An ultrasound technician career can be highly rewarding. As an ultrasound technician, you can find yourself working in a variety of settings such as hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers and doctors’ offices. Ultrasound technician jobs are in demand because of the aging population, the number of people affected by heart disease and the growth of the healthcare industry.
The Program
Eastwick College allows students to earn either an associate or bachelor’s degree in the field of ultrasound technology. During the 24 month (day) or 30 month (evening) associate degree program, students will learn how to analyze ultrasound imagery of the heart and blood vessels to help make accurate medical diagnoses. After successful completion of the program, students will be qualified to determine subtle differences between a healthy heart and a diseased heart. Many hospitals with the prestigious “Magnet” award require ultrasound technicians to have a 4 year bachelor’s degree.
Ultrasound Technician Responsibilities
Ultrasound technicians work closely with physicians to assist in diagnosing and creating treatment plans for their patients. Along with the important task of performing the ultrasound, ultrasound technicians will also find themselves caring for equipment, explaining test procedures, recording medical history and analyzing results to diagnose health issues. The specialized equipment creates internal images of the heart through sound waves. The sound waves bounce back and thus the computer is able to create the images, and it takes extensive training to be able to detect issues.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists is expected to increase 17 percent by 2026, this is much faster than the average job growth rate. The annual mean wage in the NY/NJ metro area for ultrasound technicians is $63,600.
Learn more about Eastwick College’s Ultrasound Technology Degree today!