There are, however, distinct advantages and disadvantages to each. If they are, what sets them apart? Last medically reviewed on October 24, 2018. Certification programs will also teach students how to recognize normal and abnormal image results. Radiologic technologists typically operate equipment that uses radiation to create medical images. During this time, youll study anatomy, patient procedures, MRI physics, cross-sectional anatomy, and how to conduct MRI scans. They also have the option to attend an approved nursing program. They also often need certification from a credentialing organization like the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. More responsibilities include measuring the thickness of the body part targeted for examination, prepping patients for a diagnostic imaging exam, determining the patients phobia, and easing any fears by reassuring patients of the procedures safety. The sonographer reviews the doctor's orders, looks at the patients' medical history, and explains to the patient what to expect during the imaging process. balance of work/family (personal life)- More family friendly, but not as flexible as Nursing schedule wise. Radiologic and ultrasound technologists enjoy rewarding careers in delivering key information to doctors. Gaining additional certificates in diagnostic medical sonography can significantly increase job opportunities and salaries. Students who have a degree in a patient-care-related field may be able to apply for shorter-term certificate programs. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The starting salary for an ultrasound tech can be up to about $59,000, or $28.67 an hour, depending on the employer and job market. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been designed to destroy or modify abnormal tissue in the body without opening the skin. As of May 2018, the median salary for MRI techs was more than $71,000, with the lowest 10% earning just over $50,000. They also need critical thinking skills to evaluate the best techniques to use for various diagnostic procedures. On average, ultrasound technicians across the country make around $68,970, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an unemployment rate of 1.9 percent. All radiography schools must be fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology. Footnotes1. Also, your level of education, as well as your job role, will play a part in determining how long you study. Some of the most common include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiovascular interventional radiology, fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, and angiography. Exploring Sonography Careers: What Is Pediatric Sonography? The mean annual salary for a sonographer is $80,680. Sonography is a diagnostic imaging technique using pulses of high-frequency sound waves to probe tissues, organs, blood vessels, or a fetus. Ultrasound technologists, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, use sonography, a noninvasive, painless method that produces images of soft tissues, blood flow, organs, and blood vessels. The growing need for radiology and ultrasound techs may further push salaries up. Others include maintaining patient records during & after procedures. Required fields are marked *. Ready to start looking into sonographer and ultrasound tech programs? Spending time at a college or university offers students more time to practice their skills before taking their certification exams, and they may also have the opportunity to study multiple specialties. For instance, ultrasound technicians who want to become certified in cardiovascular sonography frequently go through coursework and educational programs with a focus on the cardiovascular system, heart disease diagnosis, and other research on heart health and disease prevention. Learn more. Ultrasound technologists must have excellent listening and verbal skills to effectively communicate with doctors and patients. Both ultrasound technicians and diagnostic medical sonographers can advance their careers by continuing their education, earning certifications, and taking on more responsibility in other medical fields. For those who arent in the healthcare field yet, this is an excellent way to start an exciting new career. Ultrasound imaging for breasts is important for performing a mammogram without radiation, if the breasts are particularly dense, or if the woman is under the age of 25. A generalized sonographer understands basic human anatomy, medical language, how to use the equipment, how to write reports, and how to present the images to the doctor or physician. On the other hand, radiology positions are expected to increase by about 9%. It's important for a sonographer to develop a rapport with patients while displaying confidence and professionalism at all times. Exposed parts of the patients body are protected with radiation-resistant protective equipment. Here, radiology technology is deployed to help produce images for review. People who work with ultrasound . AIMS offers students an immersive learning environment that will provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in healthcare. The sonographer takes images of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints throughout the body. Yes, but you need additional training/courses. A lot of this comes down to an aging Baby Boomers who are in worse health than previous generations and make up around 25% of the population. Upon receiving the diagnostic cardiovascular sonographer certification, the student can then register to pass the credentialing examination administered by either Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). A specialized abdominal sonographer works with doctors to image organs within the abdomen. For those who want to focus solely on MRI, its also possible to earn a certificate, associate, or bachelors degree in MRI Technology. They look for normal growth and development as well as any abnormalities or pregnancy complications. After completing your classroom and lab hours, your program should place you with an MRI mentor in a clinical internship. If theyve never been in an MRI machine where theyre expected to lie very still in an extremely small space for a series of minutes most people become quite anxious. Training to be an ultrasound technologist often takes two years (or more), depending on the school and type of program you've chosen. Sonographers may concentrate on providing care for pregnant patients in more specialized settings, such as an obstetricians office. If you are considering a healthcare career, you may be wondering what is the difference between diagnostic medical sonography and ultrasound technician work? Thats why weve done the research to help you make such an important professional decision. While this specific sonography concentration isn't offered at Concorde, the Neurodiagnostic Technology program which uses specialized equipment to look at a patient's nervous system is available at Concorde. There is a distinction between the two, though: An ultrasound is a device used to take a picture. Physical Therapy Assistant, New Industry Technology for Medical Assistants. Neurosonology sonography is an emerging field in advanced ultrasound, and technicians need a solid grasp of the nervous system, spinal column, the brain, and specific medical terminology for the entire nervous system. Ultrasound machines also give the sonographer the ability to wheel the machine to immobile or very sick patients without risking further harm to the patient. If youve got great bedside manner and can set a patients mind at ease, youre likely to excel in your role. The sonography profession (like most healthcare professions) has staffing needs during days, evenings, nights, holidays, weekends, and often requires call coverage depending on the employer's needs. The ultrasound machines then process those signals and transform them into images. Some neurosonographers specialize in neonatal brain imaging and help when the physician is looking for neurological disorders in infants. A hair strand drug test can be used to detect drugs used over the past 90 days. Let's take a look at several concentrations and fields that a sonographer can specialize in. Ultrasound technologists can expect a promising job market. More courses include obstetrics & gynecology sonography, abdominal sonography, vascular ultrasound, ultrasound physics, medical terminology, and anatomy & physiology of the heart. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions. Generally, most employers hire diagnostic medical sonographers based on their knowledge, technical skills, and certification. Youll discover that sonography and radiology are used interchangeably in many situations. After concluding the test, sonography techs inform medical teams of any abnormalities detected. It's important for the sonographer to have a solid grasp of the abdominal area and the systems within it. If youre looking to be an active part of patient treatment, why not consider the unique and rewarding career of medical sonography? This program is also 18 months in length, and results in qualification for the ARDMS registry. In other cases, ultrasound technicians may pursue radiology degrees to increase their earning potential and broaden their knowledge of medical and diagnostic imaging. Radiologic and ultrasound technologists are responsible for: Radiologic and ultrasound technologists work in similar environments, such as hospitals, doctors offices, or outpatient care centers. Additionally, some states require ultrasound technologists to obtain a license. Our site does not feature every educational option available on the market. (Plus Duties), How To Set Up a Sales Commission Plan in 4 Simple Steps. But this does not mean it's an easy task to perform as a technician. Register for the certification with the Alliance for Physician Certification and Advancement. Each of these areas highlights the main differences between radiology and ultrasound techs. Technician Ultrasound Technician Shreveport, LA Ultrasound Technician, Shreveport, LA. Sonography is a medical procedure involving ultrasound or sound waves to produce visual images of organs and tissues. Sonographers who wish to specialize in this field need specialized training and education. The biggest difference between radiology technologists and ultrasound technologists is the technology they use to create images. This procedure involves placing the breast on a platform of the mammography imaging unit. Abdominal scanning and pathology: Ultrasound techs take classes specializing in techniques for diagnosing the abdominal region. If youre in the New Jersey area, visit our DMS page to discover more about sonography certification programs. Pay The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $60,570 in May 2021. Pursuing a certificate is a great choice for current allied healthcare professionals (like medical assistants) who are already working in the medical field. These last anywhere from one to four-year programs. The field of ultrasound technology known as sonography, or diagnostic medical sonography, focuses on using ultrasounds to detect, diagnose, and treat disease in the bodys soft tissues and organs. Having a bachelors degree rather than just an associate degree or certificate offers serious advantages in this highly competitive field. These individual certifications will give you the ability to choose your future career path within the medical sonography world. Both types of sonographers have an equal chance of getting hired, however, the biggest difference typically revolves around income. Sonography is a type of diagnostic imaging that helps doctors see various parts of the body to help them evaluate and monitor various health conditions in men, women, and children. Even though these professions are sometimes used to imply the same thing, by definition, sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images. Bone sonography is used to determine bone density. Breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, and neuro sonography are more specialties. You already probably know that medical sonographers and MRI technologists scan internal body parts to help physicians diagnose a variety of health conditions. So whats the right way for you to become an ultrasound tech? Do they have any similarities? Also, these technicians get to keep updated with current radiology practices. While there arent huge differences between MRI technologist and sonographer salaries and working environments, choosing between the two careers can be tricky unless you know more about each role. The career paths of RN and sonographer are very similar in salary and time spent in school. While there are some areas where the duties of an ultrasound technician and a sonographer are similar, there are also some areas where they can be different. Plus, you can determine the specifics of specializing in either of them. AIMS offers a variety of career resources and tools to its students and graduates. Images may reveal: Not only are Neurosonographers imaging the brain, but they also image the spinal column and nervous system. Diagnostic sonography programs focus on a number of subject areas including patient care, anatomy, ultrasound physics, and scanning techniques. Other job titles for this type of position include diagnostic medical sonographer, ultrasound technician and sonographer. A closer look at each point of comparison enables you to choose what specialty to go for. Sonogram is the image produced by an ultrasound examination. Like ultrasound techs, the study duration for radiology techs is primarily determined by the program or subspecialty they pursue. As you read this article, youll find information on different aspects of both specializations. These classes allow students to qualify for additional certifications and broaden their employment possibilities. Disorders they may find include: To obtain a certification as a Neurosonology Sonographer, register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (1) to receive credentials in Neurosonology. Sonography, or diagnostic medical sonography, is the field of ultrasound technology that focuses on using ultrasounds to monitor, diagnose and treat disease in the soft tissues and organs of the body. From ultrasounds to X-rays, medical imaging can help keep people healthy and save lives. These include presenting a detailed explanation of the entire treatment process to the patient. Most people think of pregnancy when they think of getting a sonogram. You have a choice between professional diagnostic medical sonography degree programs and programs leading to ultrasound technician certification. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It may also offer instruction on how to behave to put the patient at ease. Radiology technologists create images of patients' bodies using technology that primarily requires radiation, including: X-ray: Images commonly used to look at bones and joints Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Skills for any sonographer or ultrasound technician include: Also called echocardiographers, cardio sonographers work with cardiac doctors to help physicians diagnose heart problems. You will also need appropriate training on using these devices. The ultrasound technician is also called an ultrasound technologist or Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. It is another word used to describe an ultrasound. An accredited diagnostic medical sonography certificate usually involves 2-3 years of study and typically includes an extensive clinical internship (which can last as long as 8 months). The lowest-paid locations were at medical and diagnostic laboratories, which still commanded an impressive $70,000. No matter how you look at it (or where you look for an ultrasound tech job), the field of medical sonography is overwhelmingly positive. Contact Concorde for more information about training for this exciting career. In the last 20 years, advancements in technology have increased the capabilities and accuracy of medical imaging, allowing doctors to choose the best therapies and provide patients with peace of mind. In the case of ultrasound techs, subspecialties cover abdominal sonography, obstetric and gynecologic sonography, breast sonography, and neuro sonography. Physicians are looking at the structure of the heart and the blood flow to see if there are blockages or deterioration of the heart muscle. The most-recognized certification for sonography is offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Sonographers make sure the equipment is in proper running condition. Radiologic Technologist vs. Ultrasound Technologist: Roles and Responsibilities, 3 items. Registered nursing is a much larger . A sonographer, also referred to as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS), works with doctors and medical practitioners to provide images from the ultrasound machine. Approximately 36,000 MRI technologists were employed in 2016, compared to 67,000 diagnostic medical sonographers. The sonographer records the findings in the patients' file and submits the images and analysis to the patients' physician. The equipment uses 2D and 3D images of the heart and its chambers. The TCD machine monitors and measures blood flow within vessels found in the brain. The technology behind the difference between ultrasound and sonogram is a little more complex than a simple machine and image being created, however, this is the basic definition. Fortunately, there are ultrasound and sonography programs that span the certificate, Associates and Bachelors degree levels. Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Having decided on going for either of these healthcare professions, youll need to determine what specialization to go for. Other roles include creating reports, troubleshooting faulty equipment, and identifying and recording related pathology & anatomy from sonography equipment. The person who performs this task can also be referred to as a "sonographer". Remember: As you gain experience and add specialty areas to your list of certifications, your pay can increase dramatically. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow, Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, What Are the Different Fields of Sonography?, Sonographer Job Outlook, Salary, and Description, MRI Certificate Salary and Career Opportunities, Preparing and maintaining medical equipment, Ensuring images capture the correct areas of the body, Positioning patients to capture needed images. Some of the things the physician looks for are: The breast sonographer looks at nearby lymph nodes for anything unusual. AIMS offers a variety of career resources and tools to its students and graduates. The job outlook for radiology techs has been projected to grow by about 9% by the next decade (2020 to 2030). Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistice, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm. 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