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29-2032.00 - Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

60,700

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

76,700

Estimate

Change in Employment

+16,000

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+26.4%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
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.
Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
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 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.
Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
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).

Supplemental

Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

Customer and Personal Service

English Language

Physics

Medicine and Dentistry

Clerical

Computers and Electronics

Psychology

Education and Training

Public Safety and Security

Mathematics

Biology

Therapy and Counseling

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Medical ultrasound and doppler and echo imaging products

Computers

Specimen collection and transport containers and supplies

Medical radiological positioning aids

Intravenous and arterial tubing and administration sets and related products

Medical radiological shielding and protection products

Safety apparel

Medical radiological imaging information and archiving products

Pulmonary function testing and treatment products

Vision protection and accessories

Blood pressure units and related products

Injection and aspiration needles and accessories

Medical diagnostic x ray products

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Content authoring and editing software

Data management and query software

Information exchange software

Industry specific software

Business function specific software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Northern Virginia Community College

Programs

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to produce diagnostic images of the human body using special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into different anatomic structures in a patient's body. The sonographer is a central member of the healthcare team and assists the radiologist in gathering diagnostic data for interpretation. NOVA's program emphasizes didactic and 'hands-on' practice of sonographic techniques in a well-equipped scanning laboratory at the Medical Education Campus in Springfield, Virginia. Clinical experience is acquired at numerous area hospitals and private medical affiliates.

Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree program learn to perform an ultrasound of the Abdomen and Small Parts as well as Obstetric and Gynecologic sonography. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examination(s) leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum prepares students to produce diagnostic images of the heart structures and motion to diagnose cardiovascular changes. The echocardiographer uses special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. The echocardiographer is a central member of the health care team and assists the radiologist in body image interpretation. Upon successful completion of degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS^®).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Vascular Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum is designed to prepare students to produce diagnostic images of the blood and blood flow. The vascular sonographer uses special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. The vascular sonographer is a central member of the health care team and assists the radiologist in body image interpretation. Upon successful completion of degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS^®), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS^®) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT^®).

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Programs

Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Associate of Applied Science

The two-year associate degree in sonography is designed to provide a quality entry-level education in the cognitice (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains through a competency-based clinical and didactic instructional curriculum in diagnostic sonography. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonogrpahy exam or the American Registry of Radiolgoic Technologists (ARRT) sonography exam. Hospitals remain the primary employer of sonographers, but there are increasing numbers of jobs available in physician offices, outpatient surgery centers, and free-standing diagnostic imaging centers. The profession of diagnostic medical sonography includes general sonography (defined as abdomen, obstetric, gynecologic, superficial parts, and other appropriate areas), cardiac sonography, vascular technology, and various other subspecialties. Entry-level sonographers usually work in general and obstetric/gynecologic sonography. With further experience and training, they can move into the other specialties.

Career Studies Certificate in Echocardiography

Career Studies Certificate

The PVCC Career Studies Certificate in Adult Echocardiography will prepare competent entry-level Adult echocardiography technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a sonographer uses equipment that emits sound waves to penetrate through body tissue (www.bls.gov). The sound waves reverberate back to create a computerized image of the body tissue. Echocardiographers are thus the specially trained technologist who work with the cardiovascular system.

Career Studies Certificate in Vascular Sonography

Career Studies Certificate

The PVCC Career Studies Certificate in Vascular Sonography will prepare competent entry-level vascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses equipment that emits sound waves to penetrate through body tissue (www.bls.gov). The sound waves reverberate back to create a computerized image of the body tissue. Vascular Sonographers are thus the specially trained technologist who work with the vascular system. According to the U.S. Department of Labor and EMSI data, employment of sonographers nationally and in our service region is projected to grow faster than average for other occupations through 2024. In our region of Virginia vascular sonographers are employed at an estimated salary of $24.31 per hour ($50,564 annually). Experienced vascular technicians can earn an average of $34 per hour ($70,720). As imaging technology evolves, medical facilities will continue to use ultrasound to replace more invasive and costly procedures. Sonographers with specialized credentials in more than one modality, e.g. Vascular Technology, will have a competitive advantage over other sonographers without this additional training.

Rappahannock Community College

Programs