Ultrasound technician job description: salary, skills and more

An ultrasound technician helps healthcare professionals, like doctors and physician assistants, assess and identify patients’ medical ailments and health conditions. Ultrasound technicians, also referred to as sonographers, ultrasound techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers, use devices that produce high-frequency sound waves to conduct tests and record images of various parts of a person’s body.

Let’s take a look at a complete ultrasound technician job description, salary-range, career outlook, education, certifications and more.

Ultrasound technician duties and responsibilities

Ultrasound technicians work directly with healthcare professionals and patients. They must be able to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Prepare ultrasound equipment and exam rooms for examinations
Care for sonography equipment and report maintenance needs
Operate equipment under authorized diagnostic approaches and practices
Assist radiologists with vascular ultrasound procedures and ultrasound-guided biopsies
Explain ultrasound equipment and procedures to patients
Problem-solve and make decisions regarding patient testing
Assess and record the appropriate anatomy and pathology
Distinguish between abnormal and normal anatomy to report findings
Create reports based on sonography scan results
Alert referring medical staff of any abnormalities that require immediate attention
Adhere to HIPPA requirements, including strict confidentiality of patient information and testing
Work as part of the team and independently, as needed
Seek professional development opportunities to continually apply best practices and the latest procedural trends and updates for patient care
Display a professional and pleasant demeanor
Adhere to solid work ethics

Ultrasound technician salary and career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2020 median annual salary for medical sonographers (interchangeable title) was $70,380.

Overall, the job outlook is good for this class of positions, with a projected growth of 14% between 2020 and 2030. Approximately 12,000 job openings for ultrasound technicians are projected each year.

Here is a breakdown of the median annual salary for ultrasound technicians based on work location:

Outpatient care centers – $96,780
Hospitals; state, local, and private – $76,060
Offices of physicians – $75,270
Medical and diagnostic laboratories – $71,650

Required education, training and certifications

Some formal education is required for a job as an ultrasound technician, typically an associate degree or postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification.

College Degree Completion. Many colleges and universities offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography. Courses of study include applied sciences, human anatomy, and other healthcare-related topics. Employers generally prefer that candidates graduate from programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Certification. Many employers require sonographers to have a certification upon hire or expect them to acquire one shortly after accepting the position. Some insurance providers, like Medicare, will only pay for sonography procedures performed by a certified technician. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Cardiovascular Credentialing International, and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offer certification programs.

Licensing. Few states require ultrasound technicians to be licensed. Contact your local state medical board for requirements in your state. Generally, licensure can be obtained following certification and the successful completion of a licensing exam.

Ultrasound technical skills and competencies

Detail-oriented. Following precise instructions is required to diagnose and treat patients and pay attention to every detail on the screen when scanning a patient, since cues that highlight abnormal vs. normal can be subtle.
Technical skills. Operating complex machinery and computerized systems are required of ultrasound technicians.
Hand-eye coordination. You’ll need to navigate and accurately move equipment on a patient’s body in response to what’s being seen on the ultrasound screen as an ultrasound tech.
Interpersonal skills. Interacting with patients, physicians, and other staff and healthcare workers is necessary for success if you pursue a job as an ultrasound tech.
Physical stamina. You’ll need to be able to stand on your feet for long periods of time and help move patients who need assistance.
Problem-solving. Techs need to be able to apply critical thinking to assess and address problems with patient scans and more.
Active listening. You’ll need to actively listen to test requests from physicians and healthcare workers as well as the concerns of patients you’re working with to ensure you perform the right ultrasound test.
Verbal communication. You’ll need to instruct your patients on how to properly position themselves to capture correct images and communicate results with those who ordered the test.
Time management. You’ll need to effectively remain on schedule when seeing patients and return sonography results in a timely manner.

Work environment and schedule

Most ultrasound technicians and medical sonographers work full time. Some positions might require work on weekends, evenings, or overnight based on the facility’s hours of operation. You might also have to work holidays, especially in hospital environments.

Most diagnostic imaging employees work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and physicians’ offices. Other possible work environments include nursing homes, community clinics, and emergency centers.

Possible job titles and similar jobs

Some of the possible job titles you might see when pursuing an ultrasound technician position include:

Ultrasound technician
Ultrasound technologist
Ultrasonographer
Ultrasound tech
Cardiac sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Diagnostic cardiovascular sonographer
Medical sonographer
Staff sonographer
Registered diagnostic medical sonographer
Sonographer

Ultrasound technologists can choose to specialize in one or more areas:

Cardiac sonographers and echocardiographers specialize in imaging of the valves, vessels, and heart.
Abdominal sonographers take images of the abdominal cavity and organs like the gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and liver.
Musculoskeletal sonographers specialize in imaging the tendons, joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Pediatric sonographers conduct imaging on children and infants.
Obstetric and gynecologic (OBGYN) sonographers conduct and analyze female reproductive organs and unborn baby imaging.
Breast sonographers focus on identifying tumors and cysts through breast tissue imaging.
Vascular sonographers and vascular technologists examine imaging of blood vessels and measure blood volume and pressure to identify blood clots.
Neurosonographers take diagnostic images of the brain.

Though there are many specialty areas in ultrasound technology, the duties and responsibilities remain the same throughout — to conduct sonography tests through the operation of imaging equipment.

Related positions you might be interested in pursuing are:

Cardiovascular technologist – $59,100 (median)
Radiologic technologist – $64,840 (median)
Respiratory therapist – $63,090 (median)

Tips to land an ultrasound tech position

Research job posts. Look for ultrasound technician job posts to identify the requirements you need for any specific open position.
Go through a credentialed degree or certification program for ultrasound sonography.
Acquire an internship for on-the-job experience to improve your chances of landing a full-time job.