are you an ultrasound technologist?
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As far as employment , you are going to make more money and be exposed to more interesting procedures in a Hospital setting . private practice ultrasound is typically very general …also , pay in private practice is less. ( National average starting pay for a sonographer is between 22 and 26 an hour , with more experienced registered techs making up to 32 to 34,and experienced specilaized locums making anwhere from 35 to 45 per hour( plus non-taxable reimbursements like per-diem and travel allowences depending on the market ). Pay also goes up depending on the number of registries held by the sonographer …the more rgistries the better the money . ( And FYI…I HIGHLY recccoment taking the vascular physics registry when you take the general physics registry exam….its virtually the same test , so you dont have to re-study the same stuff over again .)
As for schooling , it’s challenging …most accredited programs start with between 20 and 25 students per program cycle , and typically less than half that number graduate …approximately 7 to 10 graduates per program. It’s A&P intensive , and you should have a strong math background because there is a lot of physics …in fact , you need to pass a physics registry PLUS one specilalty before you are even considered RDMS (registered diagnostic medical sonographer). You also take a seperate registry in vascular physics PLUS the vascular practical exam to be considered RVT ( registered vascular technologist ). in todays markest is best to be both RDMS and RVT , as the era of the seperate vascular lab is on it’s last legs . Most departments are now integrated with all techs performing all manner of ultrasounds. Most hopitals also have a 70 to 80% caseload , so be prepared to learn vascular ultrasound even if you’re NOT planning on taking the registry . It’s unavoidable that you will need vascular experience at some point.
once you have a few years experience and have your registries under your belt , you may decided to work as a locum …or trveling tech . These contractors go 13 week contracts at hospitals that are short handed . It’s a great way to make more money and see the country once you’re experienced enough to feel confident jumping in and out of departments . I reccomend at least a full 3 years experience before traveling. Travelers are there to take the pressure off an already stressed department , having an inexperienced tech come in is NOT a help . there are many new grads beginning to travel and it’s HURTING the reputations of experienced locums . Focus on patient care , THEN money ….it works out better in the end .
Be sure your school is an accredited program. there are many unaccredited programs for ultrasound out there , and graduates from these programs have great difficulty finding jobs as time restrictions are placed on them as to how many clinical working hours they need proior to being considered registry eligable . Sometimes its a full year or more . Go to an accredited program …..check www.caahep.org to be sure , or contact the folks at ardms.org . They wont steer you wrong !
Good luck , and any other questions , message me .
later gator !
~Ej
