Getting into Ultrasound Tech School

Getting into an ultrasound tech school program is incredibly competitive.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that diagnostic medical sonographers have a high job security over the next ten years with a much faster than average growth rate of 10%.

Check the BLS page on sonographers here.

US News has sonographers listed in the top 100 jobs and also ranks it as one of the 25 top paying jobs that is associates degree level.

The most important thing is to attend a CAAHEP accredited school. I can not emphasize this enough. Being CAAHEP accredited means you can sit for your boards after graduation. It also means the program has to meet certain standards like finding your clinical placements and ensuring a certain level of education and training.

Look for CAAHEP accredited programs here. Search for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Cardiovascular Technology to show general, vascular, and cardiac programs.

Choosing a specialty is entirely up to you and what programs you have available.

General sonographers scan thyroids, livers, abdomens, testicles, breast, and pelvic exams. Amongst general sonographers, some go on to specialize in advanced obstetrics and work at maternal fetal medicine (MFM) clinics. Some go on to specialize in breast and work in breast imaging centers. Their exams are read by radiologists.

Echocardiographers specialize in scanning the heart. They might work in cardiology offices, at hospitals, or in outpatient imaging centers. Their exams are read by cardiologists.

Vascular technologists specialize in scanning the veins and arteries all over the body. They might work in vascular surgery offices, interventional cardiology or interventional radiology offices, hospitals, and outpatient imaging centers. Their exams are read by vascular surgeons, neurology, interventional radiology or cardiology specialists.

There are programs that focus on each specialty on its own. There are also programs that combine cardiac and vascular, general and vascular, or any other combination.

Will write more soon, gotta go cook breakfast for my kiddo!

Comment any questions below, I love talking about ultrasound and ultrasound school!