Now more than ever in the medical field doctors and other healthcare professionals are using non-invasive diagnostic methods to help diagnose and treat different diseases.
The ultrasound is one of the favorite non-invasive diagnostic methods used by doctors, and it’s a procedure realized by an ultrasound technician.
An ultrasound technician school will these healthcare professionals the necessary skills to perform these procedures, translating into great diagnostic and treatment skills that will help patients in their treatment and recovery journey.
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Cost Averages
- Certificate: $5,000-$25,000
- Associate’s Degree: $6,000-$40,000
- Bachelor’s Degree: $30,000-$48,000+
What Is An Ultrasound Technician?
Ultrasonography or sonography is a machine that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside body, this image is called ultrasound.
Ultrasound technicians collect data and images from all parts of the body with the purpose of analyzing them and using them to diagnose and treat patients.
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for an ultrasound technician is $78,884 per year, being the highest wage an ultrasound technician can earn is about $166,400 per year.
What Are The Responsibilities/Duties Of Am Ultrasound Technician?
The major duties and responsibilities of an ultrasound technician include:
- Performing the ultrasound and ensuring the transducer (probe) is capturing images correctly.
- Explaining the ultrasound procedure to patients in order to avoid confusion.
- Maintaining ultrasound equipment and sterilizing the room in which the procedure takes place.
- Spreading the ultrasound gel on the surface of the patient’s body to cover the internal area being imaged.
- Evaluating the images for their quality, and interpreting what the image captured.
- Presenting images and preliminary findings to physicians and the healthcare team.
- Maintaining patient records and adding medical notes related to the ultrasound procedure.
What Are The Costs Of Ultrasound Technician Programs?
The cost of an ultrasound technician program can vary depending on the length of the program and level of specialization, the type of school, and the state the school is located.
A certificate in sonography of one or two years can cost from $5,000 to $25,000 in total.
An associate’s degree program that last two to four years can cost about $6,000 to $40,000 total.
And a bachelor’s degree in sonography with four years of duration can cost $30,000 to $48,000.
Extra expenses
- After completing an ultrasound technician program, sonographers must register and pass the exam to work as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), which is administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and has a cost of $200; the renewal fee is $60 per year.
- Depending on each case and the students’ necessities, room, board, books, and uniforms can cost an extra $10,000-$20,000 per year.
What Are The Best Schools That Offer Ultrasound Technician Programs?
To become an accredited ultrasound technician, students must enroll in a program accredited granted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
According to CollegeChoice.net, the best ultrasound technician schools and programs are:
| College | Location | Tuition |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | Oklahoma City, OK | $19,887 |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock, AR | $18,076 |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | $27,365 |
| University of Wisconsin Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $29,665 |
| Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | $29,521 |
