Diagnostic Medical Sonographers assist doctors in diagnosing patients through a process of using sound waves to generate diagnostic images, an alternative to x-rays and other radiation based imaging technologies. Sonogrophers interact with patients, explaining the procedure to them. The most well-known use of this technology is when taking images of a developing baby in a mother’s womb.
There are a number of specialties that a Sonogropher may choose, gynecologic sonography (taking images of the female reproductive system, including sonograms of developing babies), abdominal sonogrophy (taking images of organs in the stomach area such as the liver and kidneys), neurosonogrophy (taking images of the nervous system and brain), and breast sonogrophy (taking images of breast tissue including detection and tracking of breast cancer).
To become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer it is important to receive formal training from an accredited program that awards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. There are other methods, but employers prefer candidates who have received training from accredited institutions. Take a look at the programs offered in many locations to take the first steps to becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.