Evenings, weekends or overnight (Diagnostic Medical). Although hospitals continue to be the leading employer for diagnostic medical sonographers, work is expected to increase in physicians’ offices, and in medical and diagnostic laboratories (Diagnostic Medical). Responsibilities in Job Sonographers follow orders given by a doctor or radiologist (Romanosky). By answering questions and collecting a patient’s history they prepare the patient for the procedure (Diagnostic Medical). Ultrasound technicians have to properly prepare and select the equipment that is going to be used.
Before the test begins sonographers have to assist patients into the position needed for the exam. After the patient is aligned a gel is applied on the transducer that is then placed on the skin. The microphone shaped device is also adjusted to the depth of field and the frequency of the sound waves are changed (Romanosky). The sonographer watches the display screen of the sound waves to make sure the images are of good quality (Romanosky). Being able to tell the difference between normal and abnormal images is the responsibility of the technician (Diagnostic Medical).
They must also master the ability to locate and visualize the human anatomy. By doing this they are able to differentiate healthy and pathologic areas. Equipment is used to record what is being visualized while looking at the images of the area affected. This is then prepared for analysis by an attending physician or radiologist (Romanosky). Daily tasks The main role of a sonographer is to take care of patients. After being referred by a doctor the ultrasound technician will assess what is going on and adjust the procedure accordingly.
Before doing the procedure the sonographer will describe what s going to take place and the reason behind it (What). To look for certain problems the patient may have to have a full bladder, or have “an injection of contrast medium. ” Next the sonographer does the actual procedure. The patient will usually be able to see what is happening on the monitor. Since the sonographer and patient see the same images it allows communication to occur between the two people. Ultrasound technicians have to be able to give an account of what they are doing and say what the results are during the procedure.
After the exam, the results will be prepared by the ultrasound echnician that will eventually be submitted to the patient’s doctor. The sonographer will analyze the results and can suggest treatments but cannot actually order them (What). Career Viability The population is continually aging so there is an increasing need for diagnostic sonography (Editors). A large part of this is the baby boomer generation. This specific group is growing older and ultrasound is needed to help diagnose conditions like blood clots and heart disease (Diagnostic).
Since these problems are likely to arise, sonograms can be an essential tool in finding a diagnosis. More individuals are getting health insurance due to federal health care reforms. Sonographers will be needed to operate the sonogram equipment (Diagnostic). The Affordable Care act, along with changes to insurance policies have shifted the focus to less costly services that do not degrade healthcare quality (Five). Ultrasonic scans can meet both of those needs (5). Requirements made by the Affordable care act make health insurance companies have to cover childbirth and pregnancy related events (Five).
Sonographers assist physicians in diagnosing serious health conditions, which abundantly benefits ociety (Faren). Ultrasonic imaging is expected to grow very quickly and new procedures are being devolved. This allows areas of the body, where sonograms are not normally used, to be imaged (Editors). Sonographer’s work helps doctors and patients track the development a baby up until birth (Faren). There has been a shift from hospitals towards outpatient care in doctors’ offices and clinics due to changes to the healthcare industry (Five).
Ultrasound technicians find enjoyment in getting to have one-on-one contact with patients (Faren). Career Advancement Opportunities Someone in this field with more experience and that further their education can have more advancement areas. Ultrasound technicians with a bachelor’s degree have a better chance to get additional duties and responsibilities. A higher position can be earned such as chief technologist, administrator supervisor. These jobs include getting to choose new equipment, creating schedules, and overseeing the sonography department (Careers).
Some may instruct others on sonography, teach ultrasound technology in hospitals and universities. Those who are certified in multiple areas by the ARDMS may find ease n getting employment compared to someone that is only registered in one area of the body. Education never stops for Sonographers; training is needed to keep up with new technological advances. Other sonographers want to go into marketing by selling ultrasound equipment to medical clients, and becoming a sales representative.
The technology can be sold to non-medical industries that manufacture plastics and steel. Sonographers can work for companies that manufacture the ultrasound equipment by demonstrating how to operate the new machinery (Careers). Job outlook Imaging technology is getting more advanced. As it evolves it will be used instead of exams that are invasive and expensive. To Health insurance companies support the use of ultrasound rather than other procedures that involve radiation (Diagnostic).
Diagnostic medical sonography is expected to “see significant growth over the coming years,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (5). Employment is expected to rise 43. 5 percent from 2012 to 2020 (Five). More growth in sonography is going to stem from the effects of the Affordable Care Act due to changes to healthcare requirements during pregnancy requiring a clinical greater use of ultrasound. A great reason to become a sonographer is because of changes to the healthcare industry (Five). Ultrasounds are much cheaper in comparison to similar exams.
At $2,600 on average for an MRI and $1,100 on average for an ultrasound, even one unnecessary test is too many for folks on a budget, unless your insurance or Medicare covers the test. If you were unfortunate enough to find yourself in one of the nation’s top charging hospitals, those fees could jump to over $13,300 for an MRI and $7,600 for an ultrasound (Why). The use of ultrasound will continue to swell because patients would ather undergo procedures that are less invasive and do not expose them to radiation (Diagnostic Medical).
Financial Information Sonographers typically have high pay for the amount of education required. In 2002 $48,660 was the median income annually of a diagnostic medical sonographer (Romanosky). The ten percent of the lowest paid ultrasound technicians earned $35,800. The lowest percent included those just beginning into the field. The highest ten percent made more than $66,680 per year. The median income for sonographers employed in hospitals were $47,530. In medical clinics and offices, ultrasound technicians made roughly $50,390 (Romanosky).
Six years later, in May of 2008, the median income of a diagnostic medical sonographer was $61,980. The wages earned in the middle fifty percent was between $52,570 and $73,680 per year (Editors). The ten lowest percent made less than $43,600. In physicians’ offices sonographers’ income wages were $62,340. While in surgical and general medical hospitals $61,870 was earned (Editors). Five years later in 2013, the average wage annually was $67,170. The top ten percent made $92,070 or more per ear (Faren).
The amount earned each year depends upon what type of certifications, education level, experience and location. The experience and level of education a sonographer has may affect the pay scale. The location and type of employer can also make a difference in the salary of an ultrasound technician. There is usually less pay to those who work in areas that are small or rural (Romanosky). Besides the yearly salary from being a sonographer there are other benefits as well. These include paid vacation, sick pay, personal days, dental and health insurance (Romanosky).