Ultrasound scanners are one type of equipment used by sonographers.
The field of diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job opportunities for this field will increase 18 percent from 2008 to 2018. The terms ultrasound tech, sonography tech and sonographer are interchangeable and all refer to the health care professional who practices diagnostic medical sonography.
Duties
Sonographers use equipment to send sound waves through a patient's body. The sound waves generate ultrasound images that physicians interpret to diagnose medical conditions. Other duties can include maintaining patient records, preparation of work schedules and evaluation of equipment purchases.
Education
Institutions that provide training programs for sonographers include hospitals, vocational schools, community colleges and universities. Programs can vary in length from one to four years. Once students graduate from a program, they are eligible to become registered sonographers through credentialing organizations.
Specialties
An ultrasound technician can specialize in several areas including obstetric, abdominal and neuro-sonography. An obstetric sonographer performs one of the best known ultrasound procedures-generating images of a fetus during pregnancy.
Tags: diagnostic medical, diagnostic medical sonography, medical sonography, sound waves
