One of the best and most efficient ways to pursue a job in one of the hottest niches in healthcare, the ultrasound technician or medical diagnostic sonographer career, is to get a qualification through community college. This job’s popularity is down to the fact that it is one of the best paying and most secure jobs around that places relatively low educational demands on aspiring workers. The program required for qualification as an ultrasound tech is only two years, but the ultrasound technician salary is around $70,000 and working conditions are reportedly excellent.
Community college is an excellent choice when going after your ultrasound tech qualification. Generally the cost is manageable on a part-time wage, and there should be a location convenient to your home. Additionally, the payoff for this training is relatively great; many students spend four years working on a bachelor’s degree at university and never come close to the salary and work environment you can achieve with just two years’ training as an ultrasound technician.
This is not a hugely demanding course, particularly when compared to medicine or pharmacy, but it is important that the educator you choose to invest your future with has proper accreditation and will adequately prepare you for the national licensing exam by the Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. You can verify the schools in your area at the CAAHEP website. In addition to this exam, you should also register with the American Radiological and Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Association, otherwise known as ARDMS. Without this licensing and registration process, your education is worthless because you will not be able to work legally as an ultrasound technician in the United States.