Have you thought about working as an ultrasound technician in Indiana? This may be a rewarding position in the healthcare industry for many people. Those who work in this position may be in demand from a wide range of medical facilities, often working hand-in-hand with doctors and nurses to provide care for patients. Take a look at what it takes to become an ultrasound technician in Indiana.
What Does an Ultrasound Technician Do?
An ultrasound technician has specific skills to use ultrasound equipment. They work in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and doctor’s offices. Their main work involves operating an ultrasound machine by applying a wand over a patient’s skin. The machine’s high-frequency sound waves capture images of the tissues, internal organs, and structures. These images are then provided to a physician who diagnoses and treats a patient.
This may be done for many reasons, including monitoring pregnancy, analyzing breast and muscle tissue, examining the brain and spinal cord, and exploring the abdomen, heart, and other areas of the body.
Those working as ultrasound techs need to be tech savvy, and much of this comes from their education. Technicians also have to have good knowledge of human anatomy and be able to work well with patients during procedures. Ultrasound technicians work not just to operate the machinery for this type of imaging but also to interact with patients and help them through the process.
How Much Does an Ultrasound Technician Earn?
Working as an ultrasound technician may be a rewarding position for many reasons, especially for those who want to help people. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the 2020 median pay for someone in this field was $70,380 per year or $33.84 per hour. Many work full time, though some may take part time positions.
What’s more, there is significant demand for people within this field. From 2020 to 2030, there’s an expected need for an additional 19,100 people in this field, which is a 14 percent increase from 2020 to 2030. That’s faster than average. For many, this means finding work in the field will be likely with proven skills.
What Type of Education Is Necessary to Become an Ultrasound Technician?
There is quite a bit to learn to become an ultrasound technician, but most students can obtain that education within two years. This is done by completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This type of degree allows students to start working in the field quickly.
An ultrasound technician degree requires spending time on a variety of courses, including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Physiology
- Anatomy
In addition to your education in the classroom, you’ll also have hands-on labs and clinicals where you will work with patients. Some people may even go on to complete an externship where they will spend 12 months working in a facility providing these services to patients.
After completing your coursework and an externship in a medical setting, students complete a certification exam. This exam covers all of the skills you need to work in the field. Once passed, you can become certified. This certification is done through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. With this certification, you may be ready to start working in the field, providing ultrasounds for patients.
Completing Your Ultrasound Technician Skills at Caris College
The diagnostic medical sonography program at Caris College may help you prepare for your career as an ultrasound technician. Students may take one of two focuses in their degree here. The first is an Associate Degree in General Sonography. This degree allows a person to qualify to work in most hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other locations providing ultrasounds for many reasons.
The Cardiac Sonography Associate Degree is a bit different in that it provides the same training with a focus on cardiac care. Those who complete this educational path may want to work with cardiology in a hospital or doctor’s office setting.
Some of the skills you’ll learn include:
- Performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining the necessary images for doctors to use
- Assisting doctors in evaluating symptoms such as infection, swelling, and pain
- Producing real-time images of cardiac structures, internal organs, and tissues
- Evaluating narrowing of the heart valves or leaks in them
- Gathering data for physicians to make a diagnosis
Caris College provides excellent support for individuals completing the diagnostic medical sonography program. Take a closer look at how this high-demand field could help you work in a rewarding career path. Our accredited program is designed to provide you with the modern education you need to thrive in this area.