What Is a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technologist?
Diagnostic medical sonography technologists use imaging to diagnose ailments. The images are created using sound waves. Sonography is most commonly used to obtain an image of a fetus during pregnancy, but technologists can use it to interpret a variety of conditions.
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About
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Diagnostic medical sonography technologists operate equipment that send high frequency sound waves into parts of your body. The equipment uses reflected echoes to create an image that can then be transmitted, videotaped or photographed. A doctor can then use it to diagnose a condition.
Duties
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Sonographers work with patients prior to procedures to gather medical histories pertinent to the parts of the bodies being examined. Technologists set up equipment and place patients in positions that are most appropriate for viewing.
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Function
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A diagnostic medical sonography technologist usually applies a gel to the patient's skin to allow for sound waves to be transmitted. Once a scan is made, the technologist looks at the image to find unhealthy areas.
Diagnosis
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It's also the technologist's duty to decide which areas on the scan to show to the doctor. He measures the image; he then analyzes the results to create preliminary findings.
Specialties
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Diagnostic medical sonography technologists can specialize in certain disciplines. These include obstetric, gynecological, breast, cardiac, abdominal, or vascular sonography.
Positions
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2008-2009, more than 50 percent of diagnostic medical sonographers work in hospitals. The rest work in doctor's offices, mobile imagine services and laboratories.
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