Ultrasound Assistant: Job Outlook and Career Information for Becoming an Ultrasound Assistant

Ultrasound Assistants, also referred to as Ultrasound Technician Assistants, help ultrasound technicians with supply and equipment inventory, exam room preparation and clean up, patient care and paperwork. Additionally, while individual hospitals may have particular educational preferences, all require that Ultrasound Assistants have high school diplomas or GEDs. Read on to find out how a career assisting ultrasound technicians may be for you.

Career Definition: Ultrasound Assistant

Ultrasound Assistants, also known as ultrasound technician assistants, support ultrasound technicians. They can also take on other tasks, such as greeting patients, answering telephones and handling paperwork. They transport patients to exam rooms, monitor their behavior and report any unusual findings to the technician. Additionally, Ultrasound Assistants prepare ultrasound exam rooms by ensuring the area is clean and properly stocked with required instruments and supplies. Ultrasound Assistants must maintain patient confidentiality during routine handling of patient reports, records and files.

How to Become an Ultrasound Assistant

Required Education for a Career in Ultrasound Assisting

Ultrasound Assistants must have a high school diploma or GED. Specific requirements beyond that vary by employer. Some hospitals may prefer an Ultrasound Assistant with medical assistant or medical receptionist training, for which technical certificates or associate's degrees are available. Common coursework includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Additionally, experience in a hospital setting is often desirable; both programs typically require internships or externships in a hospital, clinic or medical facility.

Skills Required for a Career in Ultrasound Assisting

Ultrasound Assistants should have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to interact with all levels of hospital staff. They must also be detail-oriented. Additionally, because they deal with many different types of patients, Ultrasound Assistants should have a sense of compassion and be able to maintain patient confidentiality.

Career and Economic Outlook for Ultrasound Assisting

Salaries and employment opportunities for Ultrasound Assistants vary by location, experience and company; however, Simplyhired.com noted that the current average annual salary for an Ultrasound Technician Assistant is $41,000. What's more, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that jobs in the medical assisting field are expected to grow 35% through 2016, which is atypically fast (www.bls.gov).