Job Outlook - Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

by Mike Churchill

When it comes to accurate diagnosis of many conditions and diseases, diagnostic imaging leads the way. However, the equipment is only as good as the professionals who operate it and evaluate the results. That's why qualified diagnostic medical sonographers are so highly valued. Through specialized health care training, sonographers play an essential role in helping patients achieve and maintain good health.

Diagnostic imaging has been in existence for decades. Virtually everyone is familiar with x-rays, which use radiation to create images. However, magnetic resonance imaging - using giant magnets and radio waves - is also popular. Due to its decreased risk and non-existent side effects, sonography is becoming the preferred choice of physicians for many types of diagnostics. With sound waves, sonographers can view images and capture them for later evaluation by doctors.

Health Care Training

Health education programs are available through a variety of sources, including specialized schools, the military and more. Depending on the institution chosen, you may study physics and instruments as well as abdominal, small parts and OB/GYN applications. You may also cover gray scale and color-flow Doppler sonography during the health education program.

Job Responsibilities

The vast majority of sonographers work at hospitals, though some are employed by individual medical practices. While most often associated with pregnancy, sonography is widely used for the diagnosis of non-pregnancy related conditions. As a sonographer, you might be responsible for:

Interacting With Patients - Many patients will be nervous about their procedure. The sound-conducting gel that must be used, the transducers, computer monitor and other equipment can be frightening to someone who has never experienced this type of diagnostic imaging. Explaining what to expect will be of great comfort to patients.

Preparing Patient Histories - Before the sonogram begins, you may be responsible for collecting pertinent information about the patient's medical history. Because certain ailments and medicines might have a bearing on the results of the scan, they should be noted prior to a sonogram being performed.

Performing Sonograms - Knowing how to position the patient to get the best view, which ways the equipment responds best, when you have captured images that will be beneficial to the doctor and more all play a role in performing a good sonogram. If any of these are not at their optimum, it could affect the doctor's diagnosis and, therefore, the patient's treatment.

Preparing Reports - After taking measurements, calculating values and analyzing their findings, sonographers who have detailed health care training compile specific reports for physicians. Using the information from the sonographer, the doctor determines a final diagnosis.

In addition to attending a health education program in general sonography, you may also choose to continue your studies in order to specialize in a particular area. OB/GYN, abdominal sonography, neurosonography, breast sonography and others are common areas of concentration.

OB/GYN - Working exclusively with women, a sonographer at an OB/GYN office will conduct scans of the female reproductive system for diagnostic purposes. The sonographer may also examine fetuses and track the growth and development of babies.

Abdominal - Primarily dealing with the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen, a sonographer conducts procedures within the abdominal cavity.

Neurosonography - Using frequencies and beam shapes different than other sonographs, the neurosonographer focuses his/her attention on the nervous system, including the brain, scanning to detect strokes and other medical conditions.

Breast - With high-frequency tranducers made exclusively for breast tissue, the breast sonographer studies breast cancer, tumors and blood supplies, as well as helping with biopsies.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm), "Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. In addition to job openings from growth, some job openings will arise from the need to replace sonographers who leave the occupation permanently.”

"Opportunities should be favorable because sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures as patients seek safer treatment methods. Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects and complications from repeated use are rarer for both the patient and the sonographer. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D- and 4D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis."

If you have a love for science and math, good communication and interpersonal skills, a career path in sonography might be for you. Take the time to further investigate this exciting vocation and see for yourself!

Mike Churchill provides marketing for Select Medical Schools, a school database that links you to nationwide campuses offering health care training including sonography programs. Get details at http://www.selectmedicalschools.com. © 2007, All Rights Reserved