How to Become an Ultrasound Sonographer in Chicago

Ultrasound sonographers in the Chicago area are in high demand in today's medical field. An ultrasound sonographer, also known as a medical diagnostic sonographer, uses an ultrasound device to produce images of a patient's internal body for the purpose of diagnosing a condition or as an adjunct for performing a procedure. This profession is a multispecialty discipline that includes performing ultrasound studies in the abdominal, obstetrical and gynecologic, and neurological specialties of health care. With more advanced training ultrasound sonographers may perform diagnostic studies in the cardiac, pediatric and vascular specialties.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find an accredited medical diagnostic sonographer education program in Chicago. Graduating from an accredited program is required to be eligible for registry with ARDMS. Employers require their ultrasound songraphers to be registered. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs there is one accredited diagnostic ultrasound sonographer program in the Chicago area. This is Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

2. Visit the program's website (see Resources below). Review the admission requirements for entry into the program to determine if you are qualified to apply for admission. If not you may have to complete some prerequisite courses. Contact the program administrator for information about the application and process for admission. Complete the process.

3. Successfully complete the requirements of the program and graduate. Upon completion of the program graduates can enter the workforce before taking the certifying exam. A graduate of an acredited program is considered as "registry eligible" and may be acceptable by employers. However, taking the certifying exam offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) may make you become more marketable.

4. Write a resume and submit it to prospective employers of ultrasound sonographers in the Chicago area. Employers include hospitals, clinics and freestanding diagnostic centers. Search online for open positions. Search sites such as Yahoo Hotjobs, Careerbuilder and Monster

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid non-accredited short educational programs.

Resources

• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital

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