How To Become A Traveling Sonographer

Being a sonographer can lead you to either be a permanent or traveling sonographer. It depends on your choice and what you hope to gain. However, each role has its perks and unfavorable parts.

However, we will examine how to become a traveling sonographer – the education requirements, certifications, skills, and typical duties.

In addition, we explore how much money a traveling sonographer makes and highlight the contrast between being a permanent sonographer and a traveling sonographer. 

You have much to gain from the post, especially if you are interested in becoming a traveling sonographer. 

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Who is A Traveling Sonographer 

To clarify who a traveling sonographer is, let me first explain who a sonographer is. In healthcare, sonographers are called allied medical professionals because they contribute to medical services in the administrative, technical, and diagnostic departments.

A sonographer is in charge of using ultrasound equipment to create diagnostic scans and images of the internal organs in the body. 

As the definition of a sonographer is made clear, the question is: Who is a traveling sonographer? A traveling sonographer is a sonographer, but they are entitled to work at different hospitals or healthcare centers.

They lend a helping hand to understaffed medical facilities. The absence or absence of the attending sonographers may be a staff shortage. Sonographers that frequently travel for their jobs frequently migrate from one state to another. Hence, the name travel sonographers. 

Difference Between A Permanent Sonographer and A Traveling Sonographer 

The difference between a permanent and a traveling sonographer is not far-fetched. Let me first define a sonographer to understand better what a traveling sonographer is.

Sonographers are referred to as allied medical professionals in the healthcare industry since they support administrative, technical, and diagnostic medical services. The task of using ultrasound technology to provide diagnostic scans and photographs of the body’s internal organs falls to the sonographer.

Duties of a Traveling Sonographer

The duties of a traveling sonographer are no different from a permanent sonographer. Traveling sonographers typically perform the following duties.

Diagnostic and Clinical Assessments 

Traveling sonographers conduct clinical assessments and diagnostic examinations using ultrasound. They create sonograms from the examination and explain the content to the best knowledge of the patients. In addition, they prepare the patients for the examination by ensuring that they are in the proper condition to take the test. 

Furthermore, they communicate their findings to the physicians detailing the findings on the normal and abnormal pathological observations. Also, they offer recommendations if the situation requires them. 

Medical Records 

A traveling sonographer must document the observations and recommendations from each session with a patient. Completing the medical exam billing forms and worksheets is also part of the duties. Furthermore, they ensure the doctors/physicians in charge get the necessary medical records to work with.

Patient’s Care

The comfort and safety of the patients are one of the major things to look out for as a traveling sonographer when carrying out sonography examinations. 

Maintenance of Ultrasound equipment 

The maintenance of the ultrasound equipment in the diagnostic laboratory is part of the job description. After use, they clean and store the equipment properly.

Collaboration 

Collaboration with physicians, radiologists, midwives, obstetricians, nurses, and other medical staff is also one of the typical duties of traveling sonographers. 

Training 

Assisting in offering knowledge to interns on how to conduct sonography and other examination procedures. 

How to become a traveling sonographer 

First, you need to acquire the proper education from a sonography school. Afterward, you need at least one year of post-graduate experience and a registry through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, ARDMS, or any institution accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) 

Furthermore, you need to obtain the necessary licenses to practice. However, some states do not require a license to practice.

How to get jobs as a traveling sonographer 

There are two ways you can get a job as a traveling sonographer. First, you can get jobs through agencies. Some dedicated companies partner with hospitals and medical facilities in recruiting traveling sonographers; you can tender your resume and CV with such a company.

The company then helps you secure a job and oversee the contracts. Secondly, you can seek jobs independently by using the available websites focused on jobs for traveling sonographers.

You can use websites such as Indeed.com, simplyhired, medtravelers. Peruse and apply for the job of your choice, and if lucky, you get the job. 

In the medical field, finding a job as a traveling employee is very competitive, so make sure you prepare for the struggles.

Skills needed by a traveling sonographer 

As a traveling sonographer, it is important to have the following skills.

Organization Skills 

It is essential to be able to organize your timetable and schedules as a traveling sonographer. 

Time Management 

Having exceptional time management skills is handy if you want to become a traveling sonographer. 

Adaptation and Flexibility

Traveling sonographers must be readily able to adapt to different work environments. Also, they must be able to choose a wide range of options when choosing locations. 

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Communication Skills 

The ability to communicate, whether verbally or written, is essential. 

Other skills include:

• Adaptability to fast-paced environments 
• Working knowledge of a wide range of sonograph equipment 
• Ability to interpret sonographs, relaying the information to the patient and family in an understandable manner. 
• Ability to learn fast and work independently
• Attention to detail. 

Is being a traveling sonographer easy?

Being a traveling sonographer is not generally easy. In the case of married people, there may be times when they travel frequently and stay away from their families, and there may also be times when job opportunities are scarce.

Regardless of these things, it is one exciting and lucrative career. Some perks attached to the job make it a good career to pursue. Some of the perks include the benefits included in your compensation package, such as  

Free Accommodation or accommodation allowance 

• 401(k) Savings 
• Medical and Dental Insurance 
• Short-term disability coverage 
• Life and accident insurance 
• Free Continuing Education
• Feeding Allowance 
• Car Allowance/Gas Allowance
• Chance to travel with Family members or pets 

Furthermore, as a traveling sonographer, you enjoy a work-life balance from working the jobs and enjoy high pay per hour compared to working full-time in the healthcare center. 

How much does a traveling sonographer make?

Traveling sonographers are usually paid hourly or weekly, depending on their contract. The salary price is not fixed since several factors play a role in determining how much is paid. A few of the factors are: 

The size of the medical facility 

Advanced and popular medical facilities or laboratories tend to pay more. 

Experience 

How much experience you have gathered in the field will determine what your payment will look like. The higher experience gets more pay. 

Qualifications and Specializations 

Another factor to consider is the standards of the qualifications and the certifications. If you are exceptional in this area, there is a high chance of getting high pay.

Also, a certain area of specialization attracts higher pay compared to other specializations in the field. Sonographers in the fields of neurology, pediatric cardiac, and cardiac sonography earn the highest salaries. 

However, the salary rate of a traveling sonographer falls between $2000 to $2800 per week, following the reports from Medtraveler.com.

Final Thoughts: How To Become A Traveling Sonographer

You might consider becoming a traveling sonographer if you plan to become a sonographer. You will enjoy your career as a traveling sonographer if you check all the boxes. However, there are ups and downs in the area, but it is lucrative and exciting at the same time. 

You will find the most helpful to get the necessary information on how to become a traveling sonographer and what it entails in the post.

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