What Are the Best Sonographer Jobs?
With the many advances in diagnostic imaging, you'll find that there are a wealth of career options for those desiring a job as a medical sonographer. Using sound waves to generate an image, sonography and ultrasonography are commonly thought of as a tool used on pregnant women. However, in modern diagnostics there are many uses for sonography in the detection and treatment of different medical conditions above and beyond pregnancy. Diagnostic medical sonographer jobs are expected to grow faster than average in the upcoming years, and the best sonographer job for you is the one that meshes best with your interests and career aspirations.
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Obstetric and Gynecological Sonographers
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Often the most frequently thought of sonographer job, an OB/GYN sonographer specializes in imaging women's reproductive systems. Commonly used during pregnancy, these sonographers create images of the developing fetus in order to track its growth, development and overall health. They also provide images of the reproductive system in order to help diagnose issues such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
While it may seem like working as an OB/GYN sonographer would involve lots of idyllic happy interactions with patients, it's important to remember that normally progressing pregnancies are only part of the job. There will also be diseases, disorders and families who are devastated by what your images show. This is not the "happy" branch of medical diagnostics some may envision.
Abdominal Sonographers
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Abdominal sonographers produce images of a patient's abdominal cavity in order to help diagnose and treat disorders of the internal organs (gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen). They also may create images of the male reproductive system as needed. Abdominal sonography is considered a specialty and requires certification in some states.
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Neurosonographers
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Neurosonographers concentrate on the nervous system, especially the spinal column and the brain. Similarly to other sonographers, neurosonographers use transducers to produce images but the frequencies and beam shapes differ from those used by obstetric and abdominal sonographers. Neurosonography is a specialty that often requires additional education and certification. A sub-specialty of neurosonography is neonatal neurosonography, which involves helping to diagnose nervous system and neurological disorders in infants, especially those born prematurely.
Neurosonographers do need to be prepared to work with patients who may be suffering from a chronic illness or under stress.
Breast Sonographers
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Breast sonographers use diagnostic imaging to study breast tissue and work alongside mammography to detect breast cancer. Breast sonography also is used to track tumors and assess their blood supplies and assist with breast tissue biopsy. Breast sonographers use a specific kind of high-frequency transducer that is made especially for the study of breast tissue. Breast sonography is another specialty that may require certification in some states.
Vascular Sonographer
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On the cutting edge of medical diagnostics is vascular sonography, which is used to study disorders of the veins and arteries, excepting those of the heart. Vascular sonographers work to diagnose blockages and prevent strokes, discover weaknesses and prevent aneurysms and generally discover and treat vascular disorders. With the impending aging of the baby boomer generation, vascular sonographers are likely to find a wealth of career opportunities.
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