Is there a shortage of sonographers?
Demand is one feature that drives all kinds of economic activities.
This isn’t limited to the fields of production or business but also to various professions. Such demand reveals the particular value an activity has. In this article, our focus is mainly on sonography.
Sonographers are trained professionals who perform various medical diagnostic services using ultrasound techniques.
Will sonographers be replaced in the future?
If you’re curious about learning about this healthcare industry sector, you’ll find all the information you need here.
Ultrasound Technician Job Outlook
Sonographers are identified by several names, including ultrasound technicians, ultrasonographers, ultrasound technologists, and diagnostic medical sonographers.
Within this sector, there are various sonography specializations in which one can major in.
Examples include cardiac sonographers, pediatric, obstetrics & gynecology, neurological, and vascular sonography. There are also several types of sonographers.
These include diagnostic cardiovascular sonographers and diagnostic medical sonographers.
Other types include obstetrics sonographers, abdominal sonographers, breast sonographers, musculoskeletal sonographers, and neurosonology sonographers. Each specializes in a specific area of sonography.
You’ll need to know your area of interest before deciding how to proceed.
Are Sonographers in Demand?
Is sonography a dying career? No.
According to several reliable sources, sonographers are in high demand.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected sonographer demand to grow 26% from 2014 to 2024. Such an increase in demand indicates that sonographers are needed.
Many reasons can be given for why sonographers are in demand. An aging baby-boomer population has been identified as one reason for a rise in demand. How?
Post-war II babies created a massive demand for products ranging from bikes, toys, and cars.
Now, wheelchairs and walkers are in high demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, all age-related medical conditions related to specific products need to be diagnosed.
Examples of these conditions include heart disease and blood clots.
Now, sonographers are in the best position to carry out these diagnoses. Based on these realities, it’s no secret why sonographers are in high demand.
There are several other reasons for the growing demand for sonographers. Let’s discuss them briefly.
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Other Reasons why Sonographers are in High Demand
A growing number of patients seeking all kinds of health services, coupled with the noninvasive nature of sonography imaging, leads to a natural demand for sonography technicians.
What more? Complete access to insurance has made it possible to conduct increased diagnostic testing.
Also, increased revenue generation realized by hospitals via improved outcomes has led to further investment in equipment (including ultrasound) and hiring of trained technicians.
The increasing demand for a skilled workforce helps these hospitals address growing patient needs.
The many benefits of ultrasound, such as the non-invasive diagnosis of diseases without radiologic side effects, make this area attractive for many.
Significant improvement in image quality has also made the technology much more practical and widely applicable.
With such improvements in ultrasound imaging, physicians can identify all kinds of things, such as volume imaging, tissue and fluid identification, three- and four-dimensional imaging, etc.
With growing applicability, it’s only logical that sonographers will be in demand.
Why Sonography is a Great Career
Pursuing a degree in a field with high or growing demand is an incentive for many.
However, that is only one of several reasons anyone should become a sonographer. Sonography is an excellent career because earning a degree or becoming one is relatively easy.
Other reasons include its multiple areas of specialization, reasonable compensation, and the opportunity to work with other medical professionals while attending to patient needs.
The job outlook is also a great plus; sonographers can work in various places.
If you’re drawn to professions that allow flexible scheduling, sonography will be a good fit. Sonographers also enjoy benefits, multiple career paths, and the opportunity to further their education.
What more? As a sonographer, you get to use state-of-the-art technology while helping others.
i. Becoming a Sonographer is Relatively Fast
Unlike some professions, which require significantly longer periods of study, becoming a sonographer will not take that long.
On average, it takes about two years to complete. There are multiple paths to achieving your objective. You won’t have to stack massive student loan debts with a shorter study timeframe.
ii. Multiple Areas of Specialization
What type of sonography is in the highest demand?
We mentioned earlier that sonographers could choose what specialization paths they want to follow.
The most common include obstetrics & gynecology, pediatric, neurological, cardiac, and vascular sonography.
iii. Good Compensation
Compensation is one of several benefits of being a sonographer. The average base salary of sonographers is around $37,590 per year.
Such salaries can be significantly higher for sonographers with specialties, as the average yearly pay can be around $97,709.
iv. Opportunity to Work with Other Medical Professionals
This position suits you if you find joy in immersing yourself in your work environment while relating to other medical professionals, such as doctors and nurses.
You also get the satisfaction of interacting with patients while diagnosing them.
v. Great Job Outlook
As discussed earlier, the job outlook for sonographers is excellent as the trend in demand has risen steadily over the years. This is coupled with the growth projections made by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
vi. Ability to Work in Different Places
As a sonographer, you get to work in various settings.
These include diagnostic labs, private medical offices, hospitals, and clinics. Thus, you are adaptable to working in large cities or small towns.
vii. Flexible Scheduling
Sonographers enjoy flexibility with their schedule.
You’re likely to work 40-hour weeks with options for overtime. In other situations, you enjoy more flexibility with your work schedule, thus giving you an excellent work-life balance.
viii. Good Benefits
Sonography is among a list of professions that offer great benefits. Areas covered include retirement plans, medical/dental benefits, holidays, life insurance, and paid vacation.
In our discussion, we’ve seen that sonographers are in demand, and projections from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics support this growing trend.