What Kind of Careers Can an Ultrasound Tech Get Into?

With a sonography degree, there are a number of ultrasound tech career options available for you to pursue. In smaller hospitals and facilities, one team of ultrasound techs will work on all cases, but in many situations, you can specialize, which makes you more marketable as an employee. After a few years as a general ultrasound tech, you may want to consider one of the following career paths:

OB/GYN Ultrasound Tech

When you think of ultrasound, you likely think of techs that work in OB/GYN offices to show mothers pictures of the children they’re carrying. As an OB/GYN ultrasound tech, however, you’ll specialize in the female reproductive system in general, meaning that you could be responsible for imaging dealing with issues not related to babies. This field, however, is extremely rewarding because of all the expecting parents with which you’ll deal on a daily basis. It can be really exciting to give someone the first glimpse of their baby!

Neurosonographer

If you’re an ultrasound tech working with issues relating to the brain, you’ll be called a neurosonographer. This type of ultrasound work also deals with the rest of the nervous system and is especially helpful in neonatal care. Other imaging machines use waves that could be extremely damaging to newborns, especially premature infants, so ultrasound machines are a much safer choice and still give doctors the information they need to know in most cases.

Abdominal Ultrasound Techs

As an abdominal ultrasound tech, your job will focus on diseases involving the lower abdomen, such as those that affect the kidneys, liver, gall bladder, intestines, and stomach. Abdominal sonographers also work to diagnose diseases of the male reproductive system, though these are less common than sonographs needed for the female reproductive system.

Breast Ultrasound Techs

Breast cancer affects millions of women and men across the country, and one of the way that it can be detected early is with a breast sonograph. Ultrasound techs working win the mammography department can also track the growth of tumors found in the breasts or help biopsy breasts. The machines used for breast sonography are slightly different than other sonography machines, so ultrasound techs have to be trained in this field to accurately use them.

Ophthalmologic Ultrasound Tech

If you have an interest in optometry, you might want to specialize in ophthalmologic sonography, which is sonography of the eye. This type of ultrasound tech can work in both hospitals and optometry offices, as well as in specialty hospitals.

Echocardiographer

Also known as a cardiac sonographer or cardiac ultrasound tech, an echocardiographer specializes in sonography of the heart. In this position, you’ll be able to see a patient’s heart to monitor blood flow, look at valve function and chamber size, and evaluate the condition of the heart and surrounding tissue. Imaging done with a sonograph is less dangerous, since there is no radiation involved, so it’s often the best choice when possible.

Top Online Ultrasound Schools

AS in Healthcare	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix is America's largest accredited online university. With their associate's degree in Health Care, Phoenix offers its students a way to prepare for an entry-level position in the ultrasound technician field.
AS in Allied Health	South University — You can apply for South University's associate's degree in Allied Health Science to earn your requirements for an ultrasound career. You'll discover that this degree is one of the fastest you can earn online.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — Apply for Keiser's Medical Assisting associate's degree to fast-track your ultrasound technician career. Learn how to use ultrasound, x-ray and EKG equipment with your training here.
AS in Medical Assisting AS in Health IT	Kaplan University — Kaplan University is one of the largest accredited online colleges, and their associate's degrees in medical assisting or in health information technology can help you gain the education you need to begin your ultrasound career. This is a fast and flexible degree that can provide the foundation you need for your ultrasound technical career.
AS in Health IT	DeVry University — With their associate's degree in health information technology program, DeVry University prepares students to be HIT leaders in contemporary hospitals, physician's offices, medical clinics, and more.
BS in Health Services Mgmt	Virginia College Online — If you want to complete a health-based interdisciplinary studies degree online that will prepare you for ultrasound technology as well as for management, then apply for Virginia College's bachelor's degree in Health Services Management. The tuition for each program includes the cost of every textbook for every course.
BA in Medical Technology	Ashford University — Ashford University's BA degree in health care studies with a concentration in medical technology will give students a wide knowledge of the health care industry, but include specialization on the latest in medical technology, preparing some for an advanced role in the ultrasound technician field.
AS in Health Administration	California Coast University — Students looking for placement in an entry-level healthcare management position soon after graduation need look no further than California Coast University's associate's in health care administration degree program.
BS in Healthcare Informatics	Walden University — Walden University's BS in healthcare informatics degree program is designed to prepare its students with the knowledge of technical, ethical, and social issues required to advance their careers in the healthcare technology industry.
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