Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

What Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do

Echoes are sent to the ultrasound machine, which processes them and displays them as images.

Diagnostic medical sonographers use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body (in a procedure commonly known as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echo cardiogram) to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.

Duties

Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:

• Prepare patients for procedures by taking a patient’s history and answering any questions about the procedure
• Prepare and maintain imaging equipment
• Apply a gel to aid the sound waves’ ability to show the inside of the body
• Operate equipment to get diagnostic images of areas in the patient’s body
• Analyze the images to check for quality and adequate coverage of the area needed for diagnosis
• Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images
• Analyze images to provide preliminary findings for physicians
• Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. The sonographer presses an instrument called an ultrasound transducer to the parts of the patient’s body that are being examined. The transducer emits pulses of sound that bounce back, causing echoes. The echoes are then sent to the ultrasound machine, which processes them and displays them as images.

Diagnostic medical sonographers specialize in different parts of the body. The following are examples of specific types of sonographers:

Abdominal sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s abdominal cavity and nearby organs, such as the kidney, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or spleen.

Breast sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s breast tissues. Sonography aids mammography in the detection of breast cancer.  Breast sonography is also used to track tumors in breast cancer patients.

Musculoskeletal sonographers specialize in imaging muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.

Neurosonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s nervous system, including the brain.

Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system. Many pregnant women receive ultrasounds to track the baby's growth and health.

Cardiovascular and vascular technologists use sonography to assist physicians in diagnosing problems with a patient’s heart, arteries and veins.

Work Environment

Diagnostic medical sonographers must understand how to operate complex machinery.

Diagnostic medical sonographers work in healthcare facilities such as  hospitals, physician’s offices , medical and diagnostic laboratories: 

·         Hospitals; state, local, and private

·         Offices of physicians

·         Medical and diagnostic laboratories

·         Outpatient care centers

Diagnostic medical sonographers do most of their work at diagnostic imaging machines in dimly lit rooms, but they may also perform procedures at patients' bedsides. Sonographers may be on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients who are disabled.

Work Schedules

Most diagnostic medical sonographers work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, sonographers sometimes work evenings, weekends, or overnight.

How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers must work closely with patients.

Diagnostic medical sonographers need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification.

Education

Colleges and universities offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography.. Employers prefer a degree or certificate from an accredited institute or hospital program. The accredited programs usually follow a specific course of study and include clinical training. These programs also include courses in medical terminology and interpreting sonographic images. Most programs are divided into the specialized fields that correspond to the relevant certification exams, such as abdominal sonography or breast sonography.

High school students who are interested in diagnostic medical sonography should take courses in anatomy, physiology, and mathematics.

Licenses and Certification

Most employers prefer to hire sonographers who have professional certification. A sonographer can get certification by graduating from an accredited program and passing an exam. Most exams relate to the specialty that the sonographer is most interested in—for example, an exam to be become certified in abdominal sonography. A few states require diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed. Typically, professional certification is required for licensure; other requirements vary. Sonographers must take continuing education to keep their certification current.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Diagnostic medical sonographers must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat the patient. They also must pay attention to the screen while scanning a patient's body because the cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones may be subtle.

Hand-eye coordination. To get quality images, diagnostic medical sonographers must be able to move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen.

Interpersonal skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers must work closely with patients. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or mental stress, and the sonographer must get cooperation from the patient to create usable images.

Stamina. Diagnostic medical sonographers work on their feet for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.

Technical skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.