Radiology Forums

jodo · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Greetings.

Here's the ditty,. I'm a 42 year old female who wants to start a new career and understands that there is a high market need for Ultrasound techs, which has been an interest of mine.

First am I too old to start into any program? Further am I correct to assume that most programs are 2 years long?

We all know that income is important but there seems to be a mesh of information pertaining to income levels. An aprox start income is?

Lastly, if I can relocate anywhere in the country to go to school and as I understand it these schools are competitive, which one can anyone suggest that is certainly certified one of the easiest to gain access. My back ground is NOT medical and in fact I only have an associates in business - however I've worked in the business environment for years and have been successful just burned out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 556 Location: CT

First off, I encourage all adult learners to return to school for new career options, whatever they are. You are never too old to learn anything, and imaging is no different.

Yes, most programs run full-time for 2 years. It isn't something that can be learned part-time - the dual requirements of academic education coupled with clinical practice need time and attention.

Already having an associate degree means that you don't need another one. You can certainly go the community college route if you wish, but there are a few hospital-based programs left out there that do not offer college-credit. But, as long as their programs are accredited, they do provide a certificate and make one eligible to take the national certification exam. Whatever you do, make sure that the program you want to attend it accredited - if it is not, you won't be allowed to sit the exam. And that would be a waste of two years.

There are currently two certifying agencies for sonography. The ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists ... all imaging modalities grew out of radiography) Their site, containing a list of all accredited sonography schools is here - http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes

The other is the ARDMS (The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography), which began in 1975 and their website is here: http://www.ardms.org They provide the exam to become a certified Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. You can find a list of accredited school on the CAAHEP (Comission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs) here: http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx

In imaging, salaries vary widely by region and state. There are multiple websites which give salary info. For imaging professions, try here: the ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists): http://www.asrt.org/content/RTs/SurveyResults/WageandSalarySurvey/WageSalSurvey2004.aspx

Good luck!
hjh

jodo · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Thank you for the info - I appreciate your time in addressing my concerns. Initially when I started college it was for speech pathology and although I have thought about revisiting the interest, the time required to get my grad degree along with its poor pay schedule has made me look into other viable alternatives.

My main concern in approaching study in Ultrasound is that the position will hold enough of my interest. I enjoy one/one interaction with people along with a diverse and fast paced enviroment. Furtherr, I enjoy knowing that i have impacted another's life directly and I'm not sure all of these req will be met in this field. Would you be kind enough to share further input?

NOTE: A good friend of mine tells me I'm crazy and that I ought to look into studying to become a PA.
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Jodo

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 556 Location: CT

I think your friend is off base. Everyone feels differently and this is just my opinion ... but. If I were going to become a PA? I'd go whole hog and compete for medical school. That's just me. But I don't have the time or commitment necessary for that.

I think you'll find that you have significantly more one/one interaction with patients in songraphy than in traditional radiography because the average ultrasound takes longer. Additionally, I don't know if you've ever had an ultrasound, but the procedure itself (regardless of the focus of the exam) is a much more intimate experience.

Ultrasound is extremely challenging - songraphy is the only one of the imaging modalities that is totally operator dependant. In other modalities, with some exceptions, if the body part is well demonstrated in the image, pathology won't be missed. No so with ultrasound - "finding" what's there depends upon the skill and experience of the songrapher. And like other imaging modalities, the field changes almost as rapidly as we can talk about it.

I did US for a short time in the 1980's. I was pretty young then, and I was more interested in trauma-induced adrenaline and I wound up working 3rd shift in a trauma center.

Anyway. Good luck in whatever you do.
hjh

ashmartin07 · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 11

Hi, I am currently a senior u/s student at MCG in augusta ga. Most programs are two years. I will have my b.s., although most programs are associate degrees. You can bet on starting out in the 40Ks, depending on location. I live in augusta, and i take call and started out at 20/hr plus shift diff. when i was only a junior. You can go to salary.com for salaries and google "occupational outlook handbook" and that will tell you a lot about different careers. The programs are full time and vigorous. My school is exceptionally hard but i love it. We are taught all aspects, and not just modality. As far as u/s keeping your attention; it is so interesting! I have seen things that even the radiologists were stunned by. I have seen a pt about to code, dealt with 15 y/o stroke victims, etc. It is hard at first to put it aside, but once you do the pathologies are so interesting to learn about and see! Now, as a sonographer, you will get one on one time, but if you are looking for a higher status or a bigger part in follow up, diagnosis, etc, then you may want to consider med school or pa. Hope this helps!