Life As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Career Description Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Life As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- 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.
- Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Needed Skills
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles
- Ultrasound Tester
- Sonographer
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)
- Cardiac Sonographer
What Kind of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 67,300 jobs for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in 2016.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.2% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,600 new jobs for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,400 positions for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are Texas, Florida, and California.
Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is somewhere between $51,430 and $100,480. The median salary for this occupation is $72,510.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Hawaii |
$94,350 |
|
Alaska |
$93,740 |
|
California |
$92,660 |
|
District of Columbia |
$90,860 |
|
Washington |
$87,960 |
|
Oregon |
$86,380 |
|
Rhode Island |
$84,990 |
|
Massachusetts |
$83,780 |
|
Wisconsin |
$83,670 |
|
Colorado |
$83,430 |
|
Arizona |
$83,320 |
|
Connecticut |
$82,370 |
|
Minnesota |
$80,390 |
|
Idaho |
$80,330 |
|
New Hampshire |
$79,680 |
|
Maine |
$78,220 |
|
Vermont |
$78,210 |
|
New Jersey |
$77,110 |
|
Montana |
$76,700 |
|
Illinois |
$76,700 |
|
Nevada |
$76,220 |
|
Maryland |
$75,270 |
|
Utah |
$75,070 |
|
New York |
$74,960 |
|
Virginia |
$74,390 |
|
Missouri |
$73,920 |
|
Delaware |
$72,230 |
|
Kansas |
$72,020 |
|
Texas |
$71,580 |
|
North Dakota |
$70,950 |
|
Indiana |
$68,970 |
|
Iowa |
$68,960 |
|
Oklahoma |
$68,900 |
|
North Carolina |
$66,850 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$66,470 |
|
Wyoming |
$66,090 |
|
South Carolina |
$65,870 |
|
Ohio |
$65,840 |
|
Florida |
$65,830 |
|
Kentucky |
$65,790 |
|
Nebraska |
$64,200 |
|
Tennessee |
$64,080 |
|
New Mexico |
$63,840 |
|
Arkansas |
$63,140 |
|
Georgia |
$61,960 |
|
West Virginia |
$61,740 |
|
Mississippi |
$61,200 |
|
Michigan |
$61,130 |
|
South Dakota |
$60,500 |
|
Louisiana |
$60,360 |
|
Alabama |
$56,450 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Diagnostic Medical Sonographers:
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Microsoft Excel
How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
What education or degrees do I need to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
How Long Does it Take to Become Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Who Employs Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer may also be interested in:
- Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.