields of higher medical specialization, but entrants are nonetheless expected to possess a set of qualities that has to be achieved after a completion of accredited academic program.

It is true that a four-year graduate of a medical course is more didactically equipped than a two-year associate graduate, but unless the former has been trained to handle sonography equipment, he or she would have to start from the ranks and learn to handle the equipment for at least 500 hours of externship or actual occupation. On the other hand, an associate degree holder of a health course focused on sonography would have better chances of landing in an entry-level job than the one with longer academic training but no hands-on experience. Unless the bachelor’s degree holder completes a set number of hours in an ultrasound clinic handling equipment and performing sonography procedures on a patient, he or she will have lower chances of getting employed than the one who has completed an accredited course.

Certifying bodies, however, understand that not all those who enter the sonography profession do so from square one: Some may come from an allied field in health, while some shift from a non-medical course to diagnostic sonography. As such, pre-requisites to become an ultrasound technician can be satisfied using various pathways. First, there is the issue of which body you want to get certified with. Presently, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography is the largest certifying authority in the field. Other medical professional associations also offer such certification, although their focus may be in a related field such as radiology. The American Registry for Radiology Technologists offers similar certification to those who want to become ultrasound technicians, with option to expand their careers into more advanced imaging disciplines down the career lane.

Finally, pre-requisites depend heavily on where the applicant intends to practice sonography. If he or she plans to do so in New Mexico, then entry requirements to the field are much more stringent than other states because New Mexico requires entrants to pass their licensure examinations. Sitting in for licensure examinations has an entirely different set of requirements from sitting in for a certifying examination administered by ARDMS.

In the absence of a licensure examination, ARDMS certification is highly recommended as a substitute. An applicant who decides to get registered with ARDMS then needs to comply with their pre-examination requirements. There are various ways with which to sit in for a certifying exam, but the most straightforward is to complete a CAAHEP-accredited course. In most cases, these courses (that are focused on sonography) can be finished in as little as two years, inclusive of clinical experience.

CAAHEP accreditation is highly desirable, in as far as registration with ARDMS is concerned, because CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program) courses are aligned with the didactic and clinical requirements of ARDMS, saving the student time and effort and finances in completing both coursework and on the job experience. Outside of CAAHEP accredited courses, ARDMS has a different set of requirements, which are longer and more stringent.

For example, a graduate of a non-CAAHEP accredited course has a medical degree in physical therapy. In terms of coursework, ARDMS considers this quality as satisfactory. But because this academic program has no intensive training in the use of sonographic equipment, the student will have to be required to complete at least 100 sonographic  procedures in a clinical setting. This can be accomplished by signing up with a campus program that offers clinical training, or by getting a job in actual ultrasound clinic.

If the applicant opts to get certified by ARRT, or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, then a different set of criteria will have to be met. Unlike ARDMS, ARRT itself partners with schools, both online and on-campus, which they accredit to train students didactically and clinically. Thus, all a student needs to do to be ARRT-certified is to complete a sonography course in an ARRT accredited school. Then he or she should pass the certifying examinations administered by ARRT.

For who wish to practice in New Mexico, he or she would have to satisfy the licensure requirements of the state, which includes but is not limited to, completing at least a two-year course, and completing a set number of sonographic procedures within a specified period after completing the academic coursework. Only then will an applicant be allowed to sit in for a licensure exam.

In this instance, a successful examinee is designated as a licensed sonographer, whereas those certified by ARDMS or ARRT are designated as ARDMS or ARRT-certified or registered. While not all ultrasound clinics require license or certification, it is highly desirable to earn one for better marketability. So in answer to “What are the prerequisites for becoming an ultrasound tech?” the answers is, it depends on where you want to be certified or with whom.

Understandably, aspirants who want to enter the field of sonography would want to know ultrasound technician information about the job. Like any other professional who wants to adequately prepare for their career, learning as much as one can about what lies ahead builds confidence and makes the journey ahead less unpredictable. Understanding what the job really entails allows the prospective entrant to determine if the job suits his personality, lifestyle choices, financial needs or all of the above.

As the job designation implies, an ultrasound technician is someone who handles sonographic equipment which uses low-frequency sound waves to examine patient body parts in order to uncover the nature of illness or the health status of the fetus in pregnant women. While the primary duty of an ultrasound technician lies in this brief and often impersonal interaction with the patient, it is by no means the only important one in the technician’s job description.

Equally important are the ancillary duties of an ultrasound technician in making sure that the sonographic equipment performs according to standard (manufacturer) specifications so the procedure can be performed correctly. This means that maintaining and properly storing the equipment is also the responsibility of an ultrasound technician. Because it is the technician who performs the procedure, he is likely to do the data gathering and sometimes even the record-keeping. Hence, collecting data, making sure they are correct, and keeping them confidential is as much part of an ultrasound technician’s job as performing the actual sonographic procedure itself.

In smaller clinics, the sonographer is expected to do more beyond his or her official duties. He or she may also have to keep the books, evaluate purchases related to maintaining and/or procuring ultrasound equipment and auxiliary components, record the depreciation of imaging equipment, perform minor repairs on the equipment, make service calls when repairs require manufacturer technician, and keep the clinic clean and conducive to clinic operations.

In fact, ultrasound technicians may altogether perform duties that are unrelated to the medical aspect of their jobs. In the absence of the clinic manager, for example, the ultrasound tech may have to take calls, receive and dispatch mail, schedule appointments, release checks, receive payments, issue receipts and balance the day’s cash on hand. In short, an ultrasound technician may fill in another position in the latter’s absence. This is the typical practice in small clinics or hospitals. The smaller the setting, the more varied the ultrasound technician’s job duties. The reason, of course, is more economic in nature than anything else.

But the opposite is also true. The larger the hospital or setting, the more specialized the job of an ultrasound technician; the more he can focus to his core responsibility, which includes performing the actual procedure, equipment preparation and storage, patient interaction and post-session patient management. Record keeping and data collecting in this scenario is relegated to a specific position.

Those who want to learn more about ultrasound technician information about the job would come to realize that an ultrasound tech’s job description varies from industry to industry, albeit the core job duties remain constant. For example, a veterinary sonographer may not just handle the equipment and perform the procedure, but also prepare the animals for the procedure itself. This would require sedating the patients among other things. In animal bio-research facilities, the ultrasound technician may also have to tend to the grooming needs of the stock, assist he veterinarian in data collection tasks for research, and prepare reports.

Even in the field of human medicine, a sonographer’s job varies from clinic to clinic. In a setting mainly devoted to obstetrician sonography, a tech’s job may largely focus on checking the pregnant mother for the health of her fetus using sound waves. In an oncologist’s clinic, the focus of diagnosis would be on tumors and other abnormalities in tissue growth. Ultrasound technician in childcare clinics may devote most of their time performing diagnostic procedures on children with congenital heart disease. While actual procedures are standard, the personal qualities and other sets of skills required to do the job efficiently are task-dependent.