What is it Like to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
If you are looking to join the medical field without the long-term educational commitment of medical school or nursing programs, there is an attractive option that you may not have considered. Medical Sonographers are medical professionals whose education does not require a four-year degree. Let's take a closer look at what it is like to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
What is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are specialists who operate ultrasound equipment and other diagnostic imaging methods to examine patients under the supervision of a doctor, in order to facilitate the doctor's diagnosis or monitor the status of a patient's condition.
They may be looking for abnormalities of the body, but you may have been more likely to encounter them during a pregnancy. However, this is just one facet of a multidimensional field that is as demanding as it is rewarding.
A Day in the Life of a Medical Sonographer
Every day Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are on call in their medical practice to perform a number of tasks related to their specialty. Their primary task is to operate sonography devices in order to capture satisfactory images, so they may start their day with testing and adjusting their equipment to ensure the fidelity of these images.
They see patients throughout the day and may be called on to provide basic care, such as seeing to their comfort and monitoring their condition when doctors or nurses are unavailable. During examinations, they may need to position patients or equipment in such a way to obtain the best results for their imaging.
After performing examinations, they will need to provide written summaries or technical information for the attending physician so that they can come to an accurate conclusion. At the end of the day, it may be required to perform cleaning or maintenance tasks in order to ensure that the equipment and working area is ready to go for the next morning's appointment schedule.
What is the Working Environment like for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
Sonography is usually a full-time job and sonographers will normally work 40 or more hours per week. These professionals usually enjoy a regular set schedule and routine to their work. Virtually all work performed is indoors in comfortable environmentally controlled buildings.
Unfortunately, there is a concerning potential to be exposed to disease or infections. This is a risk shared by nearly all medical professionals, and it is incredibly important to observe universal precautions in interactions with all patients. The medical facility will provide safety equipment including gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and protective garments to mitigate this risk considerably.
Common Duties and Responsibilities for Medical Sonographers
In addition to their sonography duties, many tasks will be required of diagnostic medical sonographers. They are often responsible for taking medical histories of new patients and answering complex questions about the sonography examination. They may need to prepare patients for other procedures that will be performed by other specialists.
They may need to quickly respond if equipment malfunctions and provide on-the-spot maintenance or troubleshooting. They also may need to evaluate images in real time without the aid of the physician to give feedback to patients who are concerned if something unexpected is discovered during an examination.
Skills and Qualities of Successful Sonographers
A sonographer needs a light touch with both patients and the delicate equipment they operate. Not everyone is suited to this position, but a certain mix of skills and qualities can lead to success as a sonographer.
First among these is a finely honed attention to detail. Sonographers need to be able to follow procedures exactly, notice small differences in an image, and determine what exactly is wrong. Coordination and manual dexterity are also important, but these can be developed with practice.
Soft skills such as being able to work as a part of a team and empathetically relate to patients who may be suffering are also essential. Patients may require significant assistance to move into a position where an examination is to take place so physical stamina and fitness is a requirement for these professionals.
Are you interested in a degree in sonography?
If you want to earn a Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated course of study. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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