Veterinary sonography and medical sonography aren’t all that different. The same technology is used for imaging to locate and identify irregularities inside the body of patients. Both require certifications before a person can legally practice as an ultrasound technician in either field. While they are similar, there are some differences. Besides the obvious, that medical sonography only focuses on a singular species, humans, and a veterinary ultrasound tech will deal with multiple species, there are differences that could influence your decision if you are choosing between the two types of ultrasound professions.
Education:
Both Medical and Veterinary sonographers will require an education in sonography, both in general terms and specific to each field. Programs can vary between institutions based on course offerings and availability. In either field you do not need to be a medical doctor or a veterinarian, but you will need certifications from governing organizations such as American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR).
Types of Sonography used:
In the medical field, there are many specialized areas of diagnostic imaging, such as echocardiography or musculoskeletal. In the field of veterinary ultrasonic imaging, the application of the skill is usually more general. Vets and sonography techs will not usually specialize in one part of the anatomy. Vets usually have to be able to treat animals on a more general level as veterinary specialists are rarer than medical specialists. It is important to have a good understanding of sonography and how it can apply to different areas of the anatomy if you’re considering the veterinary route.
Salary:
The salary range for a medical sonographer is usually higher than that of a veterinary sonographer. According to PayScale.com, the salary range for a medical sonographer is between approximately $43,000 – 86,000. While ultrasoundtechnician.org reports veterinary sonographers can expect to earn between $20,000 – 72,000. Salaries in the veterinary field vary greatly from state to state.
Veterinary sonography and medical sonography are both professions that are on the rise and are projected to grow in the coming years.
We hope this information has given you something to think about when choosing your career path in sonography.
This entry was posted in SPI Exam. Bookmark the permalink. ← Ultrasound Careers Work Environments for Medical Sonographers →Comments are closed.
