2 answers
lia
Student
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
824 views
How can I become a sonographer out of highschool?
I am in 11th grade and want to pursue sonography how can I get into the field?
MN
2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1899
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Becoming a sonographer requires several steps Lia. An associate degree and a post-secondary certificate in diagnostic medical sonography is typically required, and these programs may last two to three years. Coursework includes anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences.
STEP 1️⃣ ASSOCIATE DEGREE
You may consider pursuing an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography, which can take two years to complete. This option is ideal for students who wish to enter the field quickly without having to complete a four-year degree program. Some employers may require you to possess a bachelor's degree, so it's important to consider this when choosing your educational path.
STEP 2️⃣ GAIN CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
You can gain clinical and practical experience by working with patients, such as through an internship. Clinical experience enables you to develop your interpersonal, communication, medical and technical skills. Your ability to interact with and build rapport with patients is an important skill that may be beneficial to you in a sonography role.
STEP 3️⃣ OBTAIN YOUR CERTIFICATION
Most employers require sonographers to possess certification in diagnostic medical sonography. Many sonographers obtain their Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential before specializing in an additional field of sonography. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers several certifications besides the RDMS credential for sonographers. All credentials require you to take and pass a certification exam prior to obtaining certification.
STEP 4️⃣ CHOOSE YOUR SPECIALTY
After obtaining your degree and your primary RDMS certification, you can consider pursuing a career in a specialty within sonography. There are several fields to consider in medical sonography, such as breast sonography, abdominal sonography, echocardiography, obstetrics and gynecology and neurosonology. The ARRT offers certifications in every specialty of sonography, so you can add to your credentials as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Hope this was helpful Lia
STEP 1️⃣ ASSOCIATE DEGREE
You may consider pursuing an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography, which can take two years to complete. This option is ideal for students who wish to enter the field quickly without having to complete a four-year degree program. Some employers may require you to possess a bachelor's degree, so it's important to consider this when choosing your educational path.
STEP 2️⃣ GAIN CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
You can gain clinical and practical experience by working with patients, such as through an internship. Clinical experience enables you to develop your interpersonal, communication, medical and technical skills. Your ability to interact with and build rapport with patients is an important skill that may be beneficial to you in a sonography role.
STEP 3️⃣ OBTAIN YOUR CERTIFICATION
Most employers require sonographers to possess certification in diagnostic medical sonography. Many sonographers obtain their Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential before specializing in an additional field of sonography. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers several certifications besides the RDMS credential for sonographers. All credentials require you to take and pass a certification exam prior to obtaining certification.
STEP 4️⃣ CHOOSE YOUR SPECIALTY
After obtaining your degree and your primary RDMS certification, you can consider pursuing a career in a specialty within sonography. There are several fields to consider in medical sonography, such as breast sonography, abdominal sonography, echocardiography, obstetrics and gynecology and neurosonology. The ARRT offers certifications in every specialty of sonography, so you can add to your credentials as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Hope this was helpful Lia
Evangeline Watkins
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
36
Answers
Santa Ana, California
Updated
Evangeline’s Answer
Hi, I just finished my sonography program, so let me give you a basic rundown. There are many different types of sonography schools, with some being on an accelerated track and some taking up to 4 years. It's important to look into the type of school to make sure you find a program that works for you and gives you everything you want out of it. Some schools will take transfer credits and some won't. If you can try to take your prerequisites at a community college for a lower cost long term. (Some community colleges will even offer sonography degrees!) It's important to look into the registry process because it can be very complex for new people entering the field. Another thing to pay attention to is the specialty you want to go into, as sonography has many different subcategories.
Registry: Most jobs in highly competitive areas like big cities will not hire you without being registered with the ARDMS or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. It is an exam that consists of physics, anatomy, and pathology of your chosen specialty. There are multiple specialty exams you can take under ARDMS . The main ones are abdomen, vascular, OB, and countless others. Ask your program what will be taught at your school. You have to meet the requirements before you can apply to take the exam, which is $275. You also have to take the SPI, which is an ultrasound physics exam done by ARDMS before you can take the ARDMS for a specialty. Ask your school if the cost of any of these tests is included in tuition. (SPI was paid for my mine, but not ARDMS). Make sure to develop a good study routine because any sonography program will be highly intensive, and your registry exams will be killer.
Types of Schools & Certification: Different schools can only offer a certain kind of accreditation and you have to be careful because some schools will only give you a certificate (NOT a degree). Most places will not hire you without an associate's or bachelor's degree. Some schools will also choose to pay for your registry exams. These are important. Certification is critical for finding a job after graduating. If you live in an less competitive area, you can sometimes get a job without it, but the pay will be much higher if you're certified. The ARDMS does the certification for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and this means you can get a job in almost any state. (Some states have extra state exams). There are a few routes for qualifying to take your ARDMS. 1 Get a bachelor's degree in something (healthcare or sonography). If you get a bachelor's in something other than sonography, you will also need an associate's in sonography. 2 Go to a CAAHEP-accredited school and get an associate's degree. 3 Get an associate's and work in the field for a year. This can be a little hard because most places will not hire you without certification, BUT it is possible. If you do an internship through your school, sometimes they will offer you a job after if they like you. 4 Take the ARRT. ARRT stands for AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS. This is an exam that covers abdomen procedures and pathology, OB questions, and ultrasound physics. If you pass you can sit for your ARDMS. Check to see if your program is 1: accredited by CAAHEP, 2: if they offer internships, and 3: if they will pay for your exams or give you free tools to pass (textbooks or study programs that you normally pay for), or if these will all be additional costs out of pocket.
Specialty: Also, check what type of ultrasound they teach at the school. There are different kinds of specialties. It's not just babies. If that's not your thing, you can also scan the abdominal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, etc). Or you could scan vascular, which is the arteries and veins; typically, you will check for plaque in the vessels. This requires a very steady hand. Then, of course, there's O,B which is scanning pregnant women. There are other specialties like musculoskeletal, echo (the heart), and pediatrics (children), as well as countless others. The pay and lifestyle will vary greatly based on the specialty you choose. If you want to learn one type, check to make sure your school teaches that type.
It is very possible to go into sonography right after high school, but the main thing is going to be researching schools. The sooner you can start this, the better! If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out and good luck in your sonography journey
Registry: Most jobs in highly competitive areas like big cities will not hire you without being registered with the ARDMS or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. It is an exam that consists of physics, anatomy, and pathology of your chosen specialty. There are multiple specialty exams you can take under ARDMS . The main ones are abdomen, vascular, OB, and countless others. Ask your program what will be taught at your school. You have to meet the requirements before you can apply to take the exam, which is $275. You also have to take the SPI, which is an ultrasound physics exam done by ARDMS before you can take the ARDMS for a specialty. Ask your school if the cost of any of these tests is included in tuition. (SPI was paid for my mine, but not ARDMS). Make sure to develop a good study routine because any sonography program will be highly intensive, and your registry exams will be killer.
Types of Schools & Certification: Different schools can only offer a certain kind of accreditation and you have to be careful because some schools will only give you a certificate (NOT a degree). Most places will not hire you without an associate's or bachelor's degree. Some schools will also choose to pay for your registry exams. These are important. Certification is critical for finding a job after graduating. If you live in an less competitive area, you can sometimes get a job without it, but the pay will be much higher if you're certified. The ARDMS does the certification for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and this means you can get a job in almost any state. (Some states have extra state exams). There are a few routes for qualifying to take your ARDMS. 1 Get a bachelor's degree in something (healthcare or sonography). If you get a bachelor's in something other than sonography, you will also need an associate's in sonography. 2 Go to a CAAHEP-accredited school and get an associate's degree. 3 Get an associate's and work in the field for a year. This can be a little hard because most places will not hire you without certification, BUT it is possible. If you do an internship through your school, sometimes they will offer you a job after if they like you. 4 Take the ARRT. ARRT stands for AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS. This is an exam that covers abdomen procedures and pathology, OB questions, and ultrasound physics. If you pass you can sit for your ARDMS. Check to see if your program is 1: accredited by CAAHEP, 2: if they offer internships, and 3: if they will pay for your exams or give you free tools to pass (textbooks or study programs that you normally pay for), or if these will all be additional costs out of pocket.
Specialty: Also, check what type of ultrasound they teach at the school. There are different kinds of specialties. It's not just babies. If that's not your thing, you can also scan the abdominal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, etc). Or you could scan vascular, which is the arteries and veins; typically, you will check for plaque in the vessels. This requires a very steady hand. Then, of course, there's O,B which is scanning pregnant women. There are other specialties like musculoskeletal, echo (the heart), and pediatrics (children), as well as countless others. The pay and lifestyle will vary greatly based on the specialty you choose. If you want to learn one type, check to make sure your school teaches that type.
It is very possible to go into sonography right after high school, but the main thing is going to be researching schools. The sooner you can start this, the better! If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out and good luck in your sonography journey
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