Going to the doctor for an imaging exam can be a daunting experience. Being armed with a prior knowledge of the professionals who will be giving it can set the mind at ease. There are several different types of healthcare professionals who are qualified to perform the exam. Professionals who have had at least two years of formal, educational training are qualified to give diagnostic imaging exams.
A radiologist has specialized in diagnostic imaging. After spending four or more years obtaining their M.D degree, radiologists spend an additional four or more years learning additional skills. They also must pass examinations to become certified by the American Board of Radiology.
A Technologist is another healthcare professional who is specifically
Diagnostic medical sonographers play a key role in the health care team and often work alongside doctors, nurses, and other technologists. They prepare patients by explaining the procedure and collect necessary patient history information prior to examination. An ultrasound is then performed, which is a non-invasive process that enables sonographers to send high-frequency sound waves into the body. The return signals are then analyzed to help visualize internal organs in 2D, 3D or 4D. These images help physicians with medical diagnoses and are also used for monitoring pregnancy. An ultrasound is often executed on many different areas of the body including the abdomen, pelvis, tissues, and vascular and cardiac systems. A DMS may also be required
Pursuing an education is important when it comes to being successful at a career. To become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, it is essential to graduate high school and college, taking all the required classes that are necessary. High school classes that are most beneficial to students wanting to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer are classes in anatomy, physiology, and physics (Kriegh, Chaylene). To become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, a college degree is needed. It usually takes four to six years to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sonography (Hiltgen, Lisa). The first two years of college are focused on completing an associate’s degree in an ultrasound program to attain an Allied-Health Associates degree. The completion of
One of the main reasons for choosing a healthcare career in todays society, aside from the basic need for a self sustaining income, is the opportunity to make differences in peoples lives. With the demand for healthcare professionals and alternative medicines on the rise, so is the need for adequately educated trained personnel. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Accounting for approximately 50,300 jobs in the United States in 2008, compared to the 214,000 jobs held by radiologic technicians, according to
Diagnostic medical sonographers who are also known as ultrasound technologists, play a very pivotal role in the health industry. Sonographers use specialized 3D imaging machines to generate images of internal body organs and structures which works hand-in-hand with doctors in gathering the necessary data needed for a diagnosis (Reece & Hobbins, 2007). Diagnostic medical sonography has many different branches you may pursue such as obstetrics/gynecology, breast sonography, cardiovascular sonography, and abdominal sonography to name a few (Brent, Jensh, & Beckman, 1991). The limits of authority and legislated scope of practice for sonographers has recently been revised in May 2013 by sixteen representatives from multiple sonography organizations throughout the country (2016). A diagnostic medical sonographer must be a qualified individual who is academically credited as well as clinically skilled before they begin to practice. Affirmation, demonstration, continuing education as well as re-certification from a nationally accredited organization is required for every sonographer (2016).
The Diagnostic Sonography can vary from one to four years depending on schooling and experience. There are vocational colleges that offer the program in as little as 16 months. The majority of the schools require the same background in basic science, algebra and general physics. The students must be able to demonstrate the capacity to pass all these requirements before they can commence on their actual diagnostic training. Once training has been fulfilled, a Diagnostic Medical Sonographers can achieve a job in a hospital, clinics public or private. On an average, a Diagnostic Sonographer can work a full time job that consists of forty hours a week. Some sonographers work evening and weekends as well. Just like a regular doctor, a Sonographist can
To achieve my goal to attend Johnston Community College’s Medical Sonography program I have to start by completing an application for general college admission. After completing the admission process I will then have to start on my classes that are required for me to be accepted into the program. Once I fit the requirements for the program I will then I will then I will sign up for the Medical Sonography program, which should take about two years. To successfully reach my goal I may have to cut back on the hours that I take at my part time jobs. At the moment I have a lot of free time which allows me to have two job, once I begin working on my goal I expect to be forced to either quit one of my jobs or to cut back on my hours.
The education for this career is really simple and easy. You need to have a formal education, and an associates degree or just a certificate of a training program. but many of the employers also require a professional certification. It may also depend on what kind of degree you want it will depend on how many years you will like to get profession in this career but, to get the profession of being a sonographer it will take at least one year or two, you can go for four years if you want a master’s degree. Which will be great because you will get paid more.
Do you know your dream job? Do you know the job market? “The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts Diagnostic Sonography employment growth of a whopping 46 percent between 2012 and 2022, which is among the fastest rates on our list of best jobs in 2015.” Diagnostic Sonography is a type of medical imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves, also known as ultrasound, to produce images of organs, tissues, and blood flow. They are many different types of Sonography majors that can interest you. Their is Abdominal Sonography, Breast Sonography, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Neuro-Sonography, Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography, Vascular and Cardiovascular Sonography. Abdominal Sonography takes images of patient’s abdominal cavities and organs. Breast Sonography scans patient’s breast tissues to see if they have cancer or tumor. Musculoskeletal Sonography takes images of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint in patients. Neuro-Sonography scans the nervous system and brain. Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography takes images of women’s reproductive organs and track down babies’ health. There is a wide range of jobs for a sonographers. However, in order to become a Diagnostic sonographer, they are many steps that you need to acknowledge. Becoming a diagnostic sonographer requires an associates degree, requires compassion and communication skills, and physical strength.
Candidates for registered diagnostic medical sonographer must pass two exams. One exam being the ultrasound physics and instrumentation exam and the second being a special exam in obstetrics and gynecology, abdomen, neurosonology or ophthalmology. With the completion of the courses and exams, a student can then become certified with either an associate's or bachelor's degree. All of these specific courses and requirements can be completed at vocational programs, community colleges as well as private training centers. For those who may already obtain a job in a hospital and are interested in being a sonographer, training on the job is available, as many medical facilities do have the accredited programs for certification in this
One must graduate high school, receive an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in the field of sonography or radiologic technology, and then participate in a sonography program, which is offered at most universities. Few states require that one get a license to practice sonography, but at least sonography certification is required by most
Medical sonographers’ scope of practice indicates that all professionals in this field must be educationally prepared and must have all the certifications and credentials from accredited schools. It also states that sonographers are entrust agents of doctors and they can’t practice independently. One of the responsibilities of a sonographer is to evaluate patients’ information, like confirming their identification and assure that the procedure that the patient will receive is the one that the physician indicated. Also they are accountable for the performing of a suitable examination, applying the correct protocol, evaluating and documenting the results of the ultrasound and deliver excellent quality of care to patients. Diagnostic medical sonographers must also maintain their license and certifications updated and collaborate with the
The Radiologist is the physician who interprets images from the ultrasound and transmits these results to the requesting physician, in this case, the Gastroenterologist.
A diagnostic medical sonographer only requires a two-year associate’s degree (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Overview, U.S. News Careers, 2014).
Radiology is the branch of medicine that uses radiation to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists perform and read multiple modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The acquisition of medical imaging is usually carried out by the radiographer or radiologic technologist. Below are a few brief descriptions of each imaging modality: (MITA, 2015) X-Ray- Radiographs are produced by the photons of x-rays passing through a body part to an imaging plate to produce an image. Originally cassettes were used that had crystals imbedded into the film and were processed with chemicals.
“Is there a way to combine all of the medical imaging devices to create a complete and thorough representation of the body?” This question dogged my mind during the time between the end of high school and the first year of my undergraduate study. This question also fueled my interest in the field of medical imaging; which in turn, assisted me in determining the direction my undergraduate courses and research topics would lead. Because of the endless possibilities in the field of medical imaging, research in this field is both diverse and fascinating. Of particular interest to me in this field is the research and development of medical imaging devices and software to better represent the body.