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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Occupation Detailed Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

The main tasks and work activities of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are to create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems, adjust settings or positions of medical equipment, monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning, monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. In general, for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, active Listening, speaking, reading Comprehension, social Perceptiveness and other 16 skills are required.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19.34%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
47.13%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
33.53%

Tasks and Work Activities of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

  • Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
  • 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.
  • Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
  • Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
  • Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
  • Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
  • 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 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).
  • Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
  • Prepare official health documents or records.
  • Process x-rays or other medical images.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Gather medical information from patient histories.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
  • Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Supervise patient care personnel.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

Skills and Abilities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Speed of ClosureThe ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or echo three dimensional componentse.g. 3D sonography equipment
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. A-Mode ultrasound machines
  • Cardiac ultrasound or doppler or echo units or cardioscopese.g. Cardiac ultrasound equipment
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. Color Doppler ultrasound equipment
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. Continuous-wave ultrasound equipment
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Vacuum blood collection tubes or containerse.g. Evacuated blood collection tubes
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or echo transducers or accessoriese.g. High frequency transducers
  • Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological usee.g. Immobilization and positioning devices
  • Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kitse.g. Intravenous IV supplies
  • Lancetse.g. Lancets
  • Medical radiological shielding freestanding or portable screense.g. Lead barriers
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. M-mode ultrasound machines
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or echo printerse.g. Medical ultrasound printers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Notebook computers
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Hazardous material protective apparele.g. Personal protective clothing
  • Medical picture archiving computer systems PACSe.g. Picture archiving and communication systems PACS
  • Body plethysmographse.g. Plethysmographs
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound units
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.