Options Staffing 360 has over 20 years of experience connecting vetted, certified medical professionals with the medical offices that need their support. We work to help our staff find the positions they need to thrive, matching up professionals with environments and hours that allow them to do what they do best.

For the Ultrasound Tech

If you’re interested in working as an ultrasound technician, you may have already received the appropriate education and be looking at jobs, or you may be just starting. 

Before choosing your ultrasound specialty, you should have a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. You may be able to find one related explicitly to sonography and ultrasound work, like diagnostic medical imaging. Otherwise, a health science degree is a good start.

Once you have this degree, begin considering your area of specialty. There are five primary areas of specialty for sonography: the most commonly known being gynecologic and obstetric, as well as breast (mainly for detecting cancer), abdominal (examining abdominal organs such as the liver and bladder), neuro (the brain), and cardiac or vascular (examining the heart and vessels). You don’t have to be limited to one specialty.

Certifications

Once you know your specialty, you can follow any of the three following certification pathways to prepare yourself for your career. Each has a variety of certifications, and some will suit your specialty better than others. 

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

ARDMS has a certification for each of the five specialties we’ve discussed, and they are titled as follows: Midwife Sonography Certificate, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Registered Vascular Technologist and Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS). An annual fee maintains your certification, and you must pursue recertification every six years.

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

CCI’s certifications are: Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS), Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT), Certified Rhythm Analyst Technician (CRAT), Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS), Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), Registered PhlebologySonographer (RPHS) and Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS).

Like ARDMS, you have to pay a yearly fee to maintain your certification. CCI expects you to provide evidence of continued education every three years.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

ARRT recommends that you earn your certification through their Primary Eligibility Pathway. This program allows you to be certified in general sonography and vascular sonography. This program is a stepping stone to advanced certifications. Like the other programs, a yearly fee maintains your certification, and you will need to do more coursework every two years.

Regardless of your specialty, we can help you find the perfect position with the hours and work environment you need to thrive!