Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Job Description
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use diagnostic imaging which embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing ailments.
Primary Objectives:
- The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use the X-Ray machine to help with diagnosing ailments.
- The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers also use the magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
- The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is knowledgeable in using Sonography or Ultrasonography which is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.
- The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers may train in hospitals, vocational-technical institution, colleges and universities, and the Armed Forces. Most employers prefer hiring those who have trained in accredited programs and who are registered.
Sonography commonly is associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer knows that this equipment has many other applications in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions throughout the body. Diagnostic medical Sonographers use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer begins by explaining the procedure to the patient and recording any medical history that may be relevant to the condition being viewed. They then select appropriate equipment settings and direct the patient to move into positions that will provide the best view. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer must use a transducer in order to perform the exam. The transducer transmits sound waves in a cone-or rectangle-shaped beam. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer usually spreads a special gel on the skin to aid the transmission of sound waves.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer must be viewing the screen during the scan, the Sonographers look for subtle visual cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. They must then decide whether the images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and select which ones to store and show to the physician. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer take measurements, calculate values, and analyze the results in preliminary findings for the physicians.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer works directly with the patient keep the patients records and adjusts and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment purchases, or manage a Sonography or diagnostic imaging department. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers may specialize in Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer may work more with the female reproductive system or the Abdominal Sonography may concentrate on the liver, kidneys, gall bladder, spleen, and pancreas. The Neurosonography checks the brain or breast. Sonographers may specialize in vascular Sonography or Cardiac Sonography. The Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonographers specialize in the imaging of the female reproductive system. One of the most well-know uses of Sonography by a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is the examining of the fetus of a pregnant women to track the baby’s growth and health. While the Abdominal Diagnostic Medical Sonographer inspects a patients abdominal cavity to help diagnose and treat conditions primarily involving the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and male reproductive system. The Abdominal Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is also able to scan parts of the chest but normally the studies of the heart are done mostly by echo cardiographers.
The Neurosonographers focus on the nervous system, including the brain. In neonatal care, Neurosonographers study and diagnose neurological and nervous system disorder in premature infants. They also may scan blood vessels to check for abnormalities indicating a stroke in infants diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia. The Neurosonographers is much like the Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in that they use transducers to perform the sonogram, but use frequencies and beam shapes different from those used by obstetric and abdominal Sonographers. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographers who are Breast Sonographers use Sonography to study diseases of the breasts, Sonography aids mammography in the detection of breast cancer. Breast Sonography can also track tumors, blood supply conditions, and assist in the accurate biopsy of breast tissue. Breast Sonographers use high frequency transducers, made exclusively to study breast tissue. Breast Cancer has proven to be one of the top killers of women today. Even though it does not normally affect men there are cases in which men have gotten breast cancer. The purpose of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographers has been t help find and element ailments before they can become dangerous to the patients.