Ultrasound technicians are also called as the sonographers and they use the specialized sound wave equipments to create the images of the various internal organs that generally include eyes, brain, abdomen and breast for purpose of the medical treatment and diagnosis. Ultrasound technician will complete the formal training program and the candidates have several options for completing the certification programs, they earn the bachelor's degree or the associate degree.  

 

Certificate:

The ultrasound technician must attend the formal training program and the candidates will generally select to complete the certification program in ultrasound technology and is available through the technical and vocational schools and the hospitals. A time period of 12 months is required to complete the certification programs and is not always accredited by the CAAHEP. The ultrasound technician who has attended the CAAHEP accredited program is eligible for the certification through the ARDMS which will ultimately increase the earning potential, advancement and the candidate's employment.          

Bachelor's degree:

The ultrasound technician who aspires to perform the specialized procedure is required to earn the bachelor's degree. The students are taught about how to perform the advanced ophthalmology, neurosonology, vascular technology, abdominal sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, gynecology sonography and obstetric. 

GED Equivalent or the High School Diploma:

The ultrasound technicians must have the GED equivalent or the high school diploma. The students who are interested in planning the career in ultrasound technology are advised to undergo the courses in physics, mathematics, health, chemistry, biology and English. The future ultrasound technicians must undergo the courses in foreign languages and they have to assist the patients who are from the various ethnic backgrounds. Based on the types of formal sonography programs the students select to attend and they have various standardized tests which include COMPASS, ACT, SAT or the HESI college assessment examination.      

Associate Degrees:

The ultrasound technicians generally complete the education and the training program by earning the 2 year associate degree from the community university or college.  More than 150 ultrasound technology training programs are available to support the students in achieving their goal. The students are generally instructed in various fields like medical terminology, ethics, color flow Doppler ultrasound technology, gray scale technology, instrumentation, sonographic physics, patient care, physiology and anatomy. The students undergo courses in the abdominal ultrasound and in the small parts, the basis gynecology and obstetric ultrasound, ultrasound physics, vascular ultrasound, pathophysiology of heart, physiology of heart, anatomy of heart, sectional anatomy and vascular ultrasound.