Sonographer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A sonographer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Did you know you can use a machine that uses soundwaves to form images inside the body that you can't normally see? Sonographers are trained to use imaging machines to take these images. They use the images to help doctors find and treat medical issues. They use their skills in a hospital or medical clinic to help a variety of patients, from babies to older adults. Sonographers can look at a baby's heart in the womb to make sure the baby's heart is developing correctly. They could also use ultrasound on a patient with pain to identify the source of the pain.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Sonographer?

1. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
3. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
5. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

6. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
7. Time Management: ? Managing one's own time and the time of others.
8. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
9. Coordination: ? Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
10. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Sonographer might do:

• Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
• 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.
• 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.
• Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
• Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
• Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
• 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.
• Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
• 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).
• Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.