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Everything You Need to Know about Diagnostic Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographer:

A diagnostic sonographer is also known as an ultrasound technician.He uses an imaging equipment that directs soundwaves into the patient's body in specific parts using an instrument called ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is pressed against the patient's body. The sound waves bounce back and the echoes are then processed by the ultrasound machine and the images of the respective parts are displayed on the screen. The image thus displayed is called a sonogram. It uses high-frequency sound waves which are not heard by humans. But they can be heard by dogs.

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 diagnostic sonographer

What does a diagnostic sonographer deals with:

The basic work of diagnostic medical sonographer is:

  • To prepare the diagnostic sonographic equipment.

  • To see if the images of the parts of patients are clear and accurate.

  • To apply the gel on the part of the body which is to be examined so that the sound waves easily show the inside of the parts or organs.

  • To get all the necessary images and check if they show the parts clearly. 

  • To answer the questions of the patients if they have any.

  • To send the reports to the physician. check out, jobs according to personality.

A diagnostic sonographer deals with every type of patient the whole day. If he is diagnosing a kid's throat at one moment then the next moment he is probably getting the images of the nervous system of an old man. Most commonly, diagnostic sonographers take images of the fetus in the womb of the mother during pregnancy. There are different types of sonographers like;

  • Breast sonographers

  • Neurosonographer

  • Abdominal sonographer

  • Vascular sonographer

  • Musculoskeletal sonographer

And many more

Working time of a diagnostic sonographer:

The working time mostly depends on the place where you are employed. A diagnostic sonographer may work for 40 hours in a week. They work overnight as well or on weekends too. They work in a room with dim light so that the image can be seen easily and perfectly or they can work beside the bed of patients too. They work in hospitals, the laboratory, clinics or in the physician's room. 

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medical diagnostic sonographer

Academic requirements for diagnostic sonographer:

Associate or bachelor degree in the related files is required to become a diagnostic sonographer. The programme will usually include the courses like anatomy, applied science, physics and medical terminology. After graduating, you must get a diploma in the respective field and then gain some experience. But most of the programmes allow students to choose a specific area of field to get specialization. As there are so many types of sonographers so you can choose what type you want to be. After getting education, you must get an experience by working with a senior sonographer or you can spend some time in a clinic, observing and getting knowledge. In this profession, strong communication skills are required as you have to be in contact with patients most of the time. If you don't know the exact condition of the patient then how can you get the images. So, to get I formation correctly, it's necessary to have good communication skills. The programme you are doing must be accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programmes(CAAHEP). It offers courses in 43 different fields. It's important to be sure about it because to be professional, you just have a professional and verified degree. In the US, this profession is getting broader and more of the people have joined by the ratio of 17%.

Additional studies:

In most of the cases, to work like a professional, you have to pass an exam. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists(ARRT) offers to become a professional in a variety of diagnostic medical sonographers fields. It includes; radiography, resonance imaging, radiation therapy, and many more. 

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography(ARDMS) offers the candidates to register as a sonographer. One must pass the exam, have some experience and get certified through it. If you are registered through ARRT, keep in mind that it is renewed annually. To remain certified, diagnostic sonographer must complete 24 educational credits. While in ARDMS, it is required to complete 30 credits at least in a 3-year period to remain a certified sonographer. According to a stat in the USA, the sonographers who are certified in more than one speciality, get the most professional jobs and credits. 

So, yes, it's not easy to get the dream job easily. One must work hard if you want to be the star. 

sonographer

Salary of a diagnostic sonographer:

The average salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer in the USA is around $72,510 per year. The salary typically starts from $51,430 and goes up to $100,480 per year. It also depends on the nature of work and the shifts.

Following are the salaries based on experience:

  • A top level medical sonographer earnings starts from $ 48.31per hour and per year they can earn $100,480.

  • A middle level sonographer can earn $34.86 per hour and can go up to $72,510 per year.

  • Junior level diagnostic medical sonographer can earn $28.87 per hour and $60,060 per year. 

  • At start, a sonographer can earn $24.73 per hour and $ 51,430 per year.

So, it was an overview of the salaries of sonographers in the USA. The more experienced you are, the more money you can make.

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