A diagnostic medical sonographer takes internal images of a patient’s body through machines, which are later diagnosed by a physician. If you are looking forward to a career in the field of diagnostic medical sonography, then it would be a good idea to know about the various duties, which a sonographer performs on the job. It is important to understand the job description of a diagnostic medical sonographer as it will help you a lot to gain vital information about the roles and responsibilities within this position. Using the key skills of a diagnostic medical sonographer, there are eight roles and responsibilities that ultimately get people into the profession.
1. You Get To Talk To The Patients
When you are a diagnostic medical sonographer, you are not hanging out behind the scenes. You are very much a part of the medical diagnostic process because you will be interacting with the patients. The role of a sonographer is technical as well as social. If a patient has some questions before you get started, then he/she will ask you what is going to happen – and it is up to you to answer them and put their fears at bay. The more comfortable a patient is, the more he/she will comply with your instructions. Thus, having good interpersonal skills is important for proper functioning of your job.2. You Work With New Equipment
One of the key skills of a sonographer is to prepare and maintain the imaging equipment that you work with. You will be responsible for the efficient operation of complex machines. Also, technology is always changing. As a sonographer one should be ready to learn about the changes and operate the new machines properly. Hence, being a sharp learner would make you the most sought-after sonographer.3. You’re The First To See It
Since you are the one operating the equipment, you become the first person who gets to see what is going on inside the patient. The images that you take will then be used by the physician or experienced doctor to make a diagnosis. Being at a very close position at the time of the sonography, the doctors may consult you regarding the results while making the diagnosis.4. You Can Deliver The News
One of the most common roles of a sonographer is to work with an OBGYN (obstetrics and gynecology) and look at the fetus. It generally takes around 20 weeks to know the gender of the child. Many couples are anxious to find out whether it is a boy or a girl. You are assigned this special job of telling them whether they have a boy or a girl. Over time, you can also tell them the state of the fetus, like its size, health and weight.5. You Get To Work Hand-in-Hand With A Doctor
You may not be a doctor, but you will get to work with one every day on the job. Doctors are going to tell you what kind of images they need of the patient. After you take them, they are likely to ask you about your observation of the same, what you see in those images, allowing you to help with the diagnosis. This goes on to make your position more respectable and your judgment more valuable.6. You Can Analyze The Images
You have the opportunity to see the sonography technology up close and personal because you will have to analyze the images. You are the one who is going to make a report per your understanding of the images. Thus, it is your reading which is going to assist the doctor in making the right kind of judgment about the patient’s condition.7. You Can Work With Various Doctors
While OBGYNs are the most common doctors to use medical sonography, they are not the only ones. When you are in school, you will learn about anatomy as a whole. Once you graduate, you can work with the variety of doctors including OBGYNs, neurologists, cardiologists and many more. This helps in learning, gaining knowledge while on the job and having a bright and successful career.8.You Need To Maintain Records
You are not only required to take the images but also maintain records of them. These records are kept for the future reference. This profession ensures a secure livelihood. The average salary of a professional is much higher than the median salary in the entire United States. There is a wide scope for growth, both in terms of income and position. Also, more specializations one adds while studying in the school, better starting pay package one can ensure for oneself. The more you know about the job description of a diagnostic medical sonographer, the easier it will be to determine if this is the right career path for you. There are some really pivotal responsibilities, and you have to be prepared for them. If you are, it can be a very rewarding career.
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