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UltraSound Technician Working Conditions Ultrasound is the practice of using sound waves to develop an image of areas within a patient’s body. Ultrasound procedures are considered much safer than alternative methods (such as X-rays and MRIs). Ultrasound technicians work with patients to get them comfortable, get the patient in the right position, spread a conducting gel on the appropriate areas of the patient, and then use the ultrasound equipment to obtain the desired images. The ultrasound technician then looks at the resulting images to find those that show the potential problem areas within the patient. The ultrasound technician then decides which images to show to the doctor, who makes the final diagnosis, or asks for more tests to be done. Ultrasound technicians (also known as sonographers, or diagnostic ultrasound sonographers) require good communication skills because they must be able to explain the procedure and the results to their patients, while keeping them relaxed and comfortable. Ultrasound technicians must also have the mathematical and scientific skills necessary to analyze the results and come up with a diagnosis. Sonographers specialize advanced practices
areas such as obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal sonography, neurosonography
(the brain), vascsular technology, echocardiography or ophthalmologic
sonography. |