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Guide to Continued Medical Education for Sonographers

In diagnostic medical sonography, learning is a lifelong journey. It doesn’t stop after earning your degree or certification. Advancements in technology, evolving healthcare standards, and new research make ongoing education essential for thriving in this dynamic profession. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is more than a requirement—it’s a commitment to professional growth, excellence in patient care, and staying ahead in your field. Whether you’re deepening your knowledge, gaining new certifications, or mastering advanced techniques, CME helps ensure that your skills evolve as healthcare evolves.

What is CME?

Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses provide structured opportunities for sonographers and ultrasound technicians to enhance their expertise throughout their careers. CME supports success in your current role while preparing you for career advancement by building specialized competencies. It’s an essential tool for staying competitive in this ever-changing industry, allowing you to explore new areas of expertise, pursue leadership roles, or focus on advanced techniques that make a difference in patient outcomes.

Related

The Lifelong Learning Advantage

In the field of medical imaging, lifelong learning is not just beneficial—it’s vital. The most successful sonographers understand that education is an ongoing process. By committing to continuous learning, you open the door to personal and professional growth, improved job performance, and a deeper understanding of the latest diagnostic techniques. CME embodies this philosophy by encouraging healthcare professionals to stay informed, curious, and adaptable at every stage of their careers.

Types of CME Opportunities

CME courses are designed to fit into the lives of busy professionals, offering flexibility and variety. You can find programs online, in person, or through correspondence. Some courses are free, while others charge tuition, often with discounts for members of professional organizations. Courses may cover general professional skills, specialty imaging techniques, or even career development topics.

Exploring Medical Imaging CME Topics

CME courses cover a wide range of subjects, from broad professional development to specialized imaging techniques. Examples include:

  • Professional Skills: Career development topics like “Career Pathways” and “Interviewing Skills,” offered by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).
  • Advanced Imaging Techniques: For those looking to specialize, specialty-focused courses such as “Doppler Sonography” and “Renal Pathology.”
  • Certification Prep: Focused courses to help you meet the requirements of certifying organizations like the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography).

Why Pursue Continuing Education Credit?

CME is about more than just maintaining credentials—it’s about achieving excellence and advancing your career through lifelong learning. Earning additional certifications through organizations like the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) can enhance your qualifications, making you a strong candidate for promotions or specialized roles.

CME also strengthens your ability to provide outstanding patient care by keeping you up to date with the latest tools and techniques. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, diving into a new specialty, or refining your existing skills, CME is an investment in yourself and the future of healthcare.

“[CME courses are a] mechanism… to fulfill their responsibility to maintain competence and prevent professional obsolescence. Participation in CE demonstrates accountability to peers, physicians, healthcare facilities, and the public” (The ARRT).

Maintaining Certification

CME courses and their corresponding credits are required to maintain certification. The ARDMS, for example, requires that RDMS certified sonographers must complete 30 ARDMS accepted CME credits within a 3-year period. Audits are completed each year with a randomly selected group of sonographers in order to ensure compliance.

Whether it be the ARDMS, the SDMS, or one of the other sonography organizations, free CME trackers should be available on their website to help you stay on schedule as you continue your education and maintain your certificate.

CME Requirements

Here is a basic guide to the continuing medical education course requirements for maintaining credentials with some of the relevant certification bodies:

Certification Body Examples of Credentials Offered CME Requirements
ARDMS
  • RDMS
  • RDCS
  • RVT
In order to maintain credentials with the ARDMS, you generally need to complete 30 CME credits within a three-year period.
ARRT (The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) Certifications in:

  • Sonography
  • Radiography
  • MRI
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • Various post-primary credentials
Generally, to maintain certification with the ARRT, you need to complete 24 CME credits every two years.
CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International)
  • RCS (Registered Cardiac Sonographer)
  • RVS (Registered Vascular Specialist)
  • RCCS (Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer)
  • CCT (Certified Cardiographic Technician)
Typically, those with “Registered” level credentials must complete 36 CME credits and those with “Certified” level credentials must complete 16 every three years.

Note: Each accrediting organization must approve of the institute or agency from where you decide to complete your medical imaging, radiology, or ultrasound CME courses.

How to Get Started

“Participation in continuing education demonstrates accountability to peers, physicians, healthcare facilities, and the public.” – ARRT

If you are thinking of pursuing a career in diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound) or another allied health discipline, find out about ultrasound technician degrees and certifications that will lead to these fulfilling professions.

Our state schools page will help you find an educational program that meets your personal and professional needs. Additionally, below are some examples of the providers of continuing medical education courses that may meet the guidelines and qualifications set forth by your accreditation body.

Providers of Ultrasound Technician CME Courses

  • Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute: GCUS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), and offers numerous onsite and online courses for a fee, including abdominal, OB GYN, musculoskeletal, echocardiography, vascular ultrasound CMEs and more.
  • American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: The AIUM offers CME courses, many of which are free or offered at a reduced rate for members.
  • Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS): The SDMS offers free CME for ultrasound to its members, while others may require a fee. Topics include sonography of various specific regions of the body, ultrasound technology, pathology and more.
  • Siemens: Siemens offers online ultrasound CME courses that are either self- or instructor-guided, in areas such as obstetrics, elastography and fetal echocardiography.
  • SonoWorld: SonoWorld offers ultrasound medical education courses primarily for vascular or breast sonography.
  • Pegasus Lectures: Pegasus Lectures offers CME courses on a variety of topics, from ultrasound physics and vascular technology to adult echocardiography and certification exam preparation. Classes are delivered via a combination of live presentations and online modules.
  • Society for Vascular Ultrasound: The SVU offers a variety of vascular ultrasound CME courses for its members.
  • Medical Professionals: Medical Professionals offers CME courses accepted by both the ARDMS and the ARRT.

Once you have begun your career as a medical imager, it’s important to stay up to date on CME courses so that you can advance your career, maintain your certification, and be the best healthcare specialist possible.

Note: UltrasoundSchoolsInfo.com does not recommend or endorse any specific medical education course or provider.

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