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| Median Wage (USD, 2024) | Projected Job Openings (2023-2033) | Projected Growth (2023-2033) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Statistics | $89,340 | 5700 | 15.1% |
| State Statistics | - | - | - |
| City Statistics | - | - | - |
Experience Requirements Overview
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education, Training and Experience
Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Detailed Work Activities
- Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
- Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
- Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Recognition
Relationships
Support
Independence
Tasks
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
- Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
- Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
- Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
- Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
- Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
- Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
- Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
- Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
- Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.
- Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
- Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
- Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
- Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
Work Styles
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
Initiative
Leadership
Cooperation
Concern for Others
Social Orientation
Self-Control
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Independence
Innovation
Analytical Thinking
For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/technologists-and-technicians/diagnostic-medical-sonographer/
Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.