Sonographer Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

In order to provide the best diagnoses and treatment plans for patients that have internal injuries or illnesses, it is necessary for doctors to utilize different types of equipment that will allow them to see inside the body without having to resort to exploratory surgery. In some cases doctors might order an x-ray or an ultrasound, however in many other cases they will ask a sonographer to use their highly sophisticated equipment to create an image of the internal organs using sound waves. Sonographers are professionals that are trained to use these non-ionizing, high frequency sound waves to create videos and images that can be transmitted easily to the supervising doctor. Besides operating the equipment, it is necessary for the sonographer to explain the procedure to the patient and answer any questions they may have about it. It is also not uncommon for sonographers to choose a particular type of patient to work with, such as children, pregnant women or the elderly.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$49,600
Salary Range
$39,400 - $63,100

Work Environment

Although it is most common for sonographers to work in hospitals that have the resources to purchase their special equipment, it is also possible for sonographers to work in private practices, nursing homes and diagnostic imaging centers.

High School Preparation

Those individuals who think that they might enjoy the responsibilities of a sonographer are encouraged to spend their high school career increasing their knowledge of biology, anatomy and diagnostic imaging technology. Supporting courses for this line of work also include chemistry, physics, emergency medical technology, and communications.

Requirements

Those individuals that are already employed in the medical field, perhaps as nurses’ aides or medical assistants might be able to obtain the training they need to become a sonographer right in the hospital or practice that they work at. However, those who wish to enter the field with no prior training are required to enroll in a two or four year program that provides hands on training for sonographic technology.

Career Outlook

As the entire population of the country continues to grow at an exponential rate, there is an increasing need for qualified sonographers to be employed at medical facilities and hospitals. The increase of the aging population, who are more prone to illnesses and injuries, also contributes to the increase in availability of sonographer jobs. Although not all medical facilities will be able to afford the costly equipment needed to perform sonography, advances in medical technology will continue to make it easier for patients to access this diagnostic method. Over the next decade, experts predict that there will be at least thirty percent more jobs in this field.

Professional Organization

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
2745 North Dallas Parkway,
Suite 350
Plano, TX 75093-4706
Phone: (800) 229-9506
www.sdms.org