Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

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

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cardiovascular Sonographer; Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician); Echosonographer Technologist (Echo Technologist); Medical Sonographer; RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer); Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer; RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist); Staff Sonographer; Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech); Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)

Tasks

• 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.
• Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
• Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
• 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.
• Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
• Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
• Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.

Knowledge

• Physics
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Customer and Personal Service
• Biology
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Control Precision
• Flexibility of Closure
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Speech Recognition
• Speed of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Finger Dexterity