What does a sonographer do?

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. The process involves placing a small device called a transducer against the patient's skin near the body area to be imaged. The transducer works like a loudspeaker and microphone because it can transmit and receive sound. The transducer sends a stream of high-frequency sound waves into the body that bounce off the structures inside. The transducer detects sound waves as they bounce off the internal structures. Different structures in the body reflect these sound waves differently. These sounds are analyzed by a computer and are illustrated as an image of the structure(s) on a television screen or recorded on videotape. Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and ...  more

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a professional who uses special equipment that depicts images of the inside of the human body. Those images are then displayed on a monitor and used by physicians to make diagnoses. A sonographer applies a colorless and odorless gel on the skin in the area being examined. He or she then uses a small apparatus called a transducer on the same surface of the skin, which transmits sound waves inside the patient's body. These sound waves bounce back and create an image. That image is shown on a monitor, and is used to detect diseases, evaluate the health of an organ, or follow the progression of a fetus. Unlike X-ray monitoring, the use of ultrasounds, or sonographs, does not emit harmful radiation. As a result, sonography is an expanding field as more people are choosing to use safer means of monitoring inside the human body. Most sonographers work in a hospital setting, though some work in clinics, private doctor offices, laboratories, and public ...  more

Sonographers are non-physician professionals who perform ultrasound procedures. Sonographers that specialize in imaging and tests of blood vessels are known as vascular technologists. A diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill. There are several areas of specialization in the field of Sonography. • Abdomen - Evaluation of all the soft tissues, blood vessels and organs of the abdominal cavities (for example: liver, spleen, urinary tract, pancreas). • Breast - Frequently used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening or diagnostic mammography. • Obstetrics/Gynecology - Evaluation of the ...  more

With any sonographer job description, new graduates will quickly find out that job duties may vary from area to area, but most sonographers agree on one thing, the job can be tiring both physically and emotionally. Within any sonographer job description you will find generic items that run true regardless of the department in which a sonographer works. Those looking at sonographer job description listings will see they need to be able to bend, work standing for most of the day, lift more than fifty pounds, move heavy equipment by pushing and pulling, view the ultrasounds/sonograms and be able to distinguish between shades of color, treat patients with courtesy, and help patients get onto and off of tables. Other job duties in a sonographer job description include having good hearing, remaining organized throughout the day, troubleshooting equipment problems, being compassionate, working well with other doctors and nurses, and have full use of the hands, wrists, and shoulders. Those ...  more