A sonographer is a trained health professional who performs diagnostic medical sonographic procedures utilizing ultrasound equipment. A diagnostic medical sonographer (the technical name for an ultrasound technician) uses equipment that produce high frequency sound waves and creates visual images of structures inside the body. These visual internal images are then used by physicians and surgeons to diagnose medical conditions and help make medical treatment decisions.
A sonographer is required to operate and maintain complex ultrasound equipment in order to perform sonographic procedures. Operating sonography equipment and producing high-quality images takes a significant amount of training and practice.
The ultrasound process basically involves applying a gel to the skin in the area that needs to be examined which helps produce the trasmission of sound waves. Then the sonographer places an acoustic transducer on the patient’s skin. The transducer produces high frequency sound waves that are transmitted into the body. These sound waves bounce around the parts inside the patient’s body and then come back to the transducer which detects these wave echos and how they bounce around inside the body. Structures in the body will reflect these sound waves differently. Mapping these waves together produces an image of the body’s internal structures. The sonographer’s goal is to move and manipulate the transducer over the body in order to obtain the best view of the situation inside the patient.
These acoustic signals are then converted into electronic signals to create a digital image of internal organs, blood vessels and other structures. These images can be viewed on a monitor and can be recorded on video for use by other medical professionals, such as doctors, surgeons and radiologists.
The sonographer will record and select the images that contain the best information. These images will be sent to and viewed by a radiologist or supervising physician, who then uses them to diagnose or monitor the patient’s condition.
A sonographer spends more time with their patients than many other health care professionals. The ultrasound process is very “hands-on”, and many technicians appreciate the amount of patient contact they get to be involved with.
While some ultrasound sonographers specialize in a certain area, others perform on a variety of patients and conditions. Many sonographers work in tracking fetal health and development. Other specialties include abdominal, adult and pediatric heart, and vascular procedures. A cardiac sonographer (also known as an echocardiographer) works on researching the heart and supporting vein system.
Most sonographers work a typical Monday through Friday schedule at a hospital or diagnostic medical lab. Some positions, of course, have evening or weekend hours as necessary.
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is someone qualified to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound procedures. They are qualified by achieving professional credentials and academic and clinical experience.
Certification as a diagnostic medical sonographer can be give by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The ARDMS gives certification exams and by passing this exam, the student can be awarded the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) title. As far as academic training, there are more than 150 ultrasound training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
How Much Money Can I Make?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics believes the median annual salary for a staff sonographer is around the $62,000 mark.
How Long Will My Training Take?
An aspiring sonographer can get into this field a few different ways. A two-year associate’s degree program is the most common form of training. There are some certification based programs that can allow you finish in 12-18 months. Some students will pursue an actual four-year undergraduate degree. Many employers like to see at least an associates degree.
What Will I Study?
Your training will likely include classroom and book study in anatomy, physiology, treating patients, ethics in medicine, instrumentation and the physics of the human body. If you decide to specialize in cardiac, abdomen, OB-GYN, obstetrical or vascular sonography, there will be more in-depth classes in those areas. There will also be much clinical training to get you the hands-on experience you need to become skilled at using and maintaining your ultrasound tools.