Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as ultrasound technicians, utilize ultrasound technology to create images of internal body structures, aiding physicians in diagnosing and ruling out medical conditions. They commonly specialize in specific areas such as neurosonography, cardiac sonography, or obstetrical sonography. Working in various settings, including hospitals and medical imaging centers, these professionals often have flexible schedules that include evenings and weekends to accommodate patient needs.
The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals while maintaining a compassionate and confidential environment. Sonographers are responsible for preparing equipment, conducting ultrasound examinations, and producing high-quality images for physician interpretation, but they do not diagnose conditions themselves. Education typically involves obtaining an associate's or bachelor's degree in medical sonography, with accreditation from recognized educational programs.
Overall, diagnostic medical sonographers play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing essential imaging services that inform patient diagnoses and treatment plans.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Working in a medical environment, science, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median):$78,210 per year $37.60 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 10% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work.Diagnostic medical sonographers are also referred to as ultrasound technicians, ultrasound technologists, and ultrasonographers. They use ultrasound machines to produce images of internal organs, fluid buildup, fetuses, and suspicious masses. The field they work in is called medical ultrasonography. Physicians use digital images, printed images, and recordings created by diagnostic medical sonographers to make diagnoses of illness or to rule out illness. Diagnostic medical sonographers usually specialize in the medical imaging of a specific area of the human body, such as the brain, heart, eyes, blood vessels, uterus and ovaries, or fetus. Some choose to specialize in multiple areas.
Work Environment. Diagnostic medical sonographers spend their workdays in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and medical imaging centers. They may perform ultrasounds in medical imaging suites, in operating rooms, on emergency room patients, or at a patient’s hospital bedside. Generally, they work forty-hour weeks, but longer hours may be required during peak times. Diagnostic medical sonographer shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, and on-call hours to meet the medical community’s increasing need for diagnostic medical imaging.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of diagnostic medical sonographers tend to be intelligent, analytical, and detail-oriented. Those most successful diagnostic medical sonographers display traits such as good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, focus, problem-solving skills, manual dexterity, calm, and tact. Diagnostic medical sonographers should enjoy working in a medical environment and have training in ultrasound technology.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily occupational duties and responsibilities of diagnostic medical sonographers are determined by the individual’s area of job specialization and work environment. Areas of specialization for diagnostic medical sonographers include, among others, neurosonography (images of the brain and nervous system), cardiac sonography (images of the heart), abdominal sonography (images of the internal organs), ophthalmic sonography (images of the eye), breast sonography, and obstetrical/gynecological sonography (images of the fetus or female reproductive organs).
During a typical work day, a diagnostic medical sonographer will begin by preparing and sterilizing his or her sonographic equipment, reporting any problems to biomedical equipment technicians or hospital staff. They work with office or hospital staff to schedule patient appointments and review physicians’ ultrasound orders to determine the type of exam required. When a patient arrives for an exam, the diagnostic medical sonographer greets him or her and explains the role of ultrasound imaging with regard to medical diagnosis and treatment. If the patient cannot be easily moved, the exam may be performed at a patient’s bedside with a mobile ultrasound machine. The sonographer instructs the patient on the best way to position his or her body to obtain the most accurate image of the area where the physician needs diagnostic information. They use the machine to take ultrasound pictures or recordings of the internal organ(s), fluid buildup, pregnant uterus, or potentially abnormal tissue masses in the patient’s body. Throughout the ultrasound exam, the sonographer works to maintain the safety and comfort of the patient, keeping in mind that the patient may be nervous about the results or worried about a possibly life-threatening health problem. Most hospitals and medical offices do not allow sonographers to make diagnoses so they must be careful not to express visible reactions to the images they see on the ultrasound screen. They may have to communicate this to the patient and let them know that the physician is the person making the actual diagnosis. If a patient’s ultrasound is related to a significant or upsetting health issue htey may pressure the sonographer to offer an opinion based on the test results, so sonographers should be assertive yet sensitive to the issues involved.
When generating ultrasound images, the sonographer must analyze and differentiate between pathological and nonpathological findings, in order to focus on the most useful diagnostic images for the physician who will be receiving the images. The sonographer will also provide the physician a written report along with the ultrasound images and recommend further ultrasound imaging tests if the findings are inconclusive or incomplete.
In addition to the range of responsibilities described above, all diagnostic medical sonographers are responsible for educating themselves about the administrative, physical, and technical patient privacy safeguards included in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Some may assist the medical imaging lab with licensure maintenance, and all sonographers must keep complete and detailed records of each examination they perform.
Echocardiographers (078.364-010). Echocardiographers produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of the heart.
Ophthalmic Sonographers (078.364-010). Ophthalmic Sonographers produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of the eyes.
Obstetrical/Gynecological Sonographers (078.364-010). Obstetrical/Gynecological Sonographers produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of the pregnant and non-pregnant uterus.
Doppler Technologists (078.364-010). Doppler Technologists produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of blood vessels near the surface of the body.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of diagnostic medical sonographers varies based on their employer and specialization. Diagnostic medical sonographers perform ultrasounds in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and medical imaging centers. Diagnostic medical sonographers may perform ultrasounds in stationary medical imaging suites, or they may use a mobile imaging machine to perform ultrasounds on patients in operating rooms, emergency rooms, or patient rooms.
Human Environment. Diagnostic medical sonographers should be comfortable interacting with patients, physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses, scientists, and office staff. Due to the sensitive nature of medical diagnosis, diagnostic medical sonographers should exhibit empathy, tact, and confidentiality at all times.
Technological Environment. Diagnostic medical sonographers use a wide variety of tools and equipment to complete their work, including ultrasound scanners, transducers (handheld probes), lubricants, film, positioning pads, computers, and medical imaging software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school–level study of anatomy, physiology, physics, photography, and mathematics will provide a strong foundation for work as a diagnostic medical sonographer or for college-level work in the field. Due to the diversity of diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path will benefit from seeking internships or part-time work that expose the students to medical settings.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming diagnostic medical sonographers should work toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in medical sonography, ultrasound technology, or a related field. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs has accredited approximately 190 diagnostic medical sonography training programs. Courses in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, physics, and ethics will prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in medical settings.
Related Occupations
− Clinical Laboratory Technologist
− Electroencephalographic Technician
− Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Bibliography
“Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dept of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 29-2032 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.” Occupational Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dept of Labor, 15 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/2016/may/oes292032.htm. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.