Nefesh BNefesh

In order to become certified as an ultrasound technologist in Israel, it is necessary to complete the coursework at a recognized university either in Israel or abroad. There is currently no official government licensing of X-ray technicians, including ultrasound technologists, in Israel. Olim who have certification from abroad have been working on this basis.

Diagnostic ultrasound, both in Israel and abroad, is divided into four main categories: Obstetrics/Gynecology, Vascular, Echocardiography, and Abdominal/General. In Israel, students must first decide which of these four specialties they will pursue, while in the US programs students often combine the study of OBGYN ultrasound with abdominal ultrasound. Additionally, unlike in America, those wishing to study abdominal ultrasound technology in Israel must first complete studies as an x-ray technologist and then can receive "cross-training" in abdominal ultrasound.

There are three main categories of employers in the field: hospitals, one of the four Kupot Cholim (health clinics), and medical imaging facilities. The Israeli healthcare system differs significantly from that abroad and it can take time to adjust.

Hebrew Skills
A good working knowledge of Hebrew is essential. It is strongly advised to study Hebrew before you arrive and to take Ulpan upon arrival. In addition to regular Ulpan, Misrad Haklita will sometimes offer an Ulpan for medical professionals.

Interview with OB/GYN and Abdominal Ultrasound Technician, Jenny Katz:

What is your current position?
I am an OB/GYN and abdominal ultrasound technician who works in medical imaging for one of the Kupot Cholim.

Please provide us with a brief description of your job.
In Israel, an OB/GYN and abdominal ultrasound technician works independently, without a supervising physician. This means his/her decisions are final. Ultrasound techs in Israel perform fewer types of scans than they would in America, with other radiologists filling the gap.  
  
How did you find your job?
I found my job through networking. I spoke with my neighbors and other ultrasound technicians with more experience in Israel. They pointed me in the right direction.

What degree and/or experience should someone obtain prior to Aliyah, in order to break into your field or get a decent position in your field?
To begin working in Israel straight away, without facing questions of proper training, an Oleh must already be a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Additionally, Misrad Habriut requires years of experience as a practicing Ultrasound tech outside Israel before one is allowed to work in Israel. Personally, I had a Bachelor’s degree, completed a graduate-level program in ultrasound technology, and had six years of experience prior to making Aliyah.

Does it make any difference whether you studied in Israel or abroad?
Studying in Israel is very helpful. After completing an Israeli program in ultrasound technology and passing the necessary exams, Misrad Habriut will provide you with a teudah (certification). Someone who studied outside of Israel may not necessarily receive a teudah. This teudah is necessary in order to be considered by certain employers for job openings. It is also needed in order to join professional organizations.

What is the professional organization (if any) in your field? How can it be contacted and what does it do?
There are professional organizations for ultrasound technologists in Israel, including one for those have an OB/GYN specialty (ISDUM). A teudah is helpful in joining these organizations. I was unable to get a teudah; and, therefore, I was unable to join one of these organizations (or get a particular job that I wanted).
Ultrasound technologists, in Israel, must be familiar with advancing science and medical technology. These professional organizations provide seminars and updates that are helpful in keeping up with these advances.
  
What is the salary range?
In Israel, OB/GYN and abdominal ultrasound techs generally receive hourly wages between 23-40 NIS. This is somewhat dependent on the amount of time one works.  

What recommendations can you offer an Oleh looking to work in this field?
I recommend studying in Israel. If one cannot study in Israel, one should make Aliyah with years of experience or risk being forced to start over and get an Israeli ultrasound technology degree.

Thank you to Mrs. Katz for participating in this interview.

Interview with Echocardiographer, Gershom Lichtenberg:

Please provide us with a brief description of your job. 
I am a technologist (echocardiographer) who performs ultrasound examinations of the heart at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. Echocardiographers in Israel work under the general direction of a cardiologist, within the Cardiology Department.

How did you find your job? 
I worked with a cardiologist from Rambam years ago. He offered me a job then, and the offer still stood when we made Aliyah in 2007.

What experience do you need to get into your field?
Here in Israel, there are no educational programs comparable to the US programs which result in  national certification. Generally, people seem to go through some sort of general Medical Technology or General Ultrasound program, but they do not seem to be as extensive. The people that I have met also did a 2-6 month internship rotation at one of the medical centers here.

Olim who come with a US registry (RDCS, CCI) should find that people are interested in employing them, although the exact availability at any time or in any area is unclear. It does not seem that people here switch jobs very often.

Currently, I am the only ARDMS registered echocardiographer in Israel. Searching the ARDMS website for all types of ultrasound practice, there are six sonographers of all specialties (ARDMS) in Israel.

What degree should someone making Aliyah have, in order to break into your field or get a decent position in your field? 
I have a BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, but as anyone from the US will know, this is unusual even there. There is no specific degree requirement, although educational level may affect salary received (slightly).

What experience do you need to get the position you have?
Since not many of us have made Aliyah, this is difficult to ascertain. But as a comparison, when looking to hire two new technologists for our lab, our director found it simpler to hire intelligent people with basic medical backgrounds but no experience and train them ourselves, than to continue to search for experienced people who would change jobs.

Does it make any difference whether you studied in Israel or abroad? 
If anything, an American education would probably be more useful, assuming that all else is the same. However, if the choice were between staying in the US for the education or coming here sooner and developing Hebrew communication skills, I would come here sooner.

What is the salary range?
Salary is lower than in the US It is hard to give specifics because of the variation based on some mysterious experience/education formula. Also, it seems that in many institutions, most or all technologists work varying degrees of part-time. The highest percentage in our lab is one person who works 87.5%. However, our income is also augmented by performing what are called “Sharan” studies. These are out-patients who are scheduled after normal working hours (3 pm), for whom we are paid per patient. The rate for this is much higher than the regular work. We all work these extra hours on some days. In addition, there are people who supplement their work as Applications Specialists for the companies that sell echocardiography equipment.

Describe the personal growth opportunities that exist.
Equipment technology as well as medical knowledge is at a very high level here, so the chance to continue to develop our technical skills and personal knowledge definitely exists.

Hopefully, in the future, there will also be roles for educators to develop a couple of programs here for the education of echocardiographers. There are some difficulties that need to be overcome.

Who are the major employers in your field?
The three main categories of employers in the field are hospitals, Kupot Cholim, and medical imaging facilities. Also, GE Healthcare manufactures some of their equipment here, in Haifa, so there are a small number of technologists who have careers there.

What are the upcoming areas of specialty that you would recommend?
Stress Echo experience may be useful in some places, although we perform a very small number at Rambam.

What is the professional organization (if any) in your field? How can it be contacted and what does it do? 
There is no specific organization of echocardiographers here, however, the Israel Heart Association's Echo Working Group would appreciate the participation of experienced echocardiographers. The Echo Working Group offers occasional educational programs and on at least one recent occasion, organized a multi-center research project.

What recommendations can you offer Olim looking to work in this field?
Put all your effort into becoming as fluent as you can in Hebrew. While many physicians may be able to communicate with you in English, it would be extremely difficult to work for any length of time without a functional Hebrew knowledge. It is difficult to study while working, so leave yourself time to learn before you need to begin to work.

How do you feel about working and living here in Israel?
My wife and I are very happy with our lives here, although the finances of our employment require that we live much more conservatively than we would need to in the US.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to go to work here, in the beautiful city of Haifa, shortly after Aliyah. My work requires that I accept that I am not in charge; and, as in many other aspects of Aliyah, things are done differently than I would have done them.

Do you have any other advice?
An Oleh should come prepared to be the “New Guy in Town.” Don't expect people to be waiting for you to show them “how it is done.” There is already a way that people do things, with the full range of qualities that you see in different places in the US. On the other hand, bring your American work ethic and sense of responsibility. It is very welcome.

Thank you to Mr. Lichtenberg for participating in this interview.