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kenadi
Student
Dalton, Massachusetts
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I am interested in sonography or radiology what are the pros and cons of each?
high school student
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2 answers
Téa C.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
6
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Téa’s Answer
Hello! Here's how ultrasound (US) technologist & radiologic (Xray/XR) technologist compare.
The minimum needed for both is an Associate's degree (2 years), which is ideal if you don't want to be in school for 4 years or more.
I can't speak for learning XR since I'm only a US tech, but sonography involves learning LOTS of information. Unless you specialize in a specific type like vascular US, as a 'general' US tech you need to learn enough to perform different types of ultrasounds like for the abdomen, pregnant (OB)/ non-pregnant pelvis, thyroid & other small parts, veins, etc.
As long as you get into a good sonography or XR program, most people will be able to find work before or after graduation. The job growth rate for both is higher/faster than average, meaning the number of jobs is estimated to increase in the future (in fields where it's estimated to decrease, you'd have trouble finding a job). More specifically, it's estimated that XR tech jobs will grow a little faster than average (5%, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm ) and US tech jobs will grow much faster than average (13%, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm ).
Pay for both can be pretty good, though it depends on what city, where you work, years of experience, credentials/licenses, etc. For example, for Massachusetts Ziprecruiter says XR techs make $19.69-83.22 per hour & US techs make $19.43-82.96 per hour.
Just from my experience: Many of the XR techs I've worked with also branched out into other types of imaging like CT, MRI, Mammography, Ultrasound, etc. One of the reasons they do this is for more job & higher pay opportunities. US techs can still go into other types of imaging, but I've felt like that's more difficult than it is for XR techs branching out. On the other hand, in ultrasound you can get additional credentials, like Abdomen, OB/GYN, Breast, Vascular (RVT), Musculoskeletal (MSK), etc. Many get Abdomen or OB/GYN first, or Vascular if you want to specialize in that.
Both jobs can be fairly physically demanding, especially ultrasound. According to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, up to 90% of US techs suffer from some kind of work-related injury because of the physical demands. I still know techs who don't have those injuries (including myself), & I don't usually have to transport/move patients since I just take my machine to them (to other areas of the hospital). However, any part of my arm/wrist might ache after doing some US exams, especially for exams on larger-bodied patients where I may need to exert more pressure/force and/or take more time.
For ultrasound: If a US tech accidentally misses something, like a tumor/mass, & doesn't take pictures of it, then the doctor/radiologist might miss it too since what they see is limited to the images you take (unless they're next to you scanning, but usually you're scanning alone). US techs also make their own preliminary report for exams, which doesn't make the diagnosis but we still describe what we think we're seeing. Both of these things can scare people away. Also, US scanning involves being right next to the patient the whole time, so XR would be better if you don't want that.
Another possible con for US is it can be a little harder for guys to work in. I've only ever met x2 male US techs - one was a general US tech & the other specialized in vascular US & echocardiography (heart scanning). There can be some bias against male US techs, especially from female patients. Unless you specialize in vascular US and/or echocardiography, you'll need to perform pelvic US's (pregnant & not) & maybe breast US's, too.
Lastly, for any clinical job in healthcare the work can be stressful. In some situations, you'll need to adapt & think outside the box, doing things that you can't learn from textbooks alone. While you'll still meet nice people, some can be uncooperative, very rude, & even incredibly "unsanitary," so it can be tough to not get burnt out after a while. However, whether you're an XR or US tech, you're still there to help doctors diagnose issues & help patients get the care they need. :)
Search for ARRT certified schools for radiography: https://www.arrt.org/pages/about-the-profession/learn-about-the-profession/recognized-educational-programs
Search for JRCERT accredited programs for radiography: https://www.jrcert.org/find-a-program/
Search for CAAHEP accredited programs for sonography: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
The minimum needed for both is an Associate's degree (2 years), which is ideal if you don't want to be in school for 4 years or more.
I can't speak for learning XR since I'm only a US tech, but sonography involves learning LOTS of information. Unless you specialize in a specific type like vascular US, as a 'general' US tech you need to learn enough to perform different types of ultrasounds like for the abdomen, pregnant (OB)/ non-pregnant pelvis, thyroid & other small parts, veins, etc.
As long as you get into a good sonography or XR program, most people will be able to find work before or after graduation. The job growth rate for both is higher/faster than average, meaning the number of jobs is estimated to increase in the future (in fields where it's estimated to decrease, you'd have trouble finding a job). More specifically, it's estimated that XR tech jobs will grow a little faster than average (5%, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm ) and US tech jobs will grow much faster than average (13%, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm ).
Pay for both can be pretty good, though it depends on what city, where you work, years of experience, credentials/licenses, etc. For example, for Massachusetts Ziprecruiter says XR techs make $19.69-83.22 per hour & US techs make $19.43-82.96 per hour.
Just from my experience: Many of the XR techs I've worked with also branched out into other types of imaging like CT, MRI, Mammography, Ultrasound, etc. One of the reasons they do this is for more job & higher pay opportunities. US techs can still go into other types of imaging, but I've felt like that's more difficult than it is for XR techs branching out. On the other hand, in ultrasound you can get additional credentials, like Abdomen, OB/GYN, Breast, Vascular (RVT), Musculoskeletal (MSK), etc. Many get Abdomen or OB/GYN first, or Vascular if you want to specialize in that.
Both jobs can be fairly physically demanding, especially ultrasound. According to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, up to 90% of US techs suffer from some kind of work-related injury because of the physical demands. I still know techs who don't have those injuries (including myself), & I don't usually have to transport/move patients since I just take my machine to them (to other areas of the hospital). However, any part of my arm/wrist might ache after doing some US exams, especially for exams on larger-bodied patients where I may need to exert more pressure/force and/or take more time.
For ultrasound: If a US tech accidentally misses something, like a tumor/mass, & doesn't take pictures of it, then the doctor/radiologist might miss it too since what they see is limited to the images you take (unless they're next to you scanning, but usually you're scanning alone). US techs also make their own preliminary report for exams, which doesn't make the diagnosis but we still describe what we think we're seeing. Both of these things can scare people away. Also, US scanning involves being right next to the patient the whole time, so XR would be better if you don't want that.
Another possible con for US is it can be a little harder for guys to work in. I've only ever met x2 male US techs - one was a general US tech & the other specialized in vascular US & echocardiography (heart scanning). There can be some bias against male US techs, especially from female patients. Unless you specialize in vascular US and/or echocardiography, you'll need to perform pelvic US's (pregnant & not) & maybe breast US's, too.
Lastly, for any clinical job in healthcare the work can be stressful. In some situations, you'll need to adapt & think outside the box, doing things that you can't learn from textbooks alone. While you'll still meet nice people, some can be uncooperative, very rude, & even incredibly "unsanitary," so it can be tough to not get burnt out after a while. However, whether you're an XR or US tech, you're still there to help doctors diagnose issues & help patients get the care they need. :)
Téa recommends the following next steps:
Helene Reich
Radiologist
9
Answers
Morris Plains, New Jersey
Updated
Helene’s Answer
A sonographer ( ultrasound technologist) uses only the ultrasound modality to make images. There is a great deal of skill and responsibility to make the images readable and to find any abnormalities. It has the most intellectual challlenge in my opinion.
A radiology technologist starts with learning how to take basic X-rays and fluoroscopy. From there it’s possible to specialize in Cat Scan, MRI, mammography,interventional (procedures - helping the radiologist with the procedure similar to an OR nurse). The expertise for all these areas is in knowing the proper procedure for the test ordered and in positioning the patients.
Schooling for these two is via ultrasound or xray technologist school. It is maybe 1-2 years with some practical supervision. I think the job market is good as well.
A radiologist is an MD or DO who reads all these tests. That is 4 years of med school and one year internship , 4 years radiology residence and maybe 1-2 years fellowship. They run the departments and advise the technologists if they have questions in addition to making the final readings on all these tests.
A radiology technologist starts with learning how to take basic X-rays and fluoroscopy. From there it’s possible to specialize in Cat Scan, MRI, mammography,interventional (procedures - helping the radiologist with the procedure similar to an OR nurse). The expertise for all these areas is in knowing the proper procedure for the test ordered and in positioning the patients.
Schooling for these two is via ultrasound or xray technologist school. It is maybe 1-2 years with some practical supervision. I think the job market is good as well.
A radiologist is an MD or DO who reads all these tests. That is 4 years of med school and one year internship , 4 years radiology residence and maybe 1-2 years fellowship. They run the departments and advise the technologists if they have questions in addition to making the final readings on all these tests.