For the past two or more years, you’ve worked hard to successfully complete your ultrasound program. That time and effort have paid off, you’ve graduated, and now you’re ready to accept your first job. But wait! Now is the best time to negotiate for the salary you want and to fully understand the benefits packages that companies offer to their new sonographers.
Sonographer and Author Samantha Callis has real-world advice to help you successfully find the job that will be the best fit for you. In this excerpt from her book “Diagnostic Medical Sonography – The Definitive Guide to Planning Your Career“, will give you the information you need to make an informed decision before you accept the job offer.
From Ultrasound School to Your First Job
Explore this 3-part article series by Author and sonographer Samantha Callis, as discussed in her new book “Diagnostic Medical Sonography – The Definitive Guide to Planning Your Career“.
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Understanding the Ultrasound Job Market – Trends, settings, and what new grads should expect.
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Submitting the Application and Acing the Interview – Resumes, references, and interview prep that works.
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Make an Informed Decision Before Accepting the Job – Offers, shifts, benefits, and culture fit.
The Job Offer
You get the phone call or email you have been dreaming of….you got the job! Now it suddenly feels serious. Information about onboarding, pre-employee requirements, pay negotiation, designating a start date, orientation scheduling, future work schedule, uniformation instructions, and benefits information will be coming at you fast.
You might be wondering what to ask this person. Often, this is a all from human resources rather than you future direct supervisor. This is where you need to discuss pay if you want to negotiate.
You are your advocate for pay. If they do not give you that information, I would recommend obtaining it prior to formally accepting the role. The pay rate you accept for your first job somewhat sets the pace for you pay in the future. You don’t want to undersell your skills and talents, but you also need to be realistic. Come prepared to know what is a realistic number.
Things to Consider Regarding Your Salary:
Market Research
Is this typical for the experience level, geographic location, and the wage you anticipated earning? If you accept a wage you are dissatisfied with, you will set yourself up to be resentful later.
Job Type
Hourly rates can vary widely in the sonography profession depending on the context of the position. Is this hospital-based? Outpatient? Highly specialized? Weekend option? Night shift? Per diem?
Shift Differential “Shift-Diff”
A shift differential means you may receive additional compensation beyond your base rate of pay for various reasons, often as an incentive for covering department needs outside of typical work hours. For example, a shift diff for someone working a night shift can add seeral dollars to your hourly rate. Holidays, overtime, and call pay are all ways to make the most of your pay. This is an incredible opportunity to make an hourly rate you may not see until you are more tenured in the position.
A Word of Caution
Burnout is a common term in many professions, and healthcare is no stranger to it. Working odd hours, weekends, holidays, and taking call throughout the night is an amazing way to make extra money, but it can become difficult to maintain this schedule on a long-term basis. Everybody handles work-life balance differently. Understanding the signs of burnout and promptly addressing it will keep you happy and healthy in your job.
Understand the Benefits Offered by Your Sonography Employer
It is crucial to understand whether your role is eligible for benefits. When someone refers to benefits, typically this refers to eligibility to participate in a retirement plan, medical insurance, dental/vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, insurance, life insurance, etc. If you are relatively young and healthy, your eyes might glaze over at this part. You night think it does not apply to you. It can be overwhelming to make so many decisions among several options to opt in/out and how much this will affect your take-home pay.
Take some time to understand basic financial literacy–what is the point of a retirement account? Do I have to have health insurance? Do I need long- or short-term disability insurance? Your employer may even offer ways to sit down with counselors from the organization they use. This is a great way to learn in a low-pressure environment instead of asking questions in a room full of new employees that (seemingly) look like they know exactly what they are doing.
As a new sonographer, you will have a lot of learning left to do. You may find that you want to move into different roles/departments as your career changes. If you can find a great organization to grow with, it is a win-win scenario for your employer and you.