Medical Sonography as a career?

[boogiemom]

I am feeling the need to go back to school and work towards a degree in something that could support my family if the need arises. I would love to get my M.S.W. but it's doubtful that would result in the financial stability I'm seeking. So, I'm looking towards the healthcare field to offer that stability. I do not want to do anything that would involve blood, fluids, etc.. so I have located a program that is conveniently located and relatively inexpensive that would provide me with the training needed to be a medical sonographer. Although, in some ways it seems silly to go back to school for an associates degree when I already have one and a bachelors degree in something unrelated.

Does anyone have any feedback on job satisfaction, demand, etc. in this field? I realize that I won't make my millions but the pay seems pretty good for the amount of education needed, plus job stability is purported to be very good.

Any feedback?

Thanks!

[zag95]

I used to do healthcare recruiting in up until 2002 when I had my own career change! All of the areas I recruited for were the non-nursing professionals:

Radiation Therapists
Radiologic Techs
MRI techs
US Tech (Ultrasound techs)
Nuclear Med Tech.....


Any one of these is a hot job- as you know in healthcare, particularly at hospitals, it is a 24/7 business. All of these fields have shortages (still!!!) and command wages comparable (or slightly under a RN)- I think in 2002 it was like $20-30/hr DOE plus shift diff, etc.

If you are interested in this field- GO FOR it!!!:cheerleader1:

[pinkmomagain]

I don't have any great advice, but I'll be watching this thread closely. This is a field I have considered as well!

[sste]

As pp mentioned also research rad tech and rad assistant programs. Pays well. Radiologists generally keep very good hours.

[jenny]

I used to write for an imaging magazine and attended conferences for imaging professionals.

It is a hot field and you can make a good deal of money. Not sure about ultrasound, but i know that the other techs in nuclear medicine or CT or x-ray had to help lift heavy patients to the scanner ... so that's something to consider.

go to the society of diagnostic medical sonography and read up on the latest happenings in the field and the issues.

here's a link off of their page about considering a career change.
http://www.sdms.org/career/career.asp

[jenny]

As pp mentioned also research rad tech and rad assistant programs. Pays well. Radiologists generally keep very good hours.


Radiologists are the actual doctors who read the x-rays. Radiologic technologists are the people who take the images.

there are good rad tech programs and a few rad assistant programs around and some if not most programs are at night so you can work around your day schedule.

Rad techs make the least amount of money compared to the other modalities, but it's a hefty sum.

you won't have a career with "good" hours unless you find a job in an imaging center with 9-5 slots. If you work at a hospital, you could do night shift. and you know that most of the jobs are going to be at hospitals b/c that's where the highest demand is.

edit: the Radiologist Assistant programs are few and far between and there's issues with getting radiologists to use them b/c there's turf battles going on.

[MMEand1]

I am in the radiology field. I started off as an x-ray tech, but am now working as an MRI tech. Depending on where you are, the job market may be maxed out as it is here. X-ray techs are not making the kind of money that most people think they make and the hours can be pretty bad, including being on-call (some Radiologist have the ability to view images from their home, so even if they are not at work, you may be). In both x-ray and MRI, there are certain exams that you do have to deal with body fluids such as starting IV's, injecting contrast, barium enemas, etc.

Hospitals and not generally very clean places, so I try to avoid wearing any of my shoes at the house that I wear at work, as well as clothing (to keep my family safe). We are faced and have to handle patients that harbor all kinds of medical problems and diseases. Lifting heavy patients is a daily occurrence, and while we do help each other, you can still hurt yourself.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from looking at the career field, but just want to let you know that it's not as easy as most people think. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mariah P.