As a specialist in the medical care domain of sonography, the type of ultrasound technician training and the extent of your knowledge will weigh highly on the positions you are eligible for, and the associated paycheck. In essence, like in all other fields of work, the more complex and extensive your level of knowledge acquired during ultrasound technician training, the better the job and the higher the wage. Of course, there are initial drawbacks of spending four years to complete the bachelor’s degree course compared to the shorter two year program of the associate’s degree, like time and costs. On the other hand, ultrasound technicians that take the time to specialize in related scanning methods like MRI or X-ray have significantly superior job perspectives.
The associate degree in ultrasound technician training
As we have mentioned, an associate’s degree in sonography entails two years of training in both the theoretical concepts of ultrasound scanning and actual practice. In general, these programs are split into four semesters. On a side note, although most courses have a similar curriculum and structure, there are small presentation details and credit systems that set them apart. During the first subsection of the coursework, students will gain the basic knowledge of how ultrasound physics actually work and the modus operandi of the machines. At the same time, they will be taught the first notions of pathology and anatomy.
The study subjects of the second semester are generally focused on furthering the same subjects. The coursework of the third semester will enable students to focus on particular pathologies and choose the specializations of the ultrasound technician training. Lastly, the hands-on practice period begins in the fourth semester, which is a critical step to being eligible for the examination of the ARDMS board. If you are planning on continuing your education following the graduation of the associate’s degree ultrasound technician training, then you should opt for a university or vocational school that works on a transferable credit system.
The bachelor’s degree in ultrasound technician training
The main dissociation between the two types of ultrasound technician training is the ability to broaden your horizons in the medical care field by learning other scanning methods as well as more in depth details. The bachelor’s degree in sonography is the preferred education for people that want to be able to assume several positions in a medical institution, from X-ray to infrared scans, from phlebotomy to administration. Furthermore, the graduate will also have a higher understanding of the intricate anatomy of the human body, different pathologies, and so on. However, many of the ultrasound technician training facilities that provide bachelor’s degree programs have strict requirements about high school grades, coursework taken during that period and GED scores.
In retrospect
Before applying for either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in an ultrasound technician training program, it is advisable to gather all the information you can about them. Furthermore, certification for both of these degrees can only be attained by passing the exam that proves you have learned the necessary skills to perform the sonographer job proficiently.
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