26 Pros and Cons of Being an Ultrasound Technician

When people talk about working in the medical field, they often focus on doctors and nurses.

However, there are other very important and lucrative jobs in his field outside of those two professions.

One of those interesting jobs that you may want to know about is that of an ultrasound technician.

Ultrasound technicians are in high demand, and the job outlook is good.

This job entails high importance and usually high pay, making it a hot career choice in the medical field right now.

These technicians take care of machines that help to look at different parts of the body, either for diagnosing health issues or even during childbirth.

They measure what they can see on their equipment and report back to other doctors such as the radiologist.

Of course, no career is perfect.

So we will look more in-depth at the good and bad points of becoming an ultrasound technician.

Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of this career.

Pros of Being an Ultrasound Technician

1. High Demand

There is a high demand for ultrasound technicians.

As more and more babies are being born every year, the industry is always in need of more technicians.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this job will grow by at least 26% until 2024.

2. Good Pay

This job has a higher pay compared to other similar jobs within health care.

The average pay for an ultrasound technician is around $70,000 a year.

There is a growing demand for qualified ultrasound techs who can become managers and branch out to start their locations.

3. Not Physically Demanding

The job itself isn’t physically demanding, but it does require a lot of attention to detail.

Physical demands mostly involve being able to stand for long periods.

Whether or not you like standing for a long time, it would be better for your health than being sedentary all day.

It has been proven that most sedentary jobs can be a detriment to one’s health.

You won’t have to worry about that as an ultrasound technician.

4. Daily Changes

The work is interesting and varied.

No day is the same when you’re an ultrasound tech.

The medical field is constantly discovering new ways to use this machine, and you will be able to see how it evolves over the years.

5. Employment Security

The government requires hospitals to use certain machines and equipment, providing you with consistent employment.

The machines also have a long lifespan, so you don’t have to worry about your job becoming obsolete anytime soon.

People are living longer, so they will need ongoing healthcare for years to come.

Ultrasound scans provide a diagnosis of pain and swelling inside the body.

This is useful for aging populations in addition to expectant mothers.

The job offers a sense of stability and security, knowing that you will always have a place in the medical industry.

6. Chance for Growth

The field of medicine is growing, so there are always chances for advancement and promotion.

This means you can continue to learn and grow in your career, making it a lifelong pursuit.

7. Choice of Work Environments

You will get to work in all different environments, from medical offices and hospitals to emergency rooms.

Many technicians further their education and become ultrasound techs that work in the emergency room.

8. Provide Lifesaving Info

This job is very important because it provides necessary diagnostic information to other medical professionals.

The work of the ultrasound technician can help to save lives.

9. Good Job Options

There are plenty of options once you do become certified, so you aren’t limited to only one place of employment.

10. Develop relationships

Working as an ultrasound technician is a great way to build strong ties within the community and develop lasting relationships with co-workers.

11. Lack of Mess

This is a job in the medical field where one does not have to get messy.

Doctors and nurses deal with blood and other gooey sticky stuff all day.

Ultrasound technicians usually don’t have that problem as you deal more with diagnosis and digital scans.

12. Medical Education Is Not Long

Sonography does not involve 7 years of training like that of a doctor.

A career in this field averages about two years of training.

Some programs may require additional training, but it is still a short amount compared to other medical fields.

Cons of Being an Ultrasound Technician

1. Tough Patients

Like any other medical position, there is a high risk of dealing with difficult patients and diseases daily.

Patients that are in a lot of pain or discomfort can be difficult to deal with.

Some patients may not react well to their ultrasound.

It can be hard to deal with upset patients over and over again.

2. Emotionally Draining at Times

The work can be emotionally draining, as you may see some challenging cases during your career.

Such challenges may involve working with grieving families or seeing babies that are born with deformities.

You may be the first person to tell someone that a baby is stillborn or they appear to have a disease.

3. Long Time Standing

You will be standing for long periods during your workday.

If you have issues with your feet or lower legs, you may find this aspect to be difficult.

4. Need Certification

Many people don’t realize that you must first go to school and become certified before you can work as an ultrasound technician.

5. May Only Grow so Far

The field does not require advanced education after you receive certification, which means there is minimal room for growth in your career.

6. May Be Last Position in Hospital

As a technician, you will be at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to job security.

If the hospital or clinic decides to discontinue the use of their ultrasound machines, this could put your job at risk.

7. Long Days

You will be working long hours, often on your feet.

This can be difficult if you have family or other commitments that require time outside of work.

8. Over Time and Odd Hours

As an ultrasound technician, you may be required to work odd hours, including weekends and holidays.

9. High responsibility

There is a lot of responsibility that comes with this job, as you are often the first line of diagnosis for patients.

Diagnosing diseases and injuries as an ultrasound technician can be emotionally draining, as it often means that treatment options will be limited.

10. Paperwork

There is a lot of paperwork that comes along with being an ultrasound technician.

Paperwork is often time-consuming and can be tedious to complete.

11. Repetitive

The job is often very repetitive, meaning that you may get bored with the job after a few years.

12. Someone’s Life Is in Your Hands

You will need to be well-organized and detail-oriented as the diagnosis and status of someone’s health are in your hands.

Giving a misdiagnosis can be detrimental to the patient and the medical facility that you work at.

13. Will Struggle If You Are Not Tech Savvy

Ultrasound technicians need to be aware of the latest medical procedures and standards, so you will need to be up-to-date on all the latest health care advancements.

Normally, this can be exciting.

However, if you are not technically savvy, you’ll have a long learning curve and this might be difficult for you.

14. Under Pressure at Times

This job requires you to work well under pressure and be able to make quick decisions when needed.

Should You Become an Ultrasound Technician?

After looking into what goes into being an Ultrasound technician, the number one con that stands out is the possibility of dealing with difficult patients.

It is not that the patients are bad, but receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis can be hard for the patient and the medical professionals.

Otherwise, the benefits of being an ultrasound technician seem to outweigh the cons.

This is a continuously growing field where you will make a very good salary without being a doctor or a nurse.

You don’t have to worry about surgery, blood, and guts.

However, you’re responsible for either giving patients great news or very bad news.

Other factors you should consider before making such a decision are the long hours, physical demands of standing, and an on-call schedule.

Although it is a great career choice for some, it may not be the best for others.

Pros and Cons of Being an Ultrasound Technician Summary Table