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Check out this article to learn more about accreditation and find a diagnostic medical sonography program that works best for you.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

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

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Second Interest High-Point

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Diagnostic Related Technologists and Technicians

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

Health Technologists and Technicians

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.

Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.

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.

Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.

Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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).

Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.

Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.

Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Overview

Career

What Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do

Other Job Titles Diagnostic Medical Sonographers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Overview

Career

What Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do

Other Job Titles Diagnostic Medical Sonographers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders