MEDICAL SONOGRAPHER (ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGIST)
CAREER INFORMATION
Meet Kelsey!
Hi, I’m Kelsey. I was born and raised in Maui and graduated from King Kekaulike HS. In high school, I knew I wanted to get into the medical field but didn't quite know which direction. I gained an interest in ultrasound after shadowing in the hospital. I received a BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. After graduating, I worked in a community hospital in Ashland Oregon for almost 3 years before moving back home to work at Kaiser.
What do they do?
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Capture and analyze images of a patient's internal tissues and organs (ultrasounds)
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Work closely with physicians, who refer people to different specialties, by providing the images needed to assess and diagnose the patient
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Interact with patients during ultrasound procedures, walk through instructions
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Review the medical notes and charts of patients prior to ultrasound procedures
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Prepare patients for diagnostic testing and answer any questions
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Assist physicians in performing ultrasound-guided procedures (i.e. injections and biopsies)
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Manage equipment settings and maintenance
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Option of specializing in a particular type of imaging
What equipment do
they use?
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Basic ultrasound machine
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Various ultrasound transducers and probes
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Ultrasound gel
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Ultrasound intravenous contrast agents
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Computers for picture archiving and electronic medical records
Education Guide
To become a diagnostic medical sonographer, complete a bachelor's or associate's degree. Next, pass a certification exam and obtain a license to practice.
STEP 1
Complete an associate’s or bachelor's degree.
Associate's Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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2 years at a university or community college
OR
Bachelor's of Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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4 years at a university
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Prerequisite courses for the 1st year: Anatomy and physiology, trigonometry, chemistry, medical terminology, and English
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Apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the university
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Benefits in comparison to an associates degree: More career options, higher positions and pay, and more clinical experience and basic science education as a student
STEP 2
Complete the Ultrasound Technologist Certification.
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Through Cardiovascular Credentialing International or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
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Complete an ultrasound program from an accredited school and pass ARDMS exam
STEP 3
Continued Medical Education (CME).
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Required to maintain certification
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Must complete 30 ARDMS accepted CME credits every 3 years
General Courses
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Echocardiography
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Obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound
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Abdominal ultrasound
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Vascular ultrasound
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Ultrasound physics
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Medical terminology
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Human anatomy and physiology
What opportunities are in Hawaiʻi?
University of Hawaii Programs
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Although there are no diagnostic medical sonography programs in the state of Hawaii, prerequisite courses may be obtained at the various University of Hawaii campuses, shortening the length of time to obtain an Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
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Contact the individual sonography programs to determine what prerequisite course credits are transferable. These programs should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health/Education Programs (CAAHEP).
CAREERS
Sonography Specialties
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Diagnostic medical sonographer
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Diagnostic cardiovascular sonographer
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Abdominal sonographer
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Obstetric sonographer
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Musculoskeletal sonographer
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Breast sonographer
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Neurosonology sonogrpaher
Work Environments
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Hospitals
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Doctors' Offices
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Diagnostic Laboratories
Salary
Average for the State of Hawaii
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Entry Level: $88,504
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Average: $105,851
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Experienced: $118,602
Select the image for full view.
SOURCE: Hawaii Career Explorer​
Median Annual Wages
Median Annual Wages
RESOURCES
​
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What’s a medical sonographer?
​
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What are the steps to becoming a medical sonographer?​
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Cardiovascular Credentialing International
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American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
​​