Ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, operate machines called sonographic scanners that create images of patients’ internal organs. Sonographers can work in physicians’ offices, clinics or hospitals, and night and weekend shifts may be required. They may specialize in certain areas, such as breast, obstetric or vascular sonography. Duties include:
Prepare patients for procedures by taking a patient’s history and answering any questions about the procedure
Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or conduct tests
Analyze the images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images and other diagnostic information
Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
Record findings and keep track of patients’ records
* Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 46 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
