Becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer is a long and strenuous process, but it’s worth it in the end. The field of diagnostic medical sonography is growing rapidly, and it’s one of the most in-demand positions in the medical profession. If you want to be at the forefront of this new technology, follow these steps to get started:
- Get Your Education
You’ll need to start with an associate’s degree or certificate in diagnostic medical sonography. You can find these programs at community colleges, technical schools and online universities such as [University Name].
- Get Experience
Once you’ve got your degree or certificate, you’ll need to get some work experience under your belt before applying for jobs as a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer. This could mean volunteering at an imaging center or working part-time at a hospital or clinic until you’re ready for full-time employment.
- Pass Your Certification Exam
Once you have all of your education and experience under your belt, it’s time for certification! There are several organizations that offer certification exams including [Organization Name], which offers its exam every six months during their annual conference;
How To Become Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
In order to be a successful medical diagnostic sonographer, it is helpful to love anatomy, be detail oriented, and have precise attention to imaging protocols, as well as a keen eye for subtle changes in imaging results. Interpersonal skills are important for working with diverse patient populations and for communicating imaging results clearly to other health professionals. A career as a medical diagnostic sonographer may be a good fit for people who want to gain highly technical skills but also work closely with people each day. The position combines focused medical knowledge, hand-eye coordination, and a motivation to get patients the medical care they need.
Higher education requirements
There are many educational pathways to becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer. After high school, the typical pathway includes:
- Obtaining either an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, with coursework in the sciences and anatomy.
- Completing a certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography. Certificate programs are both educational courses specific to diagnostic medical sonography training as well as clinical experiences. Certificate programs are available through colleges, universities, and teaching hospitals.
Certification for a diagnostic medical sonographer
In addition, many employers also require candidates to have completed a professional sonography certification as well as basic life support training, or complete certification soon after hire. There are several organizations that offer certification for sonographers, including the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), Cardiovascular Credentialing International, and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Most certified diagnostic medical sonographers will practice under the title of registered diagnostic medical sonographer (R.D.M.S), and some will also receive advanced certifications.
Career outlook for a diagnostic medical sonographer
With a large aging population, the need to diagnose medical conditions using affordable imaging technology is likely to increase. Sonographers are needed to provide an alternative to radiation imaging techniques. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this profession to grow faster than average over the next decade. The average salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $77,740, with that figure dependent on experience, certification, and location.
With additional training and education, some sonographers may move into supervisory positions or become advanced sonographers. Earning an advanced degree will allow some sonographers to become educators and researchers.
Scope of practice
Typical job duties, roles, and responsibilities of a diagnostic medical sonographer include:
- Operating imaging equipment, and reviewing images to be sure they are of good quality and helpful for diagnosis
- Identifying normal and abnormal imaging results, communicating a summary of the results to physicians or other health professionals, and alerting physicians to urgent problems
- Preparing patients for procedures and educating patients throughout the ultrasound exam
- Reviewing patient medical history, recording imaging results in patient records, and coordinating care with various departments within the hospital or clinic
Diagnostic medical sonographers work with doctors, nurses, and patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Similar diagnostic imaging roles include magnetic resonance imaging technologists and radiation technologists, who assist with conducting and interpreting MRI scans and X-rays, respectively.
Specializations
Diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in a variety of areas. For example, vascular technologists create images of blood vessels, while obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system. Other specialized sonographers may focus on imaging the abdomen, musculoskeletal system, or blood vessels. A sonographer who focuses on imaging the heart is called an echocardiographer, and they provide visualizations of patients’ heart valves and cardiac arteries. While some employers may want specialized sonographers, many general sonographer positions will require imaging experience in several of these areas.
Work environment
Diagnostic medical sonographers are often found performing ultrasound procedures at a patient’s bedside, but also may work with imaging machines in a dedicated room within the hospital or clinic. Most diagnostic medical sonographers work full time, and some may be asked to work evenings, weekends, or on holidays depending on their employer. Often, the role requires you to be on your feet for most of the work day.
While diagnostic medical sonographers work predominantly in hospitals, they can also be employed in doctors’ offices and medical and diagnostic labs. The role of a diagnostic medical sonographer typically does not differ greatly whether you work at a hospital, clinic, or specialized lab, however you might encounter a broad range of disease states, or would be able to specialize, if you work for a large hospital or health system.
