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Obstetrics technician vs ultrasound technologist

The differences between obstetrics technicians and ultrasound technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an obstetrics technician, becoming an ultrasound technologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an ultrasound technologist has an average salary of $84,702, which is higher than the $39,513 average annual salary of an obstetrics technician.

The top three skills for an obstetrics technician include patients, OB and vaginal deliveries. The most important skills for an ultrasound technologist are patients, ARDMS, and ultrasound procedures.

Obstetrics technician vs ultrasound technologist overview

Obstetrics TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Yearly salary$39,513$84,702
Hourly rate$19.00$40.72
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs55,21452,198
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 55%
Average age4143
Years of experience122

What does an obstetrics technician do?

An Obstetrics Technician assists physicians and nurses in different situations, such as labor and delivery procedures. Their responsibilities include assisting patients, sterilizing tools and equipment, preparing and cleaning facilities, and monitoring the patient's health before and after the procedures. They perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, answering inquiries, organizing files, overseeing schedules and inventory, and processing procurement requests while adhering to the facility's policies and regulations.

What does an ultrasound technologist do?

An ultrasound technologist is responsible for assisting medical professionals in operating high-end equipment to diagnose patients' illnesses and monitor health conditions. Ultrasound technologists regularly inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machine and report inconsistencies and defects for immediate repair or replacement. They record scan results and endorse the patient to appropriate medical staff for required medication and further observation. An ultrasound technologist must have excellent knowledge and extensive experience in the medical industry to provide quality care for the patients and address their needs and concerns.

Obstetrics technician vs ultrasound technologist salary

Obstetrics technicians and ultrasound technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Obstetrics TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Average salary$39,513$84,702
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $50,000Between $51,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between obstetrics technician and ultrasound technologist education

There are a few differences between an obstetrics technician and an ultrasound technologist in terms of educational background:

Obstetrics TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 55%
Most common majorNursingMedical Technician
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutDuke University

Obstetrics technician vs ultrasound technologist demographics

Here are the differences between obstetrics technicians' and ultrasound technologists' demographics:

Obstetrics TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 8.4% Female, 91.6%Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%6%

Differences between obstetrics technician and ultrasound technologist duties and responsibilities

Obstetrics technician example responsibilities.

  • Handle sterile equipment, maintain inventory and other duties with the operating room, obtain vital signs, stock patients rooms.
  • Assist in the nursing care and preparation of obstetrical and/or obstetrical-surgical patients.
  • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  • Document and scan all record information from holter monitors and any charting notations include by patient.

Ultrasound technologist example responsibilities.

  • Perform ABIs while the vascular technologist perform the ultrasound to help with achieving a timely schedule.
  • Accomplish general ultrasounds centered on abdominal, OB-GYN, small parts, pelvic (male), and vascular.
  • Train new students how to perform PVR, segmental and ABI studies
  • Assist and independently perform 2D echo studies using m-mode, color flow, spectral and tissue Doppler, measurements and calculations.
  • Provide outpatient ultrasound studies in vascular, observe in echocardiogram
  • Perform a variety of procedures including abdomen, vascular and gynecology exams.
  • Show more

Obstetrics technician vs ultrasound technologist skills

Common obstetrics technician skills
  • Patients, 40%
  • OB, 12%
  • Vaginal Deliveries, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 7%
  • Delivery Room, 5%
  • Nursery, 4%
Common ultrasound technologist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • ARDMS, 11%
  • Ultrasound Procedures, 11%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Pacs, 7%
  • Vascular Ultrasound, 6%

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