Diagnostic medical sonographer
Do you have both strong oral and written communication skills along with sound interpersonal abilities? Do you enjoy keeping up with the latest technologies? Well-developed people skills are key, as sonographers work closely with patients to explain technical procedures and results to their patients who might be anxious. Communication skills are vital in presenting oral and written reports for use by the physician in the assessment of the patient's medical diagnosis. Diagnostic medicine is an ever changing field, so sonographers must be willing to continue to stay current with advancements in the field. If this sounds interesting, you might want to investigate a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Sonography or ultrasonography, is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment of various medical conditions. Diagnostic medical sonographers use equipment to direct these high frequency sound waves into areas of a patient’s body. This equipment collects reflected echoes and forms an image that is recorded for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.
Sonographers explain the procedure and position the patient correctly. They perform an exam, using a transducer, a device moved over the skin’s surface to produce an image. The sonographer looks at the projected image for subtle visual clues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. They then decide which images are satisfactory to store and show the physician.
Ultrasounds are used for a variety of reasons and with additional training sonographers can specialize in several different areas:
- Obstetrics and gynecologic sonography focuses on the female reproductive system.
- Abdominal sonography focuses on a patient’s abdominal cavity to help diagnose and treat conditions primarily associated with the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, and male reproductive system.
- Neurosonography focuses on the nervous system, including the brain.
- Breast sonography focuses on diseases of the breast.
First Steps:
Students interested in diagnostic medical sonography should take high school courses in anatomy, physiology, computer fundamentals, and health education.
Earnings:
Listed below are hourly/annual wages for both entry level and experienced sonographers and the annual median hourly/annual wage.**
Entry Wage
|
Median Wage
|
Experienced Wage
|
Hourly
|
Annual
|
Hourly
|
Annual
|
Hourly
|
Annual
|
$22.34
|
$46,461
|
$31.28
|
$65,060
|
$35.70
|
$74,254
|
**Wage Data 2009, State of Illinois Department of Employment Security
Work Environment:
Sonographers typically work in darkened exam rooms, but they may also perform procedures at a patient’s bedside. Sonographers may be on their feet for long periods of time and often have to lift or turn disabled patients. Most sonographers work a set schedule, usually about 40 hours per week. However, they may work nights, weekends, or holidays as needed.
Job Outlook:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS), a career in diagnostic medical sonography has a favorable outlook with an expected faster than average employment growth.
Education:
Colleges and universities offer two year or four year programs, conferring either an associate or baccalaureate degree. One year programs are available, but they are typically for professional staff already licensed and employed who want to increase their skills and expertise by obtaining additional certification and training.
Programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) are listed below:
Educational/Professional Requirements:
Illinois does not require licensure in diagnostic medical sonography; however, many employers prefer to hire registered sonographers. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certifies each person who passes the exam as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). This certification can be obtained for different specialty areas including, the breast, abdomen, or nervous system. ARDMS also credentials cardiac and vascular sonographers. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offers credentials in breast and vascular sonography and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International credentials cardiac sonographers.
Professional Organization:
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography