Sonographer Career Guide

In addition to the technical aspects of acquiring and reading images, a good sonographer must also have good eye-hand coordination. Each image must tell a story of what's going on in the patient's body. This requires that the sonographer move the transducer that picks up the images while watching a computer screen.

Sonographers must be detail-oriented and be able to remain calm during an emergency. Depending on the patient population, sonographers may also require physical strength and the ability to stay on their feet for hours at a time.

Sonographers may spend up to 30 minutes with patients who are struggling with health issues. They must have strong communication and interpersonal skills to make connections with their patients and work seamlessly with the rest of the healthcare team.

A sonographer’s work setting varies depending on their specialized skills and the patient population. For example, vascular sonographers more frequently work in inpatient hospital settings while obstetric sonographers more frequently take positions in private practices.

The work setting also dictates a sonographer's work hours. For example, cardiac sonographers or vascular stenographers will work weekends and may take on-call shifts. However, obstetric sonographers working in private practices usually work Monday through Friday during business hours.

The type of health condition a sonographer encounters varies depending on the specialty. For example, a cardiovascular sonographer uses ultrasound to acquire images of the heart and conditions that may affect the cardiovascular system. They can use 2D and 3D imaging to examine structures and irregularities in the heart.

An abdominal sonographer uses imaging technology to help physicians diagnose medical conditions such as tumors, tissue damage, or stones in the gallbladder or kidney. They evaluate the integrity of the abdominal or aorta, liver, pancreas, and spleen. An obstetric sonographer specializes in images taken during pregnancy that are used to evaluate the growth and development of the growing baby.

Sonographers can also specialize in the musculoskeletal system for which they use imaging to identify conditions affecting the tendons, joints, ligaments, and nerves. This includes broken bones, trapped nerves, arthritis, and hernias.

Sonographers are at the forefront of disease prevention and critical healthcare. There are several avenues for advancement, including furthering your education and achieving certification in your specialty. These steps allow you to expand your role, including moving into a management position, research, or education.

The most common educational path is a two-year degree through an accredited training program. This offers a more in-depth and well-rounded education than a vocational certificate which takes one year to complete.

A bachelor's degree is usually chosen by professionals already working as a sonographer and who want the additional education to advance their careers. It is crucial the program and the school are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health/Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Accreditation ensures that the education meets or exceeds standards. An accredited program will not accept transfer credits from an unaccredited program, which means these credits cannot be used to further your career.

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) administers certification examinations and awards credentials for individuals in a variety of specialties, including the abdomen, fetal echocardiography, obstetrics, pediatrics, breast, vascular, and musculoskeletal. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) also offers several certifications in sonography.

These certifications require you to take and pass an examination. Although certification is not required to practice, most employers are seeking certified sonographers, which helps advance your career and increases your employment opportunities and salary potential.

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography(SDMS) - The organization serves to promote the field and educate members. They offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours and give members access to salary data, professional liability insurance, and a career center.

‍American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) - Membership includes sonographers, physicians, scientists, and engineers working to provide education and resources for medical schools.

‍Traveling Sonographers - This Facebook group was set up to help traveling sonographers connect and communicate.

‍Sonographers Spill the Tea - This Facebook group does not allow recruiters, employers, vendors, or agencies so sonographers can feel free to vent, share resources, and ask questions without fear of retaliation or repercussions.