Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Health Science > Diagnostic ServicesProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Medium Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Common job titles of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers include:
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Experience and Education
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
47.13% said they needed a Associate's Degree.
19.34% said they needed a Post-Secondary Certificate.
Tasks
Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.
Tools
X ray beam restriction devices
Venipuncture needles
Ultrasound video equipment
Ultrasound monitors
Two-dimensional doppler ultrasound equipment
Transducers
Tourniquets
All ToolsTablet computers
Sphygmomanometers
Sandbags
Safety gloves
Safety glasses
Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound units
Plethysmographs
Picture archiving and communication systems PACS
Personal protective clothing
Personal computers
Notebook computers
Medical ultrasound printers
M-mode ultrasound machines
Lead barriers
Lancets
Intravenous IV supplies
Immobilization and positioning devices
High frequency transducers
Evacuated blood collection tubes
Desktop computers
Continuous-wave ultrasound equipment
Color Doppler ultrasound equipment
Cardiac ultrasound equipment
A-Mode ultrasound machines
3D sonography equipment
Technologies
MEDITECH software
Calendar and scheduling software
Medical procedure coding software
Patient medical record software
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Abilities
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Sensory Abilities › Visual Abilities › Near Vision