What Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. They also observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• 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.
• Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
• Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

We asked Diagnostic Medical Sonographers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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76% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles. They observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.

A typical day for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer will also include:

• Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
• 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.
• Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
• Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.

We asked some Diagnostic Medical Sonographers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	79% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	66% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	67% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	68% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	16% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	73% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers also maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary. They may also perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

On a weekly to monthly basis, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers. They might also Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

In addition, they Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.

To some Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, it is also their responsibility to Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

http://www.ardms.org/