Olyvia Causie

Career Research-Cardiac Sonographer When people usually think of an ultrasound, they probably think of the medical technology used to see images of a baby during pregnancy. But actually ultrasound exams are also used to take images of many different parts of the body. The images produced by these exams are used by doctors to detect and assess a wide range of medical conditions. These people are specializing in ultrasound like cardiac sonography. Cardiac sonographers are technologists who use ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels. They use ultrasound equipment to create images called echocardiograms. An echocardiogram may be performed while the patient is either resting or physically active. Technologists may administer medication to physically active patients to measure their heart function. Cardiac sonographers also may assist physicians who perform transesophageal echocardiography, which involves placing a tube in the patients esophagus to obtain ultrasound images. Before beginning an ultrasound exam, sonographers review their patients medical files, including information about any previous tests. They also explain the procedure to the patient, making sure he or she understands exactly what will happen. Next, the sonographer positions the patient on the examination table, and spreads gel over the area of the body to be examined. Once this preparation is complete, the sonographer uses specialized equipment to capture the images. Sonographers need to get the best images possible to do the best job and get the best results. To do this, they may need to change the position of the patient or adjust settings on the computer. Once they are happy with the images shown on the screen,

Olyvia Causie

sonographers make notes about what they see. For example, they may take measurements or make note of a fluid build-up. The captured images are recorded and stored by the sonographer. When the exam is complete, sonographers select the images to be shown to the radiologist, who interprets the results and makes a diagnosis. Ultrasound images are used to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and abdominal problems. They also help doctors monitor pregnancies. Sonographers are often required to write reports for doctors to read, in which they present the findings of the ultrasound. Other duties performed by diagnostic medical sonographers include updating and maintaining patients records, scheduling appointments, and cleaning their equipment. The work setting for a cardiac sonographer is usually clinic and hospital settings. A cardiac sonographer also may travel to smaller clinics and hospitals in the surrounding region. For a regular day shift of a sonographer is usually from 7:30 a.m. until about 4:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with some overtime Monday through Friday. On-call rotation several times per year for one week at a time is mostly what you will have to do. Cardiac sonographers work on average about 40 hours a week. Sonographers work a lot of the time is physically and mentally demanding. Equipment and anxious patients can be difficult to deal with. Sonographers earnings vary depending on their employer, the amount of experience they have, whether or not they have specialized, and their geographic location. The highest salaries are often earned by experienced sonographers who have specialized in one or more different areas. In general, sonographers can earn anywhere from $44,000 to $86,000 a year.

Olyvia Causie

The median annual income for sonographers is about $63,000. In addition to a salary, full-time sonographers usually receive benefits. Depending on the employer, these benefits may include vacation and sick pay, medical insurance, and a pension plan. For sonographers in the state of Michigan, just starting out, the hourly wage is around $24.38 and the annual wage is about $50,710. For experienced sonographers the hourly wage is around $31.65 and the annual wage is around $65,820. Successful completion of an accredited cardiac ultrasound program or a minimum of two years' recent experience in cardiac sonography is necessary for education and training requirements. Also, basic life support training is mandatory, as is registration in the field of cardiac sonography. Theres a lot more to being a sonographer than just the education. It takes a lot of physical strength also. Moving heavy equipment around and also patients can really put a strain on someone. There are also personal characteristics that are required for someone to be successful in this job. A sonographer must have spatial reasoning because you have to mentally relate 3D anatomy to 2D images. Critical thinking is important because you must be able to make accurate and independent judgments. Good communication skills are needed because sonographers communicate and interact with patients, radiologists, and co-workers. Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists is projected to grow 39 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. With the skills a sonographer acquires, you could go on to teach ultrasound, become a chief technologist of a department, or demonstrate ultrasound machines for companies.

Olyvia Causie

Theres a lot more to ultrasound than just figuring out if youre having a boy or a girl. Sonographers need to be able to clearly explain procedures to patients and make them as comfortable as possible. As a result, strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential in this profession. Teamwork is important as well. In addition, sonographers need good upper body strength in order to lift and move patients. Manual agility and hand-eye coordination are also important. Sonographers should have good problem-solving skills, and the ability to pay attention to detail.