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Home » Related Occupations » Sonographer vs. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Sonographer vs. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

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A sonographer is also referred to as an Ultrasound Technician or a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. At one time, sonographers only created ultrasound images but were not involved in assessing images or making recommendations based on imaging results. The profession has expanded, meaning the sonographer manages a higher level of duties while using imaging equipment producing high-frequency sound waves to assess certain patient conditions. A Nuclear Medicine Technologist is an entirely different career field in which radioisotope equipment and solutions are administered during diagnostic procedures to identify medical issues.

Table of Content

  • How to Become a Sonographer?
  • How to Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
  • Daily Duties of Sonographers
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologists Duties
  • Comparing Their Salaries
  • Pros and Cons of Two Healthcare Careers

How to Become a Sonographer?

To become a sonographer today means completing a program to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. There are several paths to achieving this goal. Those who have already worked in a healthcare field can consider a certificate program which takes approximately a year to complete and focuses specifically on sonography training. For those who do not have healthcare experience, there are a couple of options. Some CAAHEP schools offer a 2-year Associate degree program. There are also programs leading to a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students should choose a CAAHEP school and upon graduation pursue ARDMS certification to have the greatest opportunities for employment.

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How to Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

Nuclear Medicine Technologists also have the option of earning a certificate with health industry related experience or completing requirements for an Associate’s degree as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist or a Bachelor’s Degree as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Unlike sonographers, there are licensing requirements for technologists working in nuclear medicine in some states. Obtaining certification from a recognized organization may serve as enough credential for licensing. Like Diagnostic Medical Sonography, it is possible to earn certification in specialties like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or PET (positron emission tomography), to name just a couple.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology graduate should obtain ARRT certification. Beginning January 1, 2015, ARRT will require certification candidates to have earned at least an Associate’s degree from a recognized ARRT agency or school.


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StateCitySchoolZipContact NamePhone
AlabamaBirminghamUniversity of Alabama35294-0001Norman Bolus(323)563-5808
ArkansasLittle RockBaptist Health College72210-2827Stephen Daniel Guffey(510)231-5060
ArkansasLittle RockUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences72205-7101Arthur G Maune(909)558-7549
ArizonaPhoenixGateway Community College85034-1704Jean Marie Dial(805)378-1433
CaliforniaLos AngelesCharles Drew University of Medicine & Science90059-0000(650)858-3945
CaliforniaRichmondKaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences94804-3739Lori Selbrede(203)285-2381
CaliforniaLoma LindaLoma Linda University92350-0000Raynold J Ho(302)428-4566
CaliforniaMoorparkMoorpark College93021-1605Robert Darwin(407)303-9380
CaliforniaPalo AltoVA Palo Alto Health Care System94304-1207Kent Hutchings(954)201-2083
ConnecticutNew HavenGateway Community College6510Ann-Marie Alcala(850)913-3318
DelawareWilmingtonDelaware Technical & Community College19802-2541S Crystal Snow(813)253-7418
FloridaOrlandoAdventist University of Health Sciences32803-1226Joseph Hawkins(863)682-6020
FloridaCoconut CreekBroward College33066-0000Belinda L Mouradian(321)409-4800
FloridaPanama CityGulf Coast State College32401Dee A Vanderschaaf(954)871-7185
FloridaTampaHillsborough Community College33614-7810Sara Johnson(305)237-4053
FloridaLakelandKeiser University33805-2316Jasmin E Miller(352)395-5673
FloridaMelbourneKeiser University32901-1853Mariann M Crowell(912)344-2753
FloridaMiamiKeiser University Kendall Campus33172-1864Robert P Cleary(706)721-4181
FloridaMiamiMiami Dade College33127-4622Agdanamai Luis(478)988-6800
FloridaGainesvilleSanta Fe College32606-6210Sara D Smith(319)226-2081
GeorgiaSavannahArmstrong State University31419-1909Rochelle Bornett Lee(515)643-6679
GeorgiaAugustaAugusta University30912-0600Gregory G Passmore(319)356-2954
GeorgiaWarner RobinsCentral Georgia Technical College31088-0000Patricia I Melnick(309)341-5311
IowaWaterlooAllen College50703-1916Jared D Seliger(630)942-3065
IowaDes MoinesMercy College of Health Sciences50309-1225Robert Loch(312)926-4461
IowaIowa CityUniversity of Iowa Hospital and Clinics52242-0000Anthony W Knight(708)456-0300
IllinoisGalesburgCarl Sandburg College61401-9574Janis Hipple(317)274-7431
IllinoisGlen EllynCollege of DuPage60137-6599Amy YarshenUnknown
IllinoisChicagoNorthwestern Memorial Hospital60611-3418Lisa M Riehle(913)588-6858
IllinoisRiver GroveTriton College60171-1907Susan Campos(859)246-6241
IndianaIndianapolisIndiana University School of Medicine46202-5111Cybil Nielsen(504)671-6232
IndianaSouth BendRadiological Technologies University VT46601Mellonie F Brown(617)732-2928
KansasKansas CityUniversity of Kansas Medical Center66160-8500Tina R Crain(781)768-7313
KentuckyLexingtonBluegrass Community & Technical College40506-0235Charles H Coulston(978)354-4115
LouisianaNew OrleansDelgado Community College70119-4399Steve D Trichell(413)755-4871
MassachusettsBostonMCPHS University02115-5804Frances K Keech(774)443-2649
MassachusettsWestonRegis College02493-1545Carl D Gilmore Jr(301)624-2845
MassachusettsSalemSalem State University01970-2714Melinda Walker(301)341-3026
MassachusettsSpringfieldSpringfield Technical Community College01102-9000Richard T Serino(410)528-8299
MassachusettsWorcesterUMass Memorial Health Care01655-0002Leo A Nalivaika(207)795-5956
MarylandFrederickFrederick Community College21702-2964Michele Tertel(248)898-4125
MarylandLargoPrince George's Community College20774-2109Nancy P Meman(616)643-5751
MarylandBaltimoreThe Johns Hopkins Hospital21202-4072Mary Mc Cormick(586)286-2191
MaineLewistonMaine College of Health Professions04240-7033Heather D Poulin(507)284-3245
MichiganRoyal OakBeaumont Health System48073-6712Teresa R Taggart(507)457-1770
MichiganBig RapidsFerris State University49307-2740Timothy Vanderlaan(816)276-9570
MichiganWarrenMacomb Community College48088-3870Sharon M Lafferty(314)577-8526
MinnesotaRochesterMayo School of Health Sciences55905-0001Nicole Fischer(573)882-7857
MinnesotaWinonaSt Mary's University of Minnesota55987-0000Jeanne Minnerath(662)207-0293
MissouriKansas CityResearch Medical Center School64132-1136Jennifer A Miles(601)984-6355
MissouriSaint LouisSaint Louis University63104-0000William L Hubble(828)726-2370
MissouriColumbiaUniversity of Missouri65211-4230Jeff Galen(336)757-3345
MississippiMoorheadMississippi Delta Community College38761John W Stowers IV(919)209-2185
MississippiJacksonUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center39216-4500Sherry J West(252)493-7475
North CarolinaHudsonCaldwell Community College and Technical Institute28638-2672Jimmy L Council(984)974-8800
North CarolinaWinston SalemForsyth Technical Community College27103-5150Tamara M Beck(402)559-7224
North CarolinaSmithfieldJohnston/Fayetteville Community College27577Ryan Stimpson(856)415-2196
North CarolinaGreenvillePitt Community College27835-7007Scott J Clinefelter(770)846-9980
North CarolinaChapel HillUniversity North Carolina Hospitals27514-4220Brian G Mc Lamb(505)272-5254
NebraskaOmahaUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center68198-4545Marcia Hess Smith(702)895-0976
New JerseySewellRowan College-Gloucester County08080-4222Laura J Mac Aulay(718)289-5930
New JerseyScotch PlainesRutgers-The State University of New Jersey07076-0000Isabel T Breen(718)862-7807
New MexicoAlbuquerqueUniversity of New Mexico87131-0001Lynnette M Trujillo(516)323-3389
NevadaLas VegasUniversity of Nevada89154-9900Arthur M Meyers(845)341-4277
New YorkBronxCUNY Bronx Community College10453-2804Alfred J Romito(716)475-5117
New YorkBronxManhattan College10471-4004Madeline R Plasencia(631)638-0003
New YorkRockville CentreMolloy College11571-5002Marc B Fischer(716)838-5889
New YorkMiddletownOrange County Community College10940-6404Robert M Misiak(330)363-2335
New YorkRochesterRochester Institute of Technology14623-0000Kristen Waterstram-Rich(614)287-3446
New YorkStony BrookSUNY11794-8200William K Stanley(216)987-5298
New YorkBuffaloSUNY14214-3007Egon 'Gene' Fast(419)434-6102
OhioCantonAultman College of Health Sciences44710-0000Cheryl L Beitzel(513)558-2018
OhioColumbusColumbus State Community College43215-1722Rodger A Stinson(614)293-3131
OhioParmaCuyahoga Community College44130-5114Teresa R Taggart(405)271-6477
OhioFindlayThe University of Findlay45840-3653Ryan J Smith(541)851-5305
OhioCincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati45267-0394Alan W Vespie(610)606-4666
OhioColumbusWexner Medical Center - Ohio State University43210-0000Stacey R Copley(412)237-2751
OklahomaOklahoma CityUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center73117Vesper Grantham(717)947-6165
OregonKlamath FallsOregon Institute of Technology97601-8801Rick Hoylman(412)397-5410
Pennsylvania AllentownCedar Crest College18104-6132Brian S Misanko(215)503-6678
Pennsylvania PittsburghCommunity College of Allegheny County15212-0000Carl Mazzetti(401)606-8531
Pennsylvania LancasterPennsylvania College of Health Sciences17601-5871Paula Mancini(843)839-1149
Pennsylvania Moon TownshipRobert Morris University15108-2574Angela R Macci(803)822-3483
Pennsylvania PhiladelphiaThomas Jefferson University19107-5211Christina A Truluck(605)367-7625
Rhode IslandProvidenceRhode Island Hospital2905Lisa J Tetreault(901)572-2648
South CarolinaMyrtle BeachHorry Georgetown Technical College29577-5044Douglas W Gleasman(423)697-3331
South CarolinaColumbiaMidlands Technical College29202-2408Mauren R Kreiner(865)251-1887
South DakotaSioux FallsSoutheast Technical Institute57107-1301Doug Warner(615)322-0508
TennesseeMemphisBaptist College of Health Sciences38104-3110Donna Mars(806)354-6071
TennesseeChattanoogaChattanooga State Community College37406-0000Leesa A Ross(361)698-2830
TennesseeKnoxvilleSouth College37909-3323Lisa M Satterfield(409)944-1491
TennesseeNashvilleVanderbilt University Medical Center37232-2675James A Patton(713)718-7354
TexasAmarilloAmarillo College79178-0001Tamra L Rocsko(210)808-1873
TexasCorpus ChristiDel Mar College78404-3805Tonya Pigulski(210)829-3991
TexasGalvestonGalveston College77550-7447Rebecca L Montz(801)587-4716
TexasHoustonHouston Community College77030-3717Glenn X Smith(801)626-7156
TexasFort Sam HoustonMedical Education & Training Campus78234-2532Tomio L Calhoun(757)683-3589
TexasSan AntonioUniversity of Incarnate Word78209-0000Norma Linda Green Gutierrez(804)828-3264
UtahSalt Lake CityUniversity of Utah Health Care84132-0002Delynn S Strate(802)656-3265
UtahOgdenWeber State University84408-3925Robert J Walker(425)564-2475
VirginiaNorfolkOld Dominion University23529-0001Scott R Sechrist(414)649-6418
VirginiaRichmondVirginia Commonwealth University23284-0000Mark H Crosthwaite(414)805-0057
VermontBurlingtonUniversity of Vermont05405-0001Kenneth Allen(715)389-3905
WashingtonBellevueBellevue College98007-6406Jennifer Prekeges(920)922-8611
WisconsinMilwaukeeAurora St Luke's Medical Center53215-4330Kerry Michell(304)205-6681
WisconsinMilwaukeeFroedtert Hospital53226-3522Ann M Voslar(304)598-4260
WisconsinMarshfieldMinistry St Joseph's Hospital54449-1832Carlyn M Johnson(304)243-2264
WisconsinFond du LacMoraine Park Technical College54936-0000Mary E Klug(920)922-8611
West VirginiaSouth CharlestonBridgeValley Community & Technical College25303-2735Alicia Tucker(304)205-6681
West VirginiaMorgantownWest Virginia University Hospitals26506-0000Tiffany D Davis(304)598-4260
West VirginiaWheelingWheeling Jesuit University26003-6243Deborah Wilkinson(304)243-2264

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Daily Duties of Sonographers

Sonographers use ultrasound equipment that produces high frequency sound waves. The sonographer runs transducers over the appropriate part of the patient’s body, and the sound waves create images on a computerized screen. The sonographer takes images of soft tissue, organs, and arterial or vascular systems. The specific job duties depend on the type of training the sonographer completed. The specialties include cardio, vascular, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Sonographers typically manage the following job duties:

  • Work with patients in several ways, including scheduling, explaining procedures, taking patient history, and positioning the body during the procedure
  • Overseeing sonographic lab operations
  • Operate ultrasound equipment to take and record images ordered by physicians, including adjusting settings
  • Check equipment operations and report maintenance and repair issues
  • Review images and make decisions about additional images needed to pinpoint possible pathological areas
  • Record and document images using available archival and record keeping systems
  • Maintain patient electronic health records, making sure they include imaging results, professional interpretations, correspondence, and other medical records
  • Consult with other medical personnel

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Nuclear Medicine Technologists Diagnose and Treat

Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients, mostly for diagnostic and treatment purposes. The isotopes or radioactive materials serve as tracers in the body which radioisotope equipment can detect. Procedures have a similar goal as ultrasound technology sound waves in that the isotopes are used to map tissues or systems in the body to identify potential medical issues. However, the technologist using radiopharmaceuticals may also inject appropriate solutions into patients for the purpose of treating diseases. The technologist will:

  • Explain procedures to patient, providing reassurances about safety of using radioisotopes
  • Administer radiation or radiopharmaceuticals intravenously to patients
  • Produce camera or computer images by using specialized equipment able to detect and map radiation
  • Prepare radiation dosages per physician instructions for administration or prepare stock dosages for future use
  • Maintain equipment
  • Manage storage and disposal of radioactive materials, following medical facility and legal requirements

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Comparing the Sonographer and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salaries

Sonographer salaries vary widely from location to location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in 2016 was $71,750. A sonographer just entering the profession would usually be hired at the lower tenth percentile wage of $48,660. That is an excellent beginning wage that can rapidly rise with experience.

For Nuclear Medicine Technologists the average annual salary in 2016 was higher at $75,960. This was to be expected since they work with radioactive materials and are thus dealing with higher job risks. The lower tenth percentile annual wage in nuclear medicine technology was $53,440.

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Choosing the Right Career to Fit Interests

It is important to research the educational and work requirements for careers in sonography or nuclear medicine fields before making a decision. Following is a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each profession.

Pros and Cons as a Sonographer

The advantages of being a Sonographer include:

  • Works directly with patients
  • Working in expanding industry which means increasing job opportunities
  • Offers rewarding job duties that include uplifting events like producing fetal sonograms of healthy babies
  • High expected job growth due to aging population and expanding health care industry
  • Opportunities to specialize (obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal, neurology, breast), making it possible to direct career path

The disadvantages of being a Sonographer are:

  • Physically demanding because person must work while standing up, must move around a lot, and must help patients adjust their bodies during imaging procedures
  • Requires a lot of administrative work because of the independent nature of the job
  • Lower wages than for a technologist working in the nuclear medicine field
  • Often requires long hours

Pros and Cons as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The advantages of being a Nuclear Medicine Technologist are as follows:

  • Advancing technology creates exciting professional setting
  • Performs both diagnostic and treatment procedures
  • Varied work and procedures

The disadvantages of being a Nuclear Medicine Technologist include:

  • Must learn how to use a variety of sensitive equipment like the medical radiation dosimeters and radiation detectors, in addition to tomography equipment and medical gamma cameras
  • Exposure to radioactive materials during procedures
  • Mastering highly detailed job requiring in-depth scientific and mathematical knowledge
    Dealing with regular stress
  • Must work under close supervision of a physician

One of the main advantages of choosing sonography as a career is that professionals do not have to work with radiologic chemicals or procedures. That has swayed some people away from choosing a career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and towards choosing the sonography field. It is important to decide what job characteristics are most important to the individual when selecting a career. The healthcare industry is filled with opportunities. It is truly a matter of selecting a career that best fits interests, lifestyle, and personal goals.

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