Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
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.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
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.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $53K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $63K
Median Salary: $75K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $90K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $105K
Demand
Core Tasks
Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
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.
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
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).
Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
91%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
82%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Physics
75%
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Medicine and Dentistry
72%
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Clerical
67%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Computers and Electronics
65%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Psychology
65%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Education and Training
64%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security
59%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics
58%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
78%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
75%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness
75%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking
75%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
70%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
70%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning
68%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management
68%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination
65%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Science
65%
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
78%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
78%
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.
Written Comprehension
78%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
75%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
73%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
70%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
70%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Inductive Reasoning
70%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Top 10 Work Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others
86%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Getting Information
85%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Documenting/Recording Information
83%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
83%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interacting With Computers
80%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
79%
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
77%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
76%
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Detailed Work Activities
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.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Gather medical information from patient histories.
Record patient medical histories.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Repair medical facility equipment.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Maintain medical facility records.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Train medical providers.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Treat medical emergencies.
Implement advanced life support techniques.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Prepare official health documents or records.
Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Education
Interests
Investigative
86%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
81%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic
77%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
48%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
39%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
24%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
97%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
97%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
94%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
94%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others
93%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
93%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Stress Tolerance
92%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Self Control
91%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
89%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Initiative
89%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Values
Relationships
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement
72%
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
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
