Are you wondering what diagnostic medical sonography certification is about? Worry not. I Will break it down into a simpler form.
Diagnostic is derived from diagnosis. It has to do with a series of steps taken to know what is wrong with a patient. It involves history, physical examination, and investigations.
Medical is a common term we are acquainted with. It has to do with medicine which is a profession that deals with the possible causes of illness in a patient and proffers solutions to make the patient attain good health.
Sonography is derived from two words, Sono which means sound, and graphy means record. Sonography means to record sounds. Technically, in medicine, it is an act of using sound waves to detect possible abnormalities or determine the architecture, function, and content of a normal and abnormal structure. An example is the use of ultrasound to determine if there is a presence of a fetus in the womb of a woman an n. A sonographer is someone that is well educated with the skills involved in sonography. In medicine, the role of a sonographer is very important.
Certification is evidence or proof that one is well educated and acquainted in a field.
Diagnostic medical sonography certification has to do with obtaining evidence, usually, a certificate on the skill and educational qualification possessed in the field of sonography. A certified sonographer is much more recognized than an uncertified one. Hence, the need for diagnostic medical sonography certification cannot be under estimated.
Steps Involved in Obtaining Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certification include:
Taking certificate courses for those previously in the health field in accredited institutions
- Having a high school diploma or secondary school living certificate or its equivalent before proceeding to Universities that are accredited for the course
- Two years degree program can also be done to obtain diagnostic medical certification in an accredited university or with programs in sonography training
- Through experience which may be during or after schooling.
- There may be a need to pass the American registry for diagnostic medical sonography principles and instrumentation exams, and ARDMS-SPI exams for those willing to obtain, this is because this institution gives licenses that are recognized worldwide. To write the certification exam, one must graduate from a school accredited by CAAHEP which is the Commission on accreditation of allied health education program
Things to Check in Any Institution to Obtain Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certification include:
- Accreditation. Check if the university is accredited to take the course, it’s not advisable to go to universities or institutions not accredited. Example is the university of Colarado in . This requires students to have bachelor degree in science or medical field or have an associate degree in two years allied health program. Harpers college in Palatine offers a 24 course work for those that don’t have previous knowledge on how to be a diagnostic medical sonographer and know the process.
- Admission requirements.: Need to check if one meets up with the admission requirements
- Field of specialization: Need to check if one’s field of interest is in the institution of interest.
Certification in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Can Be Obtained in Different Fields
- Abdominal sonography: This field requires the use of a transducer that uses the principle of sound waves to detect the content in the abdomen. Structures such as the gall bladder, liver, and spleen, amongst others may be seen.
- Breast sonography: This has to do with checking the anatomy, physiology, and any pathology in the breast. Anomalies like tumors may be detected if there is excessive proliferation of certain cells in the breast
- Echocardiography: This has to do with imaging the heart structure
- Musculoskeletal sonography: From the word, it has to do with using sound to produce pictures of joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons to know if there are any alterations in the normal architecture in case there is a tear, sprains, damage to overlying soft tissues, amongst others
- Obstetrics and gynecology sonography: This is very common, it involves sounding the abdominal and pelvic region in females generally to check for pregnancy as applied to obstetrics and female reproductive organs as applied to gynecology.
Importance of Obtaining the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate
- Certified sonographers are more favored in the employment market than uncertified ones
- Being a certified sonographer can go a long way in achieving financial stability because certified sonographers are well paid
- Being in the field will have a great influence on knowing the State of the arts meaning the various technologies and advancements that can contribute positively to the betterment of health.
- Once in the field of studying, one can harness one’s potential in the various subspecialties to know where one Will perform best before specializing
- It is a medical field that assists in detecting what is invisible to the naked eye. Detecting pathologies can guide the treatment of patients.
- A certified sonographer is a lifesaver
- There is increasing demand for sonographers, being a certified sonographer makes one select from available offers.
Conclusion
The field of sonography is a very important and good one. Being a certified medical sonographer is necessary to save a life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does it takes long to become a sonographer?
Answer: It depends on the pathway you follow. Duration ranges from 1 to 4 years
2. Is sonography a good field to dwell in.
Answer: Yes, there are even many good areas you can specialize in, depending on the area of interest
3. Which field should I go for
Answer: It depends on your field of interest, each area has its peculiarities though
4. Will I have money if I become a sonographer?
Answer: A certified sonographer is usually in high demand, and there is a high possibility of attaining financial stability being in the field.
