Diagnostic Medical Sonography

I want to be part of the Ultrasound program because I realized that where I’m from people don’t consider going into a major like this. I was raised to become a doctor or a nurse it was either of those or your family will be disappointed. I looked at how many doctors and nurses my community has but rarely any ultrasound technicians. I also like to travel to different parts of the world and I would love to have those skills as a ultrasound technician to help those women who are unable to afford to go to a clinic to see if their baby is in good condition. A woman should never have to choose between making a decision about losing her kid, I want to be able to help those women that are struggling daily whether their baby has a health condition or even letting the parents know their baby gender.

My interest in x-rays and ultrasounds led me to pursue a career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

The process of becoming an ultrasound technician can be one that is intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be. With the help of an organization called American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), those seeking to be a sonographer can achieve their goals. Although there are many steps to take, it can be done. This paper will help instruct individuals who wish to go through the sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) examination (Sonography Principles & Instrumentation [SPI], (2015).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a career that falls within the medical and health field. Diagnostic medical sonographers utilize machinery known as sonographic scanners. These scanners create images of the patient's internal organs. There are a few other names that this specific career may be referred to as, which are Ultrasound Tech and/or Medical Imaging. Although though there are advancement possibilities, there are pros and cons about the career. The work environment may be difficult, and differential diagnosis is found within sonography. There is a lot of time and dedication needed as well as important information to know and understand about the career before deciding whether or not this is the chosen path that will be taken. I have decided that DMS is the career I want to be successful in because I have always had the interest of becoming a prenatal sonographer. I love working with people and I also wouldn’t mind being the person that could potentially save someone else’s life by

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

When I entered college I was uncertain of what my career would be. I chose to get my degree in Biology because I knew that it can open my path to many different fields in healthcare. Following the completion of my Bachelor in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, I worked at a medical office and during those times I came across the field of Ultrasound. I was amazed and fascinated by the technology and the sight of a human heart. Echocardiography was created a unique opportunity for me to combine my interest in medicine and technology with concern for others.

I was 20 years old when I had my first myomectomy due to multiple fibroids. After few years, the condition worsened. My major concern at that time was only if my fibroids were shrinking or growing bigger when I would look at the screen during the ultrasound. I was very keen to learn about Diagnostic Sonography to be able to know and help others with the same issue I was suffering from since long. By going through this condition, I felt I could definitely help others.

Sonography is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses the echoes of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of internal organs or body structures. The employment rate is is expected to grow 26 percent from 2014 to 2024. Since ultrasound is non-invasive, it is more encouraged than other methods so the career is always in demand. Diagnostic medical sonographers duties are to prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment, taking a patients medical history, answering questions about the procedure, operating the equipment, review images and test results, know the difference between normal and abnormal images, analyze diagnostic information, record findings, and keep track of patient records. Hospitals, offices of physicians, medical

Dr. Fox is an emergency physician at UCI Medical Center, treating and diagnosing patients using an ultrasound. His scope of research involves looking at patients’ internal organs via ultrasound, which is much quicker and less harmful than using x-ray scans that are traditionally used in emergency departments. He is also a part of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (“Faculty and Staff”). Dr. Fox is also a director of instructional ultrasound and is the assistant dean at the UCI School of Medicine (“John Christian Fox”). He started an ultrasound rotation at the UCI School of Medicine, and with a grant given by SonoSite, Inc., the ultrasound curriculum is now embedded within the UCI School of Medicine curriculum (“Faculty and Staff”). He went to Tufts University School of Medicine, receiving his MD in 1997 (“John Christian Fox”). His main research focus is to try to incorporate ultrasound more into the emergency department, and tries to find revolutionary ways to utilize ultrasound, especially because it is very cost-efficient and images are seen real-time, unlike MRI scans or x-rays, which can emit harmful radiation or results take much longer to acquire. Eric Viquez is one of the Bio 199/EMRAP (Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program) students in Dr. Fox’s ultrasound lab. He is currently a 4th year undergraduate biological sciences major who is going to medical school in the fall; he shadows shifts with Dr. Fox and

The required training and education for entry-level positions in diagnostic medical sonography is generally obtained through an associate’s degree, preferably with an accredited institute. Bachelor’s degrees are also available, as well as one-year certificate programs for professionals expanding their current healthcare degree. Most employers require education from an accredited program because of their allotment for clinical training and studies including medical terminology courses and detailed instruction on interpreting ultrasound images. As discussed previously, students choose a specialized field of sonography to study. Certification is then applied to whichever specialized field has been chosen, such as obstetric and gynecologic sonography, abdominal sonography, breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, neurosonography and cardiovascular sonography. Although the interviewee Wilma Barniak has many modalities, she mentions, “I have fortunately always been able to find employment in Rad/CT or a Cardiac Cath Lab. I would say these are my most useful certifications.” The job market for cardiovascular technologists and vascular technologists is rapidly growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a projection of twenty-nine percent in employment between 2010 and 2020 is expected. The authors of Hot Health Care Careers noted, “This technology is increasingly being used to detect heart attacks and heart and

My interest in Sonography first stemmed from another career interest in computers. I gained my problem solving skills at a young age through using computers. I was able to decipher different codes and morph them into something new. When something went amiss with the computer I would know what procedure to use in order to fix the computer. I loved the feeling of taking something broken and making it full of potential again. However, I knew I wanted to do something more than working with technology. I also had an interest in the medical field. I loved visiting the doctor. I was fascinated how the doctors and nurses could use their problem solving skills as well as their compassion to change someone’s life. I wanted to make a difference in people’s

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

As per the Foothill Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Assessment Form, the skills obtained from the program only come after a lengthy list of prerequisites. This includes the completion of a two- year Allied Health Program in Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Cardiovascular Technology, Registered Nursing, Veterinary Technology or a degree with significant direct patient care experience. In addition to this advanced experience the student also has to have completed college level Human Anatomy, Physiology

A diagnostic medical sonographer utilizes unique imaging machinery to generate images and perform exams. They use ultrasound technology to obtain pictures of tissues and body organs. The career of sonography offers a wide range of specialties from obstetric and gynecologic to neurosonography. Some of the duties of a sonographer include prepare the patients for the procedure and examine the data recorded to give a detailed summary to the physician. Like any other healthcare professional, ultrasound technicians have responsibilities that are listed in the scope of practice (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014).

The ability to see things in black and white with ever evolving research horizon made Pathology very attractive for me as a prospective career. Attention to detail by use of various modern and advanced techniques enabled me to quench my intellectual