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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer |
Career OverviewSonography, also called ultra sonography, uses sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions. Sonography is often associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, but it has many other medical applications.
Diagnostic medical sonographers, who are also called ultrasonographers, use specialized equipment to direct non-ionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of a patient’s body. While the sonographer operates the equipment, images that are formed from reflected echoes are videotaped, photographed or transmitted in some way that they can be interpreted and diagnosed by a physician.
Diagnostic medical sonographers usually spread a special gel on the skin. This gel aids in the transmission of sound waves. Then the diagnostic medical sonographer uses a device called a transducer, which transmits sound waves into the patient’s body. The diagnostic medical sonographer will tell the patient to move into different positions that will provide the best view.
The diagnostic medical sonographer views the screen during the scan and looks for clues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. Then the sonographer selects the best images to show the physician. The diagnostic medical sonographer also takes measurements, calculates values and analyzes the results in preliminary reports for the doctor.
Diagnostic medical sonographers work in several different medical areas. Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in the female reproductive system. Abdominal sonographers examine the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas. Abdominal sonographers can also examine parts of the chest, but heart studies using sonography are usually done by echocardiographers. Neurosonographers focus on the nervous system, including the brain. Neurosonographers also scan blood vessels to look for abnormalities that indicate a stroke in an infant diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia. Breast sonographers study diseases in breasts. They watch for cancer and track tumors and blood supply conditions. Breast sonographers use special transducers made exclusively for the study of breast tissue.
Besides working with patients, diagnostic medical sonographers must adjust and maintain equipment, keep patient records, and prepare schedules. They might also be responsible for managing a sonography or diagnostic imaging department. Most of a diagnostic medical sonographer’s work is done in that department, but he or she might sometimes work at a patient’s bedside.
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Career RequirementsDiagnostic medical sonographers can be trained in hospitals, colleges and universities, and vocational – technical institutions. Some training programs prefer applicants who have a background in science or other professions in healthcare. High school graduates should have successfully completed courses in science and mathematics and have a liberal arts background.
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Job OutlookAs the population grows and ages, the need for diagnostic medical sonographers will grow. In fact, it is growing faster than the average of other occupations, and growth is projected through 2014. Most diagnostic medical sonographers work in hospitals, but as sonographic technology expands, sonographers will be working in other settings, like doctor’s offices. Patients feel safer with imaging that does not involve potentially harmful radiation.
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Career TrackSome health care workers, such as obstetric nurses and radiologic technologists, broaden their opportunities by seeking training in fields such as sonography. Workers in one type of sonography will train in other types to make themselves more marketable.
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CompensationMost diagnostic medical sonographers earn between $44,000 and $61,000 a year. Some earn less than that, and others earn more. Diagnostic medical sonographers working in physicians’ offices tend to earn slightly more money than those who work in general hospitals.
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