Are there any professional organizations that provide information about sonography training?

The most recognized professional sonography organization that provides information about sonography training and sonography training programs is the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). The SDMS website is full of resources including information about sonography certificate programs, courses, online and traditional universities that offer degrees in sonography and the certification process.

SDMS also holds an annual conference, and if you attend you can earn credit toward their Continuing Medical Education program. SDMS even provides grants for those training in sonography who would like to attend the conference, as well as scholarships for students studying sonography.

In addition, there are many membership organizations for sonographers and those in training. Some of these include the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the American Society of Echocardiography and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. Finally, if you complete your training at a traditional university, you can consider joining their alumni association if one exists.

How can I network with professionals who have training in sonography?

If you are completing your training online, it may seem harder to network than in a classroom setting. However, even students enrolled in online programs are required to complete clinical hours, which are a good time to network with current students and sonography professionals. Sonography conferences, such as the annual conference held by SDMS, are also excellent places to network with sonography professionals.

In addition, the Internet is full of resources for connecting with professionals. A good place to start is the SDMS website, which posts information on sonography conferences and job fairs as well as different degree programs, which you can use to network with alumni of those programs. The career networking site LinkedIn has several sonography groups in which you can network with, including American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, World Wide Sonographers and The Ultrasound Portal.

What supplies or tools do I need for my training in sonography?

When training in sonography, you will need hands-on clinical or laboratory experience with various kinds of ultrasound machinery. Most training programs provide the necessary equipment, but if you are completing your training online you will have to find access to sonography equipment. Depending on the institution offering courses and training, you may have your clinical training arranged by the college or university, or you may have to arrange it yourself. In a field like sonography, hands-on training with the machines you will be using is a very important element of your overall training program.

Standard equipment includes various types of ultrasound machines, depending on the kind of sonography you are training in. Ultrasound machines in use today include 2-D ultrasound imaging, 3-D ultrasound imaging and Doppler ultrasound machines. They can range from portable units to very massive machinery. These are usually provided by the clinic, hospital or laboratory where you are training.

Can you recommend any books to read during my training in sonography?

While training in sonography, you can supplement your clinical experience or online course material with additional resources. There are a number of books written about sonography training and advances in the field.

Sonography Principles and Instruments by Frederick W. Kremkau, PhD is an essential book for deepening your knowledge of the technical aspects of ultrasound technology, including the physics behind how ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound machines work. Students training in sonography who want to understand the mechanics of the tools they are learning to use will find this book an essential read.

Sonography in Obstetrics & Gynecology: Principles and Practice by Arthur C. Fleischer et al. is particularly helpful if you are training in the field of sonography for gynecology, or even if you’re specializing in a different field but are interested in expanding your qualifications (and increasing your chances of being hired).

Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography by Sandra L. Hagen-Ansert is an updated excellent aid if you want to update your sonography training with the latest developments in the field.