When you first become interested in a job as a sonography technician you will quickly find a lot of information regarding schooling and training. However, you will also want to find information on the detailed routines of diagnostic medical sonography jobs so that you know better what to expect once you find a job. Learning about detailed routines can also help you make up your mind whether or not the ultrasound technician field is right for you. Below are details on the day-to-day activities you can expect working at any number of diagnostic medical sonography jobs.
Most sonographers work with specialized ultrasound equipment that develops images based on the inside of a patient’s body so that physicians can ultimately make proper medical diagnoses. The ultrasound equipment, also known as a transducer, is placed directly on a patients skin and using sound waves it transmits a picture of the inside of a person’s body to a machine where the technician can view, print, and record the picture.
While a sonographer is obtaining the images they will be expected to accurately record the image so that it can be further analyzed; provide a summary of their findings to the patient’s physician; speaking directly with the patient and helping them understand a general summary of your findings; and being able to work, talk, and receive direction from the physician that you will be working with. Additionally, sonographers should be able to assist with record keeping, image archiving, and general administrative tasks as needed.
In addition to these day-to-day activities sonographers will need to have general characteristics and traits that relate to the jobs responsibilities. Job responsibilities include lifting 50 or more pounds, full range of body movement, standing for the majority of the day, being compassionate, assisting patients, good communication skills, and good organization skills. Ultrasound technicians that have these skills will quickly find that they will become an indispensible part of the medical community in which they work in.
If you are interested in working as an ultrasound technician it is important that you have a good understanding of what is needed and required of you in a hospital and clinic setting. While there will be differences depending on where you choose to work the above responsibilities should be universal for all ultrasound jobs. Once you have finished your schooling and found a job you will quickly find that the above requirements will quickly become your day-to-day experiences.
