A common question asked when concerning a new career is “How difficult is the training?”. If you are interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field you must know there will be challenges. Before we can understand the challenges of the profession, we must first go over the responsibilities of an Ultrasound Technician.
Ultrasound Technician or Sonographers work in imaging centers, emergency rooms, medical clinics, private doctors’s offices or hospitals.
What can be difficult about the Ultrasound program? Do you want to work as an Ultrasound Technician?
Learning how to use the Ultrasound Machine
The ultrasound machine is very complex and requires extensive training in order to use it properly. If you are struggling to understand a concept, do you procrastinate or freeze up? If you want to become a sonographer you must be willing to put in the time to build your confidence in your scanning skills. How do you build your confidence? Practice. Practice. Practice. The program is 2 years for a reason! It is going to take time to build your skills and understand the workings of the ultrasound machine.
Ultrasound Physics
Have you ever studied physics before? If not, it is ok! This is what ultrasound training is for, to learn all the skills you need in order to become a professional in the healthcare field. Basically physics is the science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, as well as the related entities of energy and force. In studying this science one must understand the set rules, and apply those rules to different circumstances.
Diagnostic ultrasound, also called sonography, is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to provide images of structures within the body. Therefore in ultrasound physics, students learn about the parameters of sound waves, pulsed ultrasound, and interaction of sound with different media. There are methods that control the way ultrasound waves are emitted from the ultrasound transducers. The different methods help control the quality of ultrasound waves including timing of ultrasound wave emission, frequency of waves, and size and curvature of the surface of the transducer. The received ultrasound signal are often amplified by increasing the gain. An Ultrasound Technician needs to know how to make adjustments on the machine in order to make sure the images they collect are clear and concise.
Preparing for National Certification exams
After completion of the ultrasound program, students may appear for certification examinations offered by:
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
At AIHT Education, students sit for the SPI Exam, through ARDMS after they pass the Ultrasound Physics class in the program. These exams are lengthy and complex, however the ultrasound training is designed to help prepare you for the certifications. It is also important to understand the steps needed to take the exams, and keep your certification. We recommend that you take the time to understand the certifications by going directly to the ARDMS website. https://www.ardms.org/
Ultrasound training requires determination, dedication, and self discipline.
How can I become an Ultrasound Technician in Connecticut?
AIHT Education is an accredited healthcare training school in Stratford CT that offers three different ultrasound certificate programs: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Technologist and Vascular Technologist. We’re one of the highest-rated ultrasound technician programs in CT, so visit our website at aiht.edu to schedule a meeting to talk with an admission counselor. Our kind and knowledgeable counselors will assist you get conversant in AIHT and our professors, discuss our training programs and answer any and each one of the questions you will have.
