Keota, IA

An Ultrasound Technician or sonographer is a healthcare professional who conducts ultrasound examinations to help physicians diagnose and screen medical conditions. A sonogram technician employs medical equipment using sound waves to capture images of internal tissues within the human body. These images are then used to diagnose such conditions such as cancer or heart disease, or to monitor fetal development in pregnancies. You can find information about ultrasound technician schools in Keota below.

Job Duties and Responsibilities of Sonographers

What do ultrasound technicians do in general? Sonographers are responsible for a series of activities related to successfully completing diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. The ultrasound technician job duties and responsibilities include:

• Verifying patient clinical history and health status, evaluating related tests and images
• Communicating comfortably and clearly with patient to explain the procedure, answer questions and relay information about what to expect during the procedure
• Communicating any concerns to the referring or interpreting physician as needed prior to the planned ultrasound procedure
• Consulting with medical professionals and independently assessing any possible need to adapt the planned procedure to achieve optimal results
• Administering contrast media through an intravenous line as needed after receiving appropriate approval
• Upholding quality patient care standards as professionally defined before, during and after the procedure
• Operating the ultrasound equipment and analyzing findings in real time during the examination to ensure optimal data is obtained
• Physically moving or assisting the movement of the patient as necessary to ensure comfort, a successful procedure and minimal patient exposure to high-frequency sound waves
• Evaluating ultrasound exam results to identify expected and unexpected outcomes given the procedure plan as well as whether appropriate test guidelines and protocols were followed
• Identifying and documenting unexpected results that may indicate the need for further testing or immediate medical attention
• Completing ultrasound technician worksheets that explain test findings to the physician

While performing these duties, ultrasound technicians help preserve the integrity of the profession by adhering to a professional code of ethics designed to protect patient wellbeing, competent practice, professional standards and public trust. They take active roles in assessing the safety and effectiveness of the equipment they operate as well as the work environment and all aspects of their involvement in the profession.

What are the Different Job Titles?

A sonographer is the same thing as an ultrasound tech. There is no difference. In fact, depending on their place of employment and special area of practice, they can also have job titles such as:

• Diagnostic medical sonographer
• Ultrasound technologist
• Ultrasound technician
• Ultrasonographer
• Diagnostic cardiac sonographer
• Cardiac sonographer
• Echocardiographic technician
• Vascular sonographer

What are the Requirements to Become Ultrasound Tech I Should Know About in Keota

The requirements you should be aware of before pursuing a career in sonography are fairly straightforward. Here are the most important points to keep in mind about the credentials you’ll need:

Ultrasound Technician School  in Keota

Certification and Licensing

• Employers in this field generally prefer to hire people with professional certification.
• Some states require licensure. This usually requires professional certification, but requirements vary from state to state.

Becoming Professionally Certified  in Keota
Here is what you should know about professional certification:
Know the Organizations

• The most-recognized certification organizations are the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
• The ARDMS offers certification exams to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), or a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT).

Choose Your Sub-specialties

• If you choose to become certified through the ARDMS, you will get to choose one or more sub-specialties to be tested on. As an RDMS, for example, you can be certified in one or more of the following areas: Abdomen (AB), Breast (BR), Fetal Echocardiography (FE), Neurosonology (NE), or Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN).

Pass the Exams and Stay Certified

• In order to become certified, you must meet a few basic prerequisite requirements (such as having a relevant degree), and then you’ll need to pass one or more exams.
• Staying professionally certified requires ongoing continuing education.

Ultrasound Technician Career Overview in Keota

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Keota

Ultrasound technician schools are located throughout the Keota, but how do you know if the one you choose will give you the education you need? Consider some of the following criteria when comparing colleges:

Accreditation: Look for ultrasound technician schools in Keota that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) or regional accrediting agencies. Without accreditation, students are unable to apply for federal financial aid or earn professional certification.

High-tech facilities: As an ultrasound technician, you’ll work with technology and state-of-the-art equipment every day. This is why it’s important to find a school that offers instruction in high-tech facilities. Once you’ve gained knowledge in the classroom, you’ll want to put your skills to the test with hands-on training. Be sure to tour a school’s facility and learn what type of access you’ll have to the labs on campus.

Externship opportunities: One of the best ways to understand a day-in-the-life of an ultrasound technician is to get out in the field. Look for a school that partners with local medical facilities or labs for externships. Real-life experience is invaluable; you’ll be able to shadow a sonographer, ask questions and learn about the challenges and rewards of the job. No textbook can offer that type of experience.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for diagnostic medical sonographers, which include ultrasound technicians, are projected to increase by 43% between 2012 and 2022 (www.bls.gov) in Keota. This growth is attributed to the fact that health care providers prefer ultrasound imaging as a safer alternative to radiology. The BLS also noted that the median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $62,295 in Dec 2013.