Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Overview: Sonography, or ultrasonography, is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. Sonography commonly is associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, but this technology has many other applications in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions throughout the body. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Overview: Diagnostic medical sonographers use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. Viewing the screen during the scan, sonographers look for subtle visual cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Specialty Areas: Diagnostic medical sonographers may specialize in obstetric and gynecologic sonography (the female reproductive system), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas), neurosonography (the brain), or breast sonography. In addition, sonographers may specialize in vascular sonography or cardiac sonography. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Preparation: Diagnostic medical sonography is an occupation where there is no preferred level of education and several avenues of education are widely accepted by employers. Although no level of education is preferred, employers do prefer sonographers who trained in accredited programs and who are registered. Colleges and universities offer formal training in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor's degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Preparation (continued): Course work includes classes in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, basic physics, patient care, and medical ethics. The Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) currently accredits 163 training programs in this field. A list of programs is available on the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Day in the Life: Diagnostic Sonographers typically work in health care facilities that are clean. They usually work at diagnostic imaging machines in darkened rooms, but also may perform procedures at patients' bedsides. Sonographers may be on their feet for long periods of time and may have to lift or turn disabled patients. Some sonographers work as contract employees and may travel to several health care facilities in an area. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Earnings: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers is $61,980. The middle 50 percent of sonographers earned wages between $52,570 and $73,680 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,950. Median annual wages of diagnostic medical sonographers were $62,340 in offices of physicians and $61,870 in general medical and surgical hospitals. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment –Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Employment: Diagnostic medical sonographers hold about 50,300 jobs in the United States. 59 percent of all sonographer jobs were in public and private hospitals. The remaining jobs were typically in offices of physicians, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and outpatient care centers. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Career Path Forecast: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 18 percent from 2008 through 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. As the population continues to age, there will be an increasing demand for diagnostic imaging. Additional job growth is expected as healthcare providers increasingly utilize ultrasound imaging as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to radiological procedures. Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment –Career Path Forecast–Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Resources: More information about Diagnostic Medical Sonography is available at the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, including accredited university programs, suggestions for precollege students, a free monthly careers newsletter, and a PDF summarizing the field. Associations: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Overview –Preparation – Day in the Life – Earnings – Employment – Career Path Forecast – Resources Developed by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer