What Are the Different Types of Sonographers?

Sonography is a type of diagnostic imaging that helps doctors observe parts of the body to help them evaluate and monitor various health conditions. Often called ultrasound, sonography sends sound waves into the part of the body the doctor wishes to examine. The sonographer's role is to take the images and present them to the doctor or physician, talk with the patient during the imaging session, and help identify abnormalities.

Being a sonographer, sometimes called an ultrasound technician or a diagnostic medical sonographer, is an exciting and fulfilling career. Students can focus on general or specialized sonography. Once students earn their Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certification, they can further their education to specialize in various sonography concentrations.
 

What Is Sonography?

Sonography is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses pulses of high-frequency sound waves to probe tissues, organs, blood vessels, or fetuses. The sonographer moves a hand-held non-invasive probe along the surface of the skin to obtain different views of the object being imaged. The echoes bouncing off the tissue create dynamic and clear visual images that enable the physician to see inside the body.

Ultrasound or sonography provides images in real-time and allows the sonographer to move the machine to immobile patients. Sonography technology doesn't use the harmful ionizing radiation that X-ray machines use, making sonography a safer form of medical imaging.
 

How Did Sonography Develop?

Ultrasound was originally used as a navigational tool in the 1940s when ships navigating the ocean would bounce sound waves off the ocean floor and read the echoes that returned. This technology, called sonar, is still used for scientific exploration of the oceans. In the 1950s and 1960s, doctors began to use sound waves for heart patients.

Today, ultrasound and sonography use advanced technology and sophisticated computers to create dynamic pictures that help doctors view parts of the human body to help with their medical diagnoses.
 

What Is a Sonographer?

A diagnostic medical sonographer has an important role in health care working closely with doctors and other medical professionals to provide images from ultrasound machines and ensure equipment is in proper running condition. Unlike radiologists, a DMS only works with ultrasound rather than radiation-based equipment like X-rays and MRI machines.

Related: Sonography Career Guide: Here's What To Know
 

Types of Sonographers

Although Concorde currently only offers the Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography programs, there's a range of different types of sonographers, such as:

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

A diagnostic medical sonographer, sometimes known as an ultrasound technician, utilizes their education to work with doctors for medical diagnostics. With licensing, certifications, and higher education, an ultrasound technician can specialize in a specific field. A generalized sonographer understands basic human anatomy and medical language, how to use the equipment, write reports, and present the images to the doctor or physician.

Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonographer

Also called echocardiographers, cardio sonographers work with cardiac doctors to help them diagnose heart problems. The equipment uses 2D and 3D images of the heart and its chambers. Physicians look at the structure of the heart and the blood flow to find blockages or deterioration of the heart muscle. Images received help doctors prescribe treatment, surgery, or lifestyle changes to help prevent further damage to the heart.

Neurosonology Sonographer

Neurosonology sonography is very specialized and uses a different type of machine than a regular ultrasound or sonogram. Also called neuroimaging, neurosonography utilizes specialized beam shapes and frequencies from a transcranial Doppler that is unlike traditional obstetric and abdominal sonography machines, as it monitors and measures the blood vessels in the brain.

To obtain a certification as a Neurosonology Sonographer, register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Abdominal Sonographer

A specialized abdominal sonographer works with doctors to image organs within the abdomen. It's important for a sonographer to have knowledge of the abdominal area and the systems within it. Sonographers look for abnormalities, tumors, stones, and tissue damage within internal organs such as the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and abdominal aorta. The doctor looks at the ultrasound images and prescribes treatment based on the findings.

Breast Sonographer

A breast sonographer specializes in breast imaging, which is usually performed as a follow-up to an abnormal mammogram or clinical exam. Ultrasound doesn't detect cancer, but the technician and doctor can see abnormal dark spots in a healthy breast. The breast sonographer looks at nearby lymph nodes for anything unusual. In addition, the technician can use ultrasound equipment to help guide a needle during a biopsy or to remove fluid from a cyst.

Obstetric Sonographer

An obstetric sonographer specializes in imaging the fetus in the womb. They look for normal growth and development and any abnormalities or pregnancy complications. The sonographer's role is to help ensure the fetus and mother are healthy. The technician verifies that the woman is pregnant, checks for the position of the growing fetus, and can help to determine the due date.

Musculoskeletal Sonographer

A musculoskeletal sonographer takes images of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints throughout the body. These images are helpful when looking for joint issues and soft-tissue damage. The physician uses the images to look for damage, such as sprains, strains, trapped nerves, arthritis, cysts, inflammation, and other musculoskeletal conditions and abnormalities.
 

Sonographer Responsibilities

A sonographer should develop rapport with patients while displaying confidence and professionalism. After preparing the patient for a procedure, the technician explains each step.

Once the patient is ready for their ultrasound, the technician applies a conductive gel to the skin where the image will be taken. The technician then moves the probe, sending sound waves through the body. The ultrasound machine sends the sound waves to the visual display so the technician can see the image. They record the findings in the patient's file and submit the images and analysis to the physician. Of course, the exact processes might differ depending on the site, doctor, and method taught.
 

Sonographer Education and Training

Concorde offers the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Program that can help students achieve their goals in as little as 20 months. Overall, there are several different pathways to becoming a DMS:

• A two-year associate degree specializing in diagnostic medical sonography.
• A four-year bachelor's degree for more advanced and specialty niches or management positions.
• One-year certifications for individuals working in the field and already holding an associate or bachelor's degree.

While not all states require certifications, most employers prefer technicians to have a certification. Acquiring one gives the technician a competitive advantage. Students looking to pursue their sonography education at Concorde can focus on obtaining their Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or Cardiovascualar Sonography certification.

Related: How to become a cardiac sonographer.
 

Sonographer Skills

A DMS learns the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill the job requirements of the role. Some of these may include:

• Active listening: Patients will have questions about the procedure and process of medical imaging. It's essential that ultrasound technicians fully understand what they are doing and be able to respond to patients' questions.
• High-quality communication: Undergoing an ultrasound may be confusing and frightening to the patient. Carefully explaining each step of the process can help to calm them and give them the confidence that the technician is competent in their field.
• Good bedside manner: While the technician's job is to take clear images with the ultrasound machine, developing empathy skills is important.
• Excellent comprehension: It's important that the sonographer comprehend the medical terminology in the doctor's written report and be able to write detailed reports specific to the patient and the diagnoses.
• Highly developed observation: With training and experience, the diagnostic medical sonographer will learn to spot abnormalities, such as torn tendons or blocked arteries.

Related: Earn an Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
 

Sonographer Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% to 14% increase in jobs for sonographers between 2022 and 2032. With new imaging technology emerging, invasive and dangerous imaging procedures are being replaced with safer ultrasounds. This may mean earning a certificate or degree in sonography could lead to a rewarding career. Contact Concorde for more information about pursuing this exciting field of health care.