Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonography, or “Ultrasound,”
is a diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to
produce visual images of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the
body.
Job responsibilities for someone in this field might include obtaining
medical histories; performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining
diagnostic images; analyzing technical information; providing summaries
of findings to physicians for medical diagnosis; and collaborating
with physicians and other members of a health care team to ensure
the best possible patient care.
Being able to communicate with patients and having compassion for
patients who are sick or in pain is very important. In addition, technologists
must be able to “think on their feet” to obtain the highest-quality
exam because of the variances in every patient’s anatomy. Lastly,
people interested in sonography should enjoy being challenged, be
able to stand for several hours a day, and be willing to complete
required continuing education classes during the course of their career.
Imaging procedures are generally done in hospitals, at clinics and
in doctor’s offices. There are also opportunities for technologists
to become commercial application specialists, educators and hospital
administrators.
Applicants must have completed a two-year Allied Health science program
and maintain a current license in that health care specialty. Examples
of acceptable Allied Health specialties include: Radiology (X-ray),
Nuclear Medicine, Medical Technology, Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapy
and Nursing. A candidate must also have completed a higher-level math
course, such as Math 118 (General Education Mathematics) at College
of DuPage.
College of DuPage offers an advanced certificate program that is 15
months long. As mentioned above, C.O.D. requires that candidates complete
a two-year Allied Health science program and hold a current license
in a health-related field before being accepted into the DMIS program.
Some colleges offer a two-year Ultrasound program without the health
care career prerequisite. However, these schools do require one additional
year of prerequisites and may have long waiting lists. Note: Students
who complete an Allied Health program first and then the Ultrasound
program at C.O.D. have a choice between two careers to work in with
greater versatility in future jobs.
All College of DuPage DMIS students have obtained employment
after graduation. In addition, several students were able to obtain
part-time employment in area sonography departments while working
toward their DMIS certificate.
The sonography discipline has a total of eight specialties. At C.O.D.,
students specialize in Abdomen/Superficial Structures, Obstetrics
and Gynecology, and general physics. Other training programs might
include Adult Cardiac, Pediatric Cardiac, Vascular, Neurology, Breast
and Ophthalmology disciplines. In fall 2004, the College of DuPage
sonography program will also offer a specialty in Vascular studies.
This profession has advanced significantly over the past 20 years.
With continued developments in technology and an increased use of
diagnostic Ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue
in this career field. The overall salary range for Ultrasound technologists
is between $30,800 to 65,000, according to a 2000 American Medical
Association study.
