Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Become A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers are skilled healthcare professionals. Sonographers are not physicians, but instead are trained professionals who specialize in sonography. They use a sonogram machine and a transducer to transmit sound waves, which create a picture of a patient’s internal organs and tissue. This picture is used to diagnose whether or not a patient is healthy. The procedure is commonly referred to as an ultrasound and is also used to monitor pregnancy and determine baby gender.


Instructions


1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED. It is a requirement for beginning a sonography training program.


2. Enroll in a diagnostic medical sonography training program. Training programs range in length from one year to four years. However, the two year associate’s program is the most common. Be sure the program you choose is certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).


3. Choose a specialty. You can specialize in echocardiography or obstetrics as well as ophthalmology or neurosonology. There are many other options as well, but it is a good idea to choose an area of focus for when you begin your job search.


4. Possess excellent personal skills because you will be working directly with the public as a sonographer. You will also need to be compassionate because many times you will be dealing with ill patients who are possibly scared and in pain.


5. Decide whether you would prefer working in a hospital or clinic. You may also decide to work in a laboratory or pursue a career teaching sonography to students in the field. There are many opportunities available for a diagnostic medical sonographer.







Tags: sonography training, sonography training program, There many, training program