Personal Narrative: My Interest In Pursuing Sonography

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

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.

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

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

I have always known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be something in the medical field. There was never a doubt about that. It took a lot of thinking to figure out what exactly it was that I wanted to be just because I didn’t want to go to school for too long; because as I have mentioned before I am not a fan of school at all. Just recently I had finally found the right career path. I had decided that I wanted to be a Traveling Sonographer. This is perfect for me because it won’t take me forever to accomplish and I will be able to travel like I’ve always wanted to do. But there is also a deeper reasoning to why I want to be a Sonographer, and I'm going to talk about that in this paper.

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

Diagnostic medical sonographers prepare the imaging machine for the patients and the procedure when necessary. Once they have the images they review the results with the doctor and then help the patient understand the results and go over the procedure if needed. Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers take images of pregnant women and track how the baby grows. Pediatric sonographers work with infants and small children to gain images to help understand a birth defect they may have. They work closely with the pediatricians and the caregivers. Most people believe sonography is just an ultrasound for a baby but it can be for so much more like imaging blood vessels, the heart, and skeletal diseases.

operate as a service provider. From this I will be able to gain a greater understanding of patient care. This collaboration between disciplines and the resulting improvement for the patient was identified by Hill (2006). Since I have started working within the NHS over the last year, I have had more opportunities to work with members of different professions both in the NHS and voluntary sector. This experience has helped me develop a better understanding of how patient care is made up of a multitude of smaller parts.

After alot of reserach, I diecided multispecailty sonography would be a good fit for me. People learn in all different ways and for me it is visualually. To be able to go in and picture problem areas and being to understand and see the problem was

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

Reflecting on the past few days of clinical have been a huge eye opener for myself. Not only was I able to practice and refresh old skills but I was also able to introduce new skills and enhance those. Although only two shifts in, I felt I was able to further develop my experience with Ostomy care. To illustrate, I was able to care for a 60-year-old man who had a newly formed ileostomy on his middle lower quadrant. Throughout the day, we would spend time emptying it, cleaning it and talking about it. Multiple times, D.Z would complain how difficult it was to maneuver, clean and just simply live with. After witnessing his frustrations more then once, it eventually made me realize just how difficult this new adjustment would be for D.Z.

Today, I overheard some terrible news I was going to be looked at through an ultrasound, seems very strange that they didn’t ask if it was ok with me first considering they are checking me out! Yeah, I know a total breach of my privacy and they couldn’t have the decency to check if I was alright with it. I also strangely recall them mentioning about how I was an ovum and that I came from something called an ovary before sliding through the oviduct only to land in the uterus which is something I still can’t understand why I am here. They told my mom that I had been fertilized and was now an embryo after they tried for almost an hour to explain to her what I use to be something called a zygote sadly she still doesn’t understand because she didn’t listen in science or health class when she was in school. I can already tell the horrors await as they start to prep her for the ultrasound.