Here's why Sonography School Could Be the Perfect Match for You

Do you plan to work in the health care industry? If helping people handle accidents, illnesses, and other health-related issues is something that interests you, there are an endless number of options. Choosing the type of service you want to offer is where the challenge comes in. Sonography is one area that offers a lot of challenges and the opportunity to work with advanced technology. After all, an ultrasound technician does a lot more than give expectant parents an early picture of their new baby. Here are seven reasons sonography school could be the best choice for you.

1. Vascular sonography helps prevent deaths due to heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for 25 percent of all mortality each year. Studying vascular sonography can give you the tools to help people avoid a fatal heart attack by giving doctors information about a patient's venous system. A 2-D ultrasound provides a flat image of the blood vessels, allowing doctors to see any malformations or occlusions. Using a Doppler Ultrasound, you can see the direction and speed of blood flow, helping with any diagnosis related to restricted blood flow.

2. Medical imaging technology gets better every year.

As a sonographer, you get to use some of the best and most precise imaging technology in the world. If new gadgets get you excited, imagine using ultrasound machines that can take pictures of the inside of your veins. An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body, so as the technology becomes more precise, the image quality gets a lot better.

3. Work with the public, but avoid being the person handing out bad news.

As a sonographer, you will be part of the diagnostic process, but you won't have to give the diagnosis. That means you can meet lots of people without being the bad guy, which could be a definite plus. You might need to take down a patient history and maintain medical records, but you won't diagnose problems.

4. Fight cancer from the front lines with advanced breast screenings.

When abnormalities show up on a mammogram, the next step in the diagnostic process is an ultrasound of the breast tissue. An ultrasound can give doctors more information about what the issue is. Sometimes, an abnormality on a mammogram is nothing. Other times it can be an early indicator of cancer. In either case, as a sonographer, you would be the person administering the follow-up to find out.

5. Flexible scheduling is another big benefit to a future in sonography.

Schedules are often shift work, but you might find a job offers overnight hours, weekend only shifts, or on-call coverage. Hospitals are open 24-hours, every day of the year. That may give you the flexibility to choose the schedule that works best for you. If you have social commitments or family, you might prefer a traditional 9-5 schedule. If you want to continue your education after you start working as an ultrasound tech, you might prefer to be able to switch shifts around for classes.

6. Be the first to see a new baby.

When doing ultrasounds on pregnant women, you get to see babies as they develop. Part of the process involves measuring fetal development, checking for issues with the chambers of the heart and looking for signs that may indicate a problem. Your work could save a baby's life by giving doctors the information they need to start a course of treatment as early as possible.

7. National certification could let you work just about anywhere.

The two accrediting agencies, ARDMS or ARRT, that administer certification exams are national agencies. This means that earning your certifications allows you to work anywhere in the United States.

8. Get paid for doing what you love.

Finding work you feel passionate about is priceless. Enough said!

Ultrasound technology at ecpi is what I plan to do

— Ana (@anaa_preciado) October 2, 2014

If you are interested in becoming a certified sonographer, consider an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from ECPI University. Earning your degree could let you enjoy a rewarding future as an ultrasound technologist. Contact ECPI University today for more information. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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