Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

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Career Profile
Sonographers, also called ultrasound technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers, use ultrasound high frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body tissues to help a physician diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions such as heart disease, pregnancy and cancer.

 

Working directly with patients, sonographers explain the procedure to patients, operate the machine, gather and record patient histories, process and analyze diagnostic sonographic data, and provide a summary of findings to physicians for diagnosis. Many sonographers also assist in patient scheduling, record keeping and computerized image archiving.

Sonographers work in hospitals, clinics, and private offices.

 

Job Outlook

• Regional Employment 2000: 90
• Projected Regional Employment 2010: 120
• Absolute Change 2000 - 2010: 30
• Percent Change 2000 - 2010: 33.30%
• Average Hourly Wage 2000: $21.43
• Average Openings per year due to Replacement: 0
• Average Openings per year due to Growth: 3

 

Salary
Sonographer positions have an average starting salary of $19.00/hr.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

 

Disqualifiers/Barriers

• Must submit to a criminal background check.
• Felony and misdemeanor offenses are carefully scrutinized.

Important Skills

• Visual acuity to discern sonographic details/colors on a video monitor/film
• Good auditory acuity· Ability to see and function in semi-dark settings
• Effective verbal and writing skills
• Physical ability to lift and move patients
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to withstand a physically and emotionally taxing workload

Important Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep the hand and arm steady while making an arm movement or while holding the arm and hand in one position
• Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
• Near Vision -- The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer)

 

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

 

Educational Programs
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree at Austin Community College.

 

Certification
Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the student is eligible to take examinations for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification in Abdominal and OB/GYN specialties. This program is nationally accredited through the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

 

Length of Training/Requirements
Once prerequisite coursework is completed, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography training at ACC consists of a 2-year associates degree program. The curriculum consists of classroom, laboratory and clinical internship training.

 

Location of Classes
Lectures and labs are held at an ACC campus. The required clinical training is scheduled in local healthcare providers.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

 

St. David HealthCare Partnership
900 East 30th Street,Suite 109
Austin, Texas
512-397-4000
www.sdhcp.com

 

Seton HealthCare Network
W. 38th1/2 Street
Austin, Texas
www.seton.org

 

City of Austin