Chapter 4

Chapter Objectives

  • Explore the professional environment of the sonographer

    • Including academic accreditation, certification organizations, and professional membership societies.

  • Determine the value of leadership

    • Appreciate that we are all leaders in some way.

  • Assess various job opportunities for sonographers.

  • Work toward career goals

    • Career establishment.

Introduction

  • Opportunities in Sonography Profession

    • Make a significant impact and leave a legacy of excellence for future generations.

    • Continuous enhancement of knowledge is necessary due to the evolving health care field.

Professional Environment

  • Post-graduation opportunities include various professional organizations that provide several benefits:

    • Maintaining competence

    • Adapting to the changing healthcare environment

    • Evolution of career

    • Includes:

    • Academic accreditation

    • National certification

    • Laboratory accreditation

Academic Accreditation

  • Assessment Criterion:

    • Quality of institutions, programs, and services evaluated.

  • Demonstration of Standards:

    • Accreditation indicates the commitment to high standards in graduating exceptional entry-level sonographers.

  • National Accreditation:

    • Granted by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

    • Involves a rigorous review process:

    • Review of materials and personal site visits.

    • Students may be interviewed during site visits.

  • Duration of Accreditation:

    • Accreditation may last for either 5 or 10 years.

Professional Organizations

  • Purpose:

    • Provide updated information and allow personal impact on the profession.

  • Levels of Societies:

    • State, regional, and national.

  • Examples of Organizations:

    • Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS): A national organization with members at all levels.

    • Benefits:

      • National meetings for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits.

    • Other organizations include:

    • Society of Vascular Ultrasound

    • American Society of Echocardiography

National Certification

  • Issuing Body:

    • American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers certification for several specialties:

    • Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

    • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer

    • Registered Vascular Technologist

  • Certification Process:

    • Candidates must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination, along with any specialty exams.

    • Testing may occur while still in school, but graduation from the program is required to receive credentials.

National Certification (cont.)

  • Additional Credentials for Specialists:

    • Cardiac and vascular specialists can seek credentials from Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

    • American Registry of Radiologic Technologists also oversees credentialing exams for sonographers.

  • State Requirements:

    • States may require state licensure in addition to national certification.

Maintaining Certification

  • Continuing Medical Education (CME):

    • Essential for maintaining certification.