Ultrasound/sonography is a growing field in a general sense, but there are some areas of specialization that have more demand than others at the moment. A good strategy for the beginning ultrasound technician is to focus on these career areas in their educational focus and job search approach. This is not to say that they won’t find work in other areas of the field – sonographers are in demand in a general sense. But the chances of finding the best jobs, especially for those starting out, are enhanced by perusing the ultrasound careers and specializations with comparatively high demand.
Neurosonography
In this specialty area, ultrasonic waves are used to image and diagnose the brain and nervous system. Often this area also touches on prenatal/neonatal vascular care because there can be risk of stroke in infants with blood conditions such as sickle cell trait. As you might imagine, this is on the high end of ultrasound skill sets, dealing as it does with fairly sophisticated imaging, and this may be one of the reasons it is in demand. So if you’re an ambitious student, this ultrasound career may be for you.
Breast Sonography
This specialty mainly has to do with breast cancer detection and prevention. By taking sophisticated ultrasound images of breast tissue and blood flow, tumors can be detected early with and treated or prevented. Usually the earlier potential problems like this are discovered, the more can be done to correct and cure them. So this field is in high demand and includes the possibility of saving lives, which is a big motivator.
Ophthamalic Sonography
Ultrasound is being used more and more to help eye doctors detect eye problems like detached retinas, tumors, cataracts, and so on. Its relatively non invasive quality makes it ideal for sensitive optical tissue as a diagnostic tool. In addition to this, ultrasound can be used therapeutically to perform such functions as phacoemulsification of cataracts so that an intraocular lense may be implanted. This is a growing use of sonography and an interesting ultrasound career choice.
Abdominal Sonography
The abdominal area has a number of vital organs that can be imaged ultrasonically such as the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. Abdominal physicians need the expertise of sonographers with highly focused skills in this area in order to detect, treat, and prevent problems having to do with these organs. This is a good field to focus on as well from a career perspective because it deals with quite a few anatomical and physiological subjects that affect the entire body, so if a specialist wants to branch out and expand his scope, he has a good background.
The more heavily used areas of sonography such as echocardiography, obstetrics, gynecology, and so on are fine if they interest you and you feel you can meet the qualifications to be reasonably competitive. They are in demand as well so there is no reason to discount them. But the above areas are a bit more cutting edge and so if they are ultrasound careers that spark your interest, you may be able to get in on the ground floor, relatively speaking. The entire field looks good employment wise, but these specialties may allow you quicker or easier access to the world of ultrasound.