Babies, Hearts, and Arteries Meet Compassionate Patient Care, Pathways to Early Disease Detection, and Passionate Artists of Advanced Imaging Technology
What do obstetrics, diagnosis of heart issues, compassionate patient-centered care, early disease detection pathways and mastery of the art and science of high tech imaging technologies all have in common?
You guessed it! It’s Ultrasound, also known as the allied health care field of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound. The professionals who are trained and registered to practice in this field are titled Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, or Sonographers for short. Sonographers master the operation of highly specialized medical equipment that allows diagnostic professionals to literally ‘See with Sound’.
How do you enter the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound field?
The Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program at The College of Health Care Professions is a perfect place to start! We will train you to become a highly sought-after professional and leader in the field of diagnostic ultrasound. You will learn not only the art and science of diagnostic medical ultrasound so that you may pass your registry examinations, you will also receive in-depth training in how to be a highly skilled healthcare professional and a credit to the field of diagnostic ultrasound. The College of Health Care Professions – Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program follows an accredited curriculum based upon the National Education Curriculum for Sonography (NEC). The NEC is the work product of a national consensus conference involving eighteen sonography-related professional organizations.
What are the current specialties that a diagnostic ultrasound professional may become registered in?
The professional organization that sets practice standards and offers registry examinations for diagnostic ultrasound in the United States is the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). After passing an Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation exam, one may become registered in the following ultrasound specialties: Abdomen, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Breast, Fetal Echocardiography, Vascular Technology, Musculoskeletal, Adult Echocardiography, Pediatric Echocardiography and Neurosonology.
In addition to high quality training, what personal characteristics do you need to succeed as a Diagnostic ultrasound professional?
According to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the following are the top qualities and abilities of a great sonography professional:
Detail Orientation:
o Ability to comprehend and interpret written material.
o Ability to follow written instructions and think critically without assistance.
o Ability to accurately perform the sequential sonography examination steps unassisted
o Mastery of sonography related anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
Great interpersonal skills:
o Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, staff and patients
o Ability to interact and verbally communicate with others calmly and rationally
Flexibility of mind and personality:
o Ability to learn and function in a variety of academic and workplace environments
Compassion and caring for individuals in clinical diagnostic situations:
o Ability to display emotional stability, maturity, judgment and empathy for others
Key physical characteristics:
o Excellent hand eye coordination
o Physical and mental stamina and endurance
What about the U.S. job outlook for Diagnostic Ultrasound professionals?
At a 44% growth rate predicted between 2010-2020 by the US Department of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound is the most rapidly growing allied health profession. This profession also scores far above the average growth rate for all professions listed with the BLS.
Sonographers are found in hospitals of all sizes, private offices, clinics, and mobile ultrasound practices. In addition to direct healthcare settings, manufacturers of ultrasound machines often need ultrasound clinical applications specialists to help market, sell, and demonstrate their machines.
If you see your personal and professional goals represented in the information about Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound listed here, we invite you to check in with one of the Admissions Advisors for The College of Health Care Professions.
