A hospital is the usual work environment for a diagnostic medical sonographer. You may perform typical ultrasound procedures, such as those for pregnancy, diseases of the gall bladder or for gynecological procedures. There are sonographers specially trained in the use of mammogram equipment used to detect breast cancer or abnormalities in the mammary glands. When you specialize in one area of this field, you will become a specialist in the hospital in which you work. Usually, a sonographer works a typical 40-hour workweek, but there may be occasions when you are called in for an emergency after hours.
You can meet the requirements of the job as a diagnostic medical sonographer in several ways. You must have college or university training in diagnostic imaging and you usually start off in an entry-level position, such as an X-Ray technologist. Then as you gain more experience and have the education required, either though your courses or continuing education, you can advance to using sonographic equipment for general cases and finally to your area of specialty. The two-year programs from technical colleges are the most common ways of meeting the educational requirements, but you do have to make sure the program you choose has a work term or internship component. This will give you experience working in this environment.
Although you do not require a license to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer, it would be beneficial for you to obtain certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. To obtain this certification, you must pass an exam in the physical principles of laboratory work and in the use of the various instruments. To become certified in a specific area of sonography, you must pass the specific exam for that area of specialty.
One of the requirements of working as a di9agnostic medical sonographer is that you have excellent interpersonal skills. You will be dealing with patients from all walks of life and in varying stages of illness. It is essential that you be able to communicate with them and be able to be compassionate as some of the procedures are painful. Since you will be dealing with patients in varying states of undress, you also need to be very professional in carrying out your duties. For most of the time at work, you will be standing on your feet, so you do need to be physically fit. You will also need to have a full range of motion in your hands and wrists and be capable of assisting patients in getting on and off the examining table.
