Working in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diagnostic medical sonography is a growing healthcare field with high earning potential. Sonographers, commonly known as ultrasound technicians, work across medical fields, using special equipment to take images of patients’ organs and tissues to help doctors determine diagnoses and provide treatments.
Read on to learn about diagnostic medical sonography, including what sonographers do, their potential specialties and workplaces, pay potential, and more.
What Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do
Diagnostic medical sonographers, often called “sonographers,” use ultrasounds to provide images of a patient’s internal organs and soft tissues. They can prepare a patient for their ultrasound, summarize the procedure for the doctor, or help guide a doctor during a procedure. (Note that “ultrasound” is the name of the procedure; “sonogram” is the resulting image.)
Despite being able to recognize when the images are concerning, sonographers can’t tell patients about any possible results.
In general, ultrasounds are divided into three categories:
- Prenatal/pregnancy/obstetric: Confirms pregnancy and monitors the fetus
- Diagnostic: Looks at various parts of the body to determine the cause of symptoms; can be on the skin or transvaginal
- Guidance for Procedures: Allows a higher level of precision during procedures like obtaining fluid or tissue samples
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Blue Cliff College provides training in all three areas.
There are seven general specialties within diagnostic medical sonography. An ultrasound tech or sonographer will often begin to specialize in one or multiple areas of sonography.
Abdominal Sonography
Abdominal sonographers image organs in and near the abdominal cavity and help with relevant procedures that need additional imaging.
Breast Sonography
Breast sonographers image breast tissue, often to confirm the existence of tumors or cysts found by other means. Those in this specialty may work in oncology facilities, helping monitor tumor changes, or they may work in routine diagnostic facilities. A breast ultrasound is not the same as a mammogram – mammograms with red flags or that require additional screening frequently result in an order to have an ultrasound.
Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography)
Echocardiographers use ultrasounds to create images of a patient’s heart. They might also provide fetal heart imaging.
Musculoskeletal Sonography
Musculoskeletal sonographers image muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints and help guide doctors during surgeries or injections.
Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography
Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers provide imaging services to those needing pictures of the female reproductive system. In this specialty, diagnostic medical sonographers use both external and transvaginal ultrasounds.
Pediatric Sonography
Pediatric sonographers work with babies and children. Many of their patients may have been premature or have birth defects, but not necessarily – kids may need an ultrasound for all sorts of reasons.
Vascular Sonography
Vascular sonographers, also called vascular technologists, image blood vessels. They help doctors determine why there are problems with blood flow, blood clots, or blocked arteries.
Where Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Work
Medical facilities of all stripes may employ diagnostic medical sonographers or ultrasound techs. Most work in hospitals, but you can also find them in primary care and specialist offices, diagnostic laboratories, and outpatient care centers.
Some of the places where sonographers work are open 24/7, and others are open during traditional business hours. In this field, you might be able to find a workplace that fits your lifestyle whether you need to work days or nights, weekdays or weekends.
How Much Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Earn
As of 2023, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median salary of $84,470 per year. The amount you can earn may partly depend on how long you’ve been in the field, your chosen specialty, and the type of facility you work in.
Sonographers who work in outpatient care centers have the highest median salary at $122,380 as of 2023. Those in medical and diagnostic labs make the lowest median at $81,330. The median pay across all occupations is under $50,000 annually, making this a high-paying job.
Job Demand for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The number of diagnostic medical sonographer job openings is expected to rise by 15% between 2023 and 2033. That rate is even higher in Mississippi, with an anticipated growth of 18% between 2020 and 2030.
Is a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Career Right for Me?
Working as a diagnostic medical sonographer may be right for you if you have excellent communication skills, a steady hand, and an eye for detail. Physical stamina is also essential, as you might have to stand for long periods and help move patients as needed.
Career Services at Blue Cliff College
At Blue Cliff College, we offer career services that support our mission and philosophy or “Commitment… Competency… Career.” Just some of the help, guidance, and tips we can offer are in the following areas:
- Career counseling
- Interview techniques
- Job lead generation
- Job market research
- Resume writing and reviewing
- Skills marketing
- …and more
Although offering the above-mentioned assistance, Blue Cliff College specifically disclaims any guarantee of job placement for the student upon graduation. Learn more about Blue Cliff College’s career services
Starting Your Diagnostic Medical Sonography Career at Blue Cliff College
You can begin your career as a sonographer by completing Blue Cliff College’s associate degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Graduates of this 19-month program can go on to get their certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARMDS).
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