Ultrasound Technician Courses

Ultrasound Technician courses are found at several different levels of education including Associates and Bachelors Degree, and certificate programs. Currently, there is only one university that offers a Masters Degree in ultrasound technology.

The courses prepare the student in medical diagnostic sonography, medical assistant and ultrasound technician. The students also learn to operate the equipment in diagnostic medicine, take xrays for medical and diagnostic purposes and reading xrays.

Ultrasound Technician Required Courses

The basic ultrasound technician courses begin with instruction in care of the patient. The student will learn and hone communication skills and learn the psychological, legal and ethical concerns that go along with the field of sonography and how they apply to patients. This course will also include medical terminology and an overview of common imaging procedures used in ultrasound imaging.

Ultrasound technician courses will also include courses in human anatomy. The course will be an in depth study of how the body functions and all the different systems work in concert. Ultrasound images of different body parts will be studied so the student will learn to identify each body part on the ultrasound screen during a screening procedure and to read xrays after the procedure is complete.

Students may also have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in practical applications of the procedures.

Advanced Ultrasound Technician Courses

ultrasound_technician_certificationAdvanced ultrasound technician courses will include studying the physical science behind the physics of acoustic and they will include three dimensional applications, sound transmission, diagnostic images and the inner workings of ultrasound technology. Students will also learn to maintain and operate ultrasound machinery. Practical applications may be performed on willing classmates.

The course of study will culminate in the practice of ultrasound technology in a clinical setting. The classes will take place in a Doctor’s office, hospital or a medical testing laboratory. The students will interact with professionals in the field of ultrasound technology and gains hands on and practical experience.

The students will also have the chance to participate in the different ultrasound fields such as cardiac, vascular and general ultrasound fields. Students will learn how to monitor health issues such as blood clots, cancer and signs of stroke. Students will also gain practical experience in infant and pediatric ultrasound.

Are Any Courses Online

Ultrasound programs can be found at community colleges, universities, career and technology centers and some teaching hospitals. Some high schools offer, as part of their vocational or career and technology programs, allied health programs that may sometimes include ultrasound technology.

If a student is thinking that far ahead before reaching high school, they may want to take advantage of such a program. An allied health program will be a major stepping stone to a certificate or degree program after high school, as well as job opportunities.

Ultrasound technician courses can take anywhere from 6 months to 6 years to complete, depending on the depth of study the student wishes to pursue. States do not require the licensing of ultrasound technicians, but registration with the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) is required along with passing a career skills exam.