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What's it like being a sonographer?

#sonography #sonographer #medical-field

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Doc’s Answer

Jessica sonographers or ultrasound technologists use special medical equipment to transmit sound waves into the body to make medical diagnostic images that are used by doctors to diagnose possible problems. Potential sonographers may earn a 2- or 4-year degree. Certification in the field is not always mandatory, but many employers prefer to hire certified ultrasound technologists.

SONOGRAPHER EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
A medical ultrasound technologists may enter the field through on-the-job training in a sonography practice that has been accredited by AIUM (American Institution of Ultrasound in Medicine). They may also train through a formal education program or a mixture of both formal and on-the-job training. Increasingly, employers are looking to hire registered ultrasound technologists who have trained through a formal education program, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Programs are available at community colleges and vocational schools, as well as through the military. High school preparation for this profession should include coursework in science, math and health. Formal education programs award either an associate's or bachelor's degree. The most common are the 2-year programs. Coursework for ultrasound technologists includes human anatomy, medical terminology, patient care, physics and instrumentation.

CERTICATION REQUIREMENTS
Licensure by the state is not a requirement for medical sonographers. Credentials are available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). To earn registration, an examination must be passed. Those who pass the test may call themselves a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). After earning registration, ultrasound technologists must maintain it through completing continuing education as required by the ARDMS. Credentials may be earned in many specialty areas, including nervous system, breast, abdomen, cardiac and vascular sonography.

CAREER DESCRIPTION
A medical sonographer uses machinery, which generates sound waves to create an image of the body used for diagnostic purposes. Sonography (or ultrasonography) is used most commonly in obstetrics to see the fetus during pregnancy. A sonographer is trained to discriminate between healthy and diseased areas. They bring any suspected abnormalities to the attention of a physician for a diagnosis. Other job duties for ultrasound technologists include maintaining patient records and equipment. Ultrasound technologists may work in a healthcare facility or travel from location to location as needed. Advancement is available as a ultrasound technologists earns competency in a certain specialty area. Ultrasound technologists are eligible to earn multiple credentials and may advance to become a supervisor or administrative professional.

CAREER OUTLOOK & SALARY
BLS notes that job opportunities for ultrasound technologists should increase by 19% during the time period of 2018-2028, which is considerably faster than average. Hospitals are the main employer for sonographers, but jobs are expected to grow in doctors' offices and diagnostic laboratories. The average Ultrasound Technologist salary in the United States is $80,2500 as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $72,500 and $86,750. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Jessica the field of medical sonography is growing quickly, suggesting many job opportunities in the next ten years. Increasingly, doctors and hospitals look for registered sonographers who have completed formal higher education programs. Education includes instruction on how to use ultrasound technology as well as patient care, anatomy, and medical terminology.

Hope this was Helpful Jessica
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Joseph’s Answer

Being a sonographer involves getting to work on time and working with surgeon needs or special needs of neuro-surgeons. For example, an oncologist may want to confirm if a person has a cancerous tumor or a cyst before administering treatments. The sonographer is the one who will use the ultrasound machine to find out and report the required 3D photo image for analysis by the medical doctor before any treatment is administered.
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