How to Become A Sonographer In South Africa

A sonographer is a healthcare professional who specializes in the use of ultrasonic imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans, videos or three-dimensional volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data. The requirements for clinical practice vary greatly by country.

What does a sonographer do?

4 days ago

A diagnostic medical sonographer, also known simply as a sonographer, uses imaging equipment and sound waves to form images of many parts of the body, known as ultrasounds. They are trained to acquire and analyze these sonographic images.

Is a sonographer a doctor?

Answer: Sonographers are not medical doctors. In the S .A, medical doctors have to get a bachelor’s degree and then attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. The most common option to pursue a career in sonography is an associate’s degree program, which takes two years to complete.

How do I become a Sonologist?

To become a sonographer, you must be an allied health science graduate. it’s an added advantage for you. in South Africa, there is no college teaching sonography to nonmedical students or allied health students. even B.Sc or M.Sc Radiology creating only radiographer.

How to Become A Sonographer In South Africa

SONOGRAPHER SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

There are many traits important to becoming an effective sonographer. According to a May 2019 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these include:

Being detail-oriented: Sonographers must be able to complete very exact work to obtain the images they need.

Having good hand-eye coordination: Sonographers must be able to focus on what they see on the screen, but also be able to move the transducer around on the patient’s body at the same time.

Having physical stamina: Not only must sonographers be able to help lift and move around people, but sonographers are also often on their feet much of their workday.

Possessing interpersonal skills: Since sonographers work so closely with patients, sometimes in uncomfortable situations, they must be able to put them at ease, particularly to be able to obtain the precise kinds of images they need.

Understanding technical equipment: Most of the tools that medical sonographers use are technologically-based—and not just the physical pieces themselves, but also the software and programs that are recording the sound waves being transmitted.

WHAT KIND OF DEGREE DOES A SONOGRAPHER NEED?

There many educational pathways for becoming a sonographer. According to the BLS, both associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography are available career pathways. There are also some certificate-based programs, and some colleges and hospitals also offer one-year certificate programs, according to the BLS.

Advanced education might be useful to allied health professionals who are interested in entering administration, education, or research or even in becoming sales representatives or consultants. Interestingly, O*NET (2020) profiles three unique education pathways for sonographers:

47 percent of respondents working as sonographers reported having an associate degree

17 percent of sonographers reported having a bachelor’s education

19 percent of sonographers reported having a postsecondary certificate

Students are typically required to complete some type of clinical hours in their program, which gives them the opportunity to test out their newfound skills and knowledge in an actual healthcare setting, often under the supervision of an experienced professional.

Prospective students in the United States are advised to see out an accredited sonography program through the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and students in South Africa are advised to research accredited programs listed with the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

The SDMS also recommends that students look for a program that follows the minimum curricular standards set by the South African Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SARDMS), which is a non-for-profit founded in 1975 to ensure patient safety and quality service through its certification process.

Overall, regional and nationally-accredited schools also provide degrees that meet high standards of educational rigor and quality.

STEP-BY-STEP EDUCATION GUIDE TO BECOMING A SONOGRAPHER

As mentioned earlier, there are many different pathways to becoming a sonographer. Below is a the common educational pathways, including a breakdown of three options for popular first steps:

Step 1a: Earn a certificate (12 to 18 months).

One path to becoming a sonographer is by obtaining a certificate available at the postsecondary level through vocational tech schools or community colleges. For example, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) provides an 18-month certificate program. Clinical hours are included in these, which give students the opportunity to rotate through two different clinical sites.

Step 1b: Earn an associate degree (18 to 24 months).

Most associate degrees take at least two years to complete. Schools such as Bellevue College in Washington may present students with a number of areas for specialization.

For example, three specialty tracks are offered at the school: general; vascular technology; and echocardiography. A shorter certificate of completion is also available in breast ultrasound with this CAAHEP-accredited program. Students also fulfill clinical hours in these programs, of which four practicums are required. Summer coursework is also available.

Step 1c: Earn a bachelor’s degree (four years).

A bachelor’s degree may be right for those who are already working as a registered sonographer and want to advance their career, according to Oregon Tech Online. This regionally-accredited school offers a distance-learning program that is based on students transferring in existing credits toward their degree.

To be eligible, students must already be registered diagnostic sonographers through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). While other completion programs may also be available online, students can also find bachelor’s degree programs in sonography available on-campus.

For example, at Morehead State University in Kentucky, students can complete a CAAHEP-accredited bachelor’s degree in imaging sciences with a concentration in medical sonography. Clinical practice hours in this program can average 30 to 36 hours per week.

Step 2: Earn a post-bachelor’s certificate (optional, two years).

A number of post-baccalaureate certificates in medical sonography are available to students who already have a bachelor’s degree. For example, at Seattle University, a regionally-accredited school, students with a bachelor’s degree in a related science can complete a minimum of 44 credits including a clinical internship to earn a post-bachelor’s certificate in diagnostic ultrasound.

Step 3: Earn a master’s degree (optional, two years).

Students with the highest leadership or managerial ambitions can also pursue a master’s degree, such as the master’s of health science with an option for medical sonography offered at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This regionally-accredited program comprises a bachelor’s degree in medical sonography and a master’s degree in health science. The 37-credit program includes an internship, a research methods course, and a practicum.

SONOGRAPHER SPECIALIZATION

Education at or beyond the associate degree level can allow healthcare professionals to pursue niche areas of work in sonography. According to the SDMS, some of these areas of specialization include:

Abdomen (AB)

Breast (BR)

Cardiac (AE)

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Neurosonology (NE)

Obstetrics/ gynecology (OB)

Vascular technology (VT)

Some of the specialty exams offered through the ARDMS in certifying fields include fetal echocardiography (FE), pediatric sonography (PS), and pediatric echocardiography (PE).

Because a sonographer will see approximately 109,500 patients over the course of a 25-year career, according to the ARDMS, sonographers should take time to consider whether they prefer to work with specific patient populations, such as pediatrics, obstetrics, or another targeted patient population.

SONOGRAPHER STATE LICENSING & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

After students have completed a sonography program, they can prepare to work toward sonographer certification. There are two main organizations offering certification:

American Registration of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

The ARRT offers two pathways to its certification in sonography: 1) the primary pathway, which includes recently completing a sonography program, and 2) the post-primary pathway for those who are currently certified and registered with the ARRT and are seeking additional credentials.

The ARRT has 15 available credentials that cover a variety of medical disciplines such as mammography, bone densitometry, and vascular sonography. Certification is valid for one year and proof of continuing education is required for renewal.

By comparison, the ARDMS offers five different certification credentials, ranging from registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) to registered vascular technologist (RVT).

Different exams are required for each of the various credentials available through ARDMS. The ARDMS recertification program has been paused since January 2020, and while the exact details are currently unknown, the recertification program will not include retaking the initial credentialing examination.

As of 2020, the ARRT requires students to have completed at least an associate degree to be eligible for a certification exam. The ARDMS, which has certified nearly 90,000 professionals, features an interactive tool on its website to allow new applicants to determine their eligibility status.

How long does it take to become a sonographer in South Africa?

You can become certified by completing a 2- or 4-year program. You can earn a credential by passing the ARDMS sonography assessments.

What kind of education do you need to be a sonographer in South Africa ?

Becoming an ultrasound technician requires you to first complete high school and receive your diploma. Once complete, you’ll need to attend a formal education program at an accredited college or university to receive an Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

How much do sonographers earn in South Africa?

The average salary for a Sonographer in SA is R 458 610 gross per year (R 38 220 gross per month), which is 62% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer can expect an average starting salary of R 318 340. The highest salaries can exceed R 609 500

How long does it take to become a sonographer in South Africa ?

The Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is the most common method and takes approximately 24 months. A Bachelor of Science program will take approximately four years to complete.

Are sonographers in demand in South Africa?

There is a high demand for diagnostic medical sonographers and this demand is set to increase as a large segment of the population ages and the health care industry grows. Radiographers may also open their own practices in accordance with the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Is it difficult to become a sonographer in South Africa ?

The requirements for sonography school include passing difficult courses in anatomy and physiology, mathematics and physical sciences. They must also complete months of full-time clinical training, often under stressful conditions.

Do you need to be good at math to be a sonographer in South Africa ?

Sonography programs require prerequisite courses that include math and science. For example, you’ll need to take and pass college algebra as well as anatomy and physiology.

Is sonography harder than nursing in South Africa ?

Yet, to become a Registered Nurse, you’ll need to attend a two-year Associate program. Due to these requirements, a sonography program might be a bit more challenging than a CNA program.

Can you have tattoos and piercings as a sonographer?

Despite their popularity, tattoos are still not considered appropriate in a professional setting and especially in the healthcare setting. The ultrasound student will have to cover up the tattoos while at the clinical site.