Log In
Log In to Save
Sign Up to Save
Sign Up to Dismiss
The email and password you specified are invalid. Please, try again.
Email and password are mandatory
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up
reset password
Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password.
Where do you want to work?
Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Repetitive
$68,970
Average Salary
Show More
Show Less
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification.
EducationColleges and universities offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography and in cardiovascular and vascular technology. One-year certificate programs also are available from colleges or hospitals.
Employers typically prefer graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Sonography, cardiovascular, and vascular education programs usually include courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences. Most sonography programs are divided into the specialized fields that correspond to the relevant certification exams, such as abdominal sonography or breast sonography. Cardiovascular and vascular programs include coursework in either invasive or noninvasive cardiovascular or vascular technology procedures. In addition to classroom study, most programs also include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under a more experienced technologist in a hospital, physician’s office, or imaging laboratory.
High school students who are interested in diagnostic medical sonography, cardiovascular technology, or vascular technology should take courses in anatomy, physiology, physics, and math.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsMost employers prefer to hire diagnostic imaging workers with professional certification. Many insurance providers and Medicare pay for procedures only if a certified sonographer, technologist, or technician performed the work. Certification is available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
Diagnostic imaging workers can earn certification by graduating from an accredited program and passing an exam. Most of the certifications are for specialties in diagnostic imaging; for example, a sonographer can earn a certification in abdominal sonography. Most diagnostic imaging workers have at least one certification, but many earn multiple certifications.
In addition, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have a Basic Life Support certification, which shows they are trained to provide CPR.
Few states require diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed. Professional certification is typically required for licensure; other requirements vary by state. Contact state medical boards for more information.
Important QualitiesDetail oriented. Diagnostic imaging workers must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients. They must also pay attention to the screen while scanning a patient’s body because the cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones may be subtle.
Hand-eye coordination. To get quality images, diagnostic imaging workers must be able to accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen.
Interpersonal skills. Diagnostic imaging workers must work closely with patients. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or mental stress, and they must get cooperation from the patient to create usable images.
Physical stamina. Diagnostic imaging workers are on their feet for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.
Technical skills. Diagnostic imaging workers must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.
Show More
Show Less
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Performer
Top Careers After Performer
Gender
Female
53.9%Male
44.7%Unknown
1.4%Ethnicity
White
79.2%Hispanic or Latino
11.3%Asian
7.2%Unknown
1.7%Black or African American
0.5%Languages Spoken
Spanish
40.9%French
22.0%German
7.5%Mandarin
4.4%Italian
3.8%Russian
3.1%Chinese
3.1%Japanese
2.5%Korean
1.9%Tagalog
1.9%Arabic
1.9%Hawaiian
1.3%Portuguese
1.3%Swedish
0.6%Romanian
0.6%Hindi
0.6%Khmer
0.6%Norwegian
0.6%Welsh
0.6%Tahitian
0.6%Performer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Schools
University of Central Florida
14.0%University of Phoenix
7.5%University of South Florida
7.0%Valencia College
6.5%Berklee College of Music
5.9%San Francisco State University
4.8%Western Michigan University
4.8%University of Alabama
4.3%Christopher Newport University
4.3%New York University
4.3%University of Massachusetts Amherst
4.3%University of North Texas
3.8%Texas State University
3.8%University of Dayton
3.8%Utah Valley University
3.8%Towson University
3.8%Ball State University
3.8%Wayne State University
3.2%Northwestern University
3.2%Columbia College Chicago
3.2%Majors
Degrees
Bachelors
49.9%Other
25.4%Masters
11.3%Associate
7.4%Certificate
3.0%Doctorate
1.7%Diploma
1.0%License
0.2%Performer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Show More
Disneyland
Teva Animal Health
Show More
I'm a Circus Performer | My Life ★ Mode.com
How to Negotiate Your Salary if You're a Top Performer, with Ramit Sethi
Transform Yourself Into a Performer | Alpin Hong | TEDxLaSierraUniversity