Imagine arriving at work every day to take care of patients, working with physicians, and contributing toward uncovering diagnostic mysteries. As an ultrasound technician, you’ll do all that and more!
Opportunities for this career path are growing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career path will grow by 14% between 2018 and 2028. That’s much faster than the average, which is currently 5%.
If the job availability isn’t enough of a push, keep reading!
Here are five reasons to pursue ultrasound continuing education.
1. Ranging Responsibility
Doing the same thing day in, day out gets old fast. Instead of limiting yourself, consider continuing ultrasound education for your career path.
As an ultrasound technician or sonographer, you’ll wear many hats and have a list of responsibilities.
The day in the life as an ultrasound technician or sonographer includes:
- Preparing the examination room and necessary ultrasound equipment
- Caring for sonography equipment
- Reporting equipment failure
- Assisting radiologists with ultrasound procedures or guided biopsies
- Recognizing anatomy and pathology through imaging
- Writing reports based on examination results
- Alerting medical staff when necessary
- Using problem-solving and fast decision-making
- Aiding in the continued improvement of your patient’s health
You’ll also handle a few administrative tasks, such as taking phone calls, noting vital signs, taking patient histories, and scheduling. These office procedures are an important part of the process for ensuring ongoing patient care.
Working as a sonographer keeps you on your toes.
After taking an online ultrasound course, you can skip a bland office environment and get right into the excitement. Instead of sitting behind a desk all day, you can keep moving and experience something new every day.
If you’re not ready for the hectic atmosphere of the emergency room, working as an ultrasound tech is also a great compromise.
When you complete your ultrasound continuing medical education, you’ll step into a world of unending opportunities. No two days will feel the same, making every day an adventure!
2. Variety of Career Paths
When we hear the word “ultrasound,” we often think “pregnancies” first and foremost. Continuing ultrasound education actually opens the door to so many other sonographer jobs, though.
If you’re not interested in the OBGYN route, there are still many options available. You can also work with patients with different medical needs. These sonography specializations include:
- Abdominal
- Breast
- Vascular
- Cardiac
- Pediatric
- Fetal
As you complete your ultrasound CME, consider the different training routes you can take. What are your career goals? Continuing ultrasound education can lead you to unexpected routes in medicine.
You’ll also get the chance to work with other physicians and technicians in your field. Their experience may help you discover new opportunities and career paths you may not have considered before.
There are various work environments you can choose from. Consider applying to:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient facilities
- Non-profit organizations
- Private practices
Instead of feeling rushed off your feet by working in a hospital, you can choose a medical environment that better suits your preference.
The choice is yours!
3. Quick Training
There are various paths you can take to receive your ultrasound technology certification.
If you’re eager to start working and want to train quickly, choose a one- to two-year program. If you’d rather go far and advance in the field, there are also bachelor’s programs available.
Some facilities and hospitals even offer training, allowing you to fast track your certification.
Make sure to check for accredited training programs. That way, you can qualify for your American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® certification. This certification can launch your career to new heights!
Ultrasound continuing education can also expand your professional abilities beyond your core skills.
The healthcare field requires a lot from employees. In addition to your ultrasound CME training, you’ll also develop:
- Strong communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Office operations skills
- Skills for adapting to policy changes
Each skill you add to your repertoire can help give your resume a boost before you start job hunting. Expanding your skills will also make it easier for you to successfully do your job every day.
4. The Salary
Ultrasound technicians make a median annual salary of $55,270, or $26.57 an hour.
You were probably wondering about this one. This number depends on your specialization and where you work. For example, outpatient care centers have higher annual wages than a physician’s office.
After ultrasound continuing education, many people consider their goal wages versus their preferred work environment. You need to determine the specialization you want to pursue, too. You can learn more about the varying wage averages here.
Most sonographers and diagnostic imaging professionals work full time.
Keep that in mind as you consider your options.
5. Love What You Do
Finding “a job” isn’t enough. Don’t you want to love what you do?
If you want to love your work, make a difference in your patient’s lives, and learn a little every day, this is the career path for you. An ultrasound career also offers a great salary, but the real reward is the work itself.
Imagine watching first-time parents’ faces light up with joy when they see their baby’s image for the first time. As an ultrasound technologists, you can give patients just that.
Every day brings new opportunities for you to learn and grow, too! You can’t get that everywhere.
Working as an ultrasound technologist also keeps you in constant interaction with new people every day. You’ll work with physicians, co-workers, patients, and other technologists. These are people you can learn from and grow from as you rise in your career.
Unlike a data-focused job, you get to interact with people while delivering quality healthcare.
If that sounds like an adventure to you, then ultrasound education is the choice for you!
Ultra-Educated: Ultrasound Continuing Education
Ready to get ultra-educated? Pursue your ultrasound continuing education today to experience these five benefits firsthand. Working as an ultrasound technologist offers so many rewards you can’t experience elsewhere.
Keep up with your certification! Start testing today by using our online testing center for your continuing education needs.
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