Become an Echo Tech
An echo technician operates ultrasound equipment to perform various noninvasive echo tests on the cardiovascular areas of the body. The ultrasound equipment creates images used by a doctor to identify problem areas and diseases. Licensing requirements on how to become an echo technician may vary per state.
Contents
Steps
- Check the prerequisites for an echo tech. A college degree is not an admission requirement for training. A high school diploma or equivalent is required to enter a training program. An associate degree is recommended.
- Get the required echo technician program coursework. Standard courses include classes in:
- Anatomy Biology that deals with the structure of plants and animals.
- Physiology The study of living organisms and their parts.
- Pathology The study of diseases.
- Physics - The relationship of energy and matter.
- Take the required registry exam. Most states require an echo technician to take and pass a state certification exam before an offer of employment is made.
- Health facilities require or prefer registered echocardiographers with advanced training.
- Choose to be a pediatric echo technician or an adult echo technician. Pediatric echo technicians must register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and complete additional courses.
- To determine if a child has heart disease, a physician will request a pediatric echo technician perform sonograms.
- Adult echo technicians, at the request of a physician, perform sonograms to diagnose diseases and medical conditions of heart muscles and coronary arteries in adults.
- Seek employment opportunities. An echo tech works in a hospital or clinical setting. A tech must be proficient in:
- Performing tests to achieve images for a cardiovascular evaluation.
- Making necessary adjustments to equipment.
- Assisting in selection of equipment according to specifications.
- Explaining the exam process to patients.
- Discussing scan results with radiologists.
- Reviewing a patient's clinical history.
- Operating ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
- Producing visual images of organs.
- Creating a medical chart and record of examination.
- Performing standard maintenance of ultrasound equipment.
- Demonstrating the ultrasound equipment to staff.
- Become a member of a professional organization.
- The American Registry of Radiologic Technology (AART) is the world's largest credentialing organization and seeks to ensure high quality patient care in radiologic technology.
- The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) administers examinations and award credentials.
- Review the salary for a technician. The annual salary starts at around $35,000.
Tips
- Training can be acquired in a technical school, college or an approved, on-the-job training program.
- A technician must complete a required number of continuing education hours to maintain credentialing status.
Warnings
- The job will require long periods of standing, walking, lifting, positioning, pushing and transferring of patients.
- Work schedules may require nontraditional hours and working in a stressful environment.
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