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How to Become an OB Ultrasound Tech
If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the medical field, you may want to consider becoming an OB ultrasound technician. OB ultrasound techs provide vital diagnostic services to obstetricians and gynecologists, helping to ensure the health of mothers and babies during pregnancy.
Becoming an OB ultrasound tech requires completing an accredited training program and passing a certification exam. With the right training and certification, you can begin a rewarding career in
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Job Description
An OB ultrasound tech is a medical professional who uses ultrasounds to capture images of the inside of a patient’s body. OB ultrasound techs typically work in hospitals or clinics and are responsible for providing diagnostic imaging services to obstetricians, gynecologists, and other medical professionals.
Duties of an OB ultrasound tech
An OB ultrasound technologist, also called a diagnostic medical sonographer is a medical professional who specializes in using diagnostic ultrasound to provide visual images of a patient’s unborn baby. The technologist typically works in a hospital obstetrics department or in a private obstetrician’s office.
OB ultrasound technologists must have formal training in diagnostic ultrasound technology. Most technologists complete an accredited two-year associate’s degree program, although some may enter the field with a certificate or diploma from a one-year program. In addition, most states regulate the practice of diagnostic medical sonography, and OB ultrasound technologists must be licensed or certified in order to work.
The duties of an OB ultrasound technologist vary depending on the employer and the specific needs of the patient population, but they typically include performing ultrasound examinations on pregnant women, communicating results to obstetricians and other members of the medical team, and providing patient education and support.
Education and Qualifications
OB ultrasound techs must have specialized training in order to work in this field. There are a few different ways to become qualified for this position. The first way is to attend a two-year college and obtain an Associate’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The second way is to attend a four-year college and obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for becoming an OB ultrasound tech include completing an accredited training program and obtaining certification. Most accredited programs will require you to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some may require you to have completed some college coursework as well. Certification is not required in all states, but it is generally recommended in order to improve your employment prospects.
Degree options
The first step to becoming an ultrasound tech is completing an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program. Many community colleges and technical schools offer certification programs that take two years or less to complete, although some four-year colleges also offer bachelor’s degree programs in diagnostic medical sonography.
Most programs include coursework in anatomy and physiology, while also teaching students how to operate ultrasound equipment and how to perform various types of scans. Students will also have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations, which will give them hands-on experience working with patients. After completing a diagnostic medical sonography program, graduates will be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Certification
Although certification is not required to become an OB ultrasound tech, many employers prefer or require it. Certification shows that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job. There are a number of organizations that offer certification, but the most common is the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). To be eligible for certification, you must have graduated from an accredited program and passed an exam.
Skills Needed
There are certain skills that are needed in order to become an OB ultrasound tech. Firstly, you need to have excellent communication skills. This is because you will be dealing with patients on a daily basis and you need to be able to build a rapport with them. Secondly, you need to have good organizational skills. This is because you will be responsible for managing patient files and keeping track of appointments. Finally, you need to be able to work well under pressure. This is because you will often have to work in fast-paced environment and you need to be able to handle multiple tasks at once.
Physical skills
You’ll need to be able to:
— Stand for long periods of time
— Lift and move patients
— Twist and turn
— Bend and stoop
— Have excellent hand-eye coordination
In addition, you must be able to:
— Communicate effectively with patients, doctors and other health care professionals
— Follow instructions
— Think critically and solve problems
Mental skills
Objectivity: You will be reading and interpreting images produced by the ultrasound machine. This will require you to be objective in your analysis and not let your personal biases or beliefs interfere with your work.
Critical Thinking: You will need to be able to evaluate the images produced by the machine and make decisions about what they mean. This will require you to think critically about the data you are seeing and form conclusions based on that data.
Attention to Detail: You will need to be able to pay attention to the details of the images you are looking at in order to make accurate interpretations. This attention to detail is essential in ensuring that you are providing accurate information to the physicians who rely on your work.
Work Environment
OB ultrasound techs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The work can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. OB ultrasound techs must be able to work well under pressure and be able to think on their feet.
Where OB ultrasound techs work
OB ultrasound techs can find work in a variety of medical settings. The most common work setting is in a hospital, typically in the labor and delivery department. Many hospitals have outpatient clinics that offer OB ultrasound services as well. Some techs also find work in private physicians’ offices, but this is less common.
In some cases, OB ultrasound techs may be able to find work as traveling medical professionals. Traveling OB ultrasound techs typically work for companies that provide contract staffing services to health care facilities. These positions may require the tech to relocate for several months at a time.
Salary and job outlook
If you are looking for a career in the medical field that offers a lot of job security, then you may want to consider becoming an OB ultrasound tech. With the baby boomers reaching retirement age, there will be an increased demand for OB ultrasound techs in the coming years. The average salary for an OB ultrasound tech is $75,000 per year.
Salary
The median salary for an OB ultrasound tech is $72,510 per year. The salary range is between $64,690 and $81,330 per year. The job outlook for this career is positive, with a projected growth of 44% between 2016 and 2026.
Job outlook
The job outlook for OB ultrasound techs is strong, with an expected 27% growth in employment opportunities between 2019 and 2029. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for OB ultrasound techs will continue to grow as the population ages and more women have babies later in life.
OB ultrasound techs earned a median salary of $63,630 in 2019. Salaries can vary depending on your experience, employer, geographical location, and type of facility.
