4 answers
Ella
Student
Fort Collins, Colorado
1
Question
Updated
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What are the first steps to getting my sonography certification?
I am a senior in high school looking to go into sonography as an ultra sound tech, but not sure where to start. Do I need a bachelor's or nursing degree prior to finding a program for becoming certified? If not, what kind of programs or schools do I look into for a sonography certificate?
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4 answers
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
152
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
That's great inquiry
Sonography tech is a career path under imaging modalities.
Basically after your high school you need to have the qualifications to persue sonography,You also been to have good grades in physics and maths among other to be able to enrol in a college that offers sonography at either Diploma level or my. Bachelor level.
However you don't need to have done bachelor in nursing to do sonography but it would haveore advantage since you will have learned a lot of anatomy, physiology, clinical medicine among other conditions that would make you a more robust sonograper
Sonography tech is a career path under imaging modalities.
Basically after your high school you need to have the qualifications to persue sonography,You also been to have good grades in physics and maths among other to be able to enrol in a college that offers sonography at either Diploma level or my. Bachelor level.
However you don't need to have done bachelor in nursing to do sonography but it would haveore advantage since you will have learned a lot of anatomy, physiology, clinical medicine among other conditions that would make you a more robust sonograper
Téa C.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
19
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Téa’s Answer
Hello!
Programs-
You just need to look for a school offering that specific type of program ("Diagnostic Medical Sonography" / Ultrasound) & don't need any prior medical experience/degree - I had 0 medical experience before becoming a sonographer. I tend to recommend looking for a CAAHEP-accredited ultrasound program. CAAHEP = "Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs." Going to a CAAHEP-accredited program lets you take ARDMS exams for credentials/certifications before and/or after graduation. ARDMS = "American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography." For ARDMS, you must first pass a physics exam before taking exams for your credentials (like Abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, etc.). I was taught that ARDMS is the "gold standard" for ultrasound tech credentials. I went out-of-state for my program (for an Associate's), but you don't have to.
Alternatively, if you're unable to go to a CAAHEP-accredited program, you could go to an ARRT-approved sonography program instead. ARRT = American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. You'd first take the exam & get certified through ARRT, & then ARDMS.
College program requirements depend on those exact programs. For example, in high school I didn't know what I wanted to go into college for, so my science classes included Anatomy/Physiology, Biology, & Chemistry. It would've helped if I had taken Physics, but I didn't need that class before college for my specific program (though I still had to take physics classes once in college). High school Anatomy/Physiology was VERY helpful, though. If that's currently one of your high school classes, I suggest you really pay attention in it. If it's not, do so once you're in college.
Degree-
Some programs offer this as an Associate's and/or Bachelor's degree; it depends on the exact program. For people who already have an Associate's or Bachelor's, some colleges offer an accelerated program that'd still let you take ARDMS exams for credentials; these programs award graduates with a certificate, unless they say otherwise.
Credentials/specialties-
You can decide whether you want to specialize now or later. For example, some ultrasound techs/sonographers specialize in vascular ultrasound & will go straight into a vascular ultrasound program, which focuses on veins & arteries. I went to a 'general' program for Diagnostic Medical Sonography & stayed as a 'general' ultrasound tech, meaning I scan a variety of things (abdomen, OB/GYN, veins, etc.). However, some of my classmates later decided to specialize in vascular or focus on OB/GYN (includes "maternal fetal health").
See the second link listed below: for general sonography, look for "RDMS" below "General Sonography and Maternal Fetal Health," but for vascular look for "RVT" below "Cardiovascular Health."
For general sonography, many start with the ARDMS' Abdomen or OB/GYN certification/credential, or if needed get the ARRT Sonography certification first & then ARDMS. I started with Abdomen &, though I plan on sticking with general sonography, I'll later at least get OB/GYN & Breast certifications. My current job doesn't require that, but more certifications can make you more competitive for jobs & could lead to higher pay.
Lastly-
Other students here have also asked sonography/ultrasound-related questions. For more information, I suggest checking out those questions/answers (if you haven't) & looking at these links listed below.
Good luck!
Check out CAAHEP-accredited programs: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
About ARDMS credentials & exams: https://www.inteleos.org/all-certifications-exams/
Alternatively, check out ARRT-approved programs: https://www.arrt.org/pages/about-the-profession/learn-about-the-profession/recognized-educational-programs
About ARRT Sonography certification: https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/sonography
Programs-
You just need to look for a school offering that specific type of program ("Diagnostic Medical Sonography" / Ultrasound) & don't need any prior medical experience/degree - I had 0 medical experience before becoming a sonographer. I tend to recommend looking for a CAAHEP-accredited ultrasound program. CAAHEP = "Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs." Going to a CAAHEP-accredited program lets you take ARDMS exams for credentials/certifications before and/or after graduation. ARDMS = "American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography." For ARDMS, you must first pass a physics exam before taking exams for your credentials (like Abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, etc.). I was taught that ARDMS is the "gold standard" for ultrasound tech credentials. I went out-of-state for my program (for an Associate's), but you don't have to.
Alternatively, if you're unable to go to a CAAHEP-accredited program, you could go to an ARRT-approved sonography program instead. ARRT = American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. You'd first take the exam & get certified through ARRT, & then ARDMS.
College program requirements depend on those exact programs. For example, in high school I didn't know what I wanted to go into college for, so my science classes included Anatomy/Physiology, Biology, & Chemistry. It would've helped if I had taken Physics, but I didn't need that class before college for my specific program (though I still had to take physics classes once in college). High school Anatomy/Physiology was VERY helpful, though. If that's currently one of your high school classes, I suggest you really pay attention in it. If it's not, do so once you're in college.
Degree-
Some programs offer this as an Associate's and/or Bachelor's degree; it depends on the exact program. For people who already have an Associate's or Bachelor's, some colleges offer an accelerated program that'd still let you take ARDMS exams for credentials; these programs award graduates with a certificate, unless they say otherwise.
Credentials/specialties-
You can decide whether you want to specialize now or later. For example, some ultrasound techs/sonographers specialize in vascular ultrasound & will go straight into a vascular ultrasound program, which focuses on veins & arteries. I went to a 'general' program for Diagnostic Medical Sonography & stayed as a 'general' ultrasound tech, meaning I scan a variety of things (abdomen, OB/GYN, veins, etc.). However, some of my classmates later decided to specialize in vascular or focus on OB/GYN (includes "maternal fetal health").
See the second link listed below: for general sonography, look for "RDMS" below "General Sonography and Maternal Fetal Health," but for vascular look for "RVT" below "Cardiovascular Health."
For general sonography, many start with the ARDMS' Abdomen or OB/GYN certification/credential, or if needed get the ARRT Sonography certification first & then ARDMS. I started with Abdomen &, though I plan on sticking with general sonography, I'll later at least get OB/GYN & Breast certifications. My current job doesn't require that, but more certifications can make you more competitive for jobs & could lead to higher pay.
Lastly-
Other students here have also asked sonography/ultrasound-related questions. For more information, I suggest checking out those questions/answers (if you haven't) & looking at these links listed below.
Good luck!
Téa recommends the following next steps:
Suzanne Sorkin
Retired family physician and medical educator
173
Answers
Traverse City, Michigan
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Ella, sonography is an excellent career choice for someone interested in working directly with patients in a technical role. The typical path after high school is to get either an associates or a bachelors degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Your schoolwork will include both class work and clinical training experiences. Be sure you attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or another recognized accredited body. You will participate in supervised clinical training getting hands-on experiences doing ultrasound procedure as part of your training. Many monographers get professional certification through organizations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) You do not need to be an RN (registered nurse) to become a monographer. Good luck!
Check out this website from the Mayo Clinic on sonography careers: https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/diagnostic-medical-sonographer/
Here is info on a program in Aurora, CO you might want to explore: https://www.uchealth.org/professionals/education-programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography-program-at-university-of-colorado-hospital/
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Emily Proano
Medical assistant
45
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Ella! The good news is that you do not need a bachelor’s degree or a nursing degree to become a sonographer. Many people start by enrolling in an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, which may offer an associate degree or, if you already have a degree in another field, a certificate program. When you’re researching schools, make sure the program is accredited, since that can make it much easier to become certified and find a job after graduation. After completing your program, most graduates earn professional certification, which many employers prefer or require. Since you’re still in high school, now is a great time to look into accredited programs near you, compare their prerequisites, and, if possible, shadow a sonographer to see what the job is like day to day.