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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

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

What you’d do

  • Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
  • Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Operation and Control

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer)
  • Staff Sonographer
  • Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech)
  • Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)
  • Cardiovascular Sonographer
  • Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician)

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