Ultrasound Technician
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
Annual openings
120
BLS median wage
$108,410
Typical education
Associate's degree
10-year growth
+11%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Associate's degree
Credential requirement
No specific credential listed yet
Work experience
Entry-level
Experience detail
This is an entry-level role so no experience in a Healthcare environment is required. However, full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with previous Healthcare and Customer Service experience being valued.
Employer competency information
Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job
- Critical and Analytical Thinking — Applying theory and knowledge to correlate with a patient’s results and identifying when the results do not correlate with the current situation.
- Basic Problem Solving — Following procedures to analyze a specimen, but also being able to troubleshoot and solve issues as they arise.
- Health & Safety — Knowing and following institutional policies in an ethical manner and leading by example in dealing with specimens in a proper manner.
- Teamwork — Interacting professionally with colleagues and other members of the Healthcare team.
- Communication and Customer Focus — Communicate effectively with patients, to provide good customer service, co-workers, to facilitate effective shift handoffs of in-process activities, and physicians/care providers so that test results are understood and appropriate action/treatment can be taken.
- Tools & Technology — Must be able to skillfully use laboratory information software and instrument software.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Automation exposure
Moderate exposure
Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.
A typical day
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
- Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.