What does a diagnostic medical sonographer do?
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses ultrasound high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body tissues. Some typical duties include preparing patients, explaining the exams, and reporting the results to the patients or a physician.
Diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diagnostic medical sonographer resumes:
- Document studies in PACS and manage exams electronically.
- Register by ARDMS in abdomen, OB/GYN, breast, neuro, and RVT (vascular).
- Maintain the ultrasound room cleanliness.
- Maintain cleanliness of the sonography rooms.
- Perform duties for department QA, revenue/statistics, patient record keeping.
- Perform abdominal, small part, obstetrics, gynecological, DVT, and carotid ultrasounds.
- Perform diagnostic ultrasound for abdominal, pelvic, breast, thyroid, prostate, scrotal and neonatal head.
- Perform ultrasound exams abdominal, obstetrical (all trimesters), pelvic, trans-vaginal, thyroid, and testes.
- Interact effectively with each patient, offering compassion and comfort to ease patient anxieties and increase comfort during high-stress situations.
- Complete orders by physicians from various rehabilitation centers, hospitals, professional sports franchises, and other health care facilities.
- Perform mammography and mammography QA.
- Communicate ultrasound findings to radiology team.
- Full sonographer time mobile for senior homes and rehabilitation facilities
- Mentore radiology team members in performing ultrasound examinations and recording data.
- Perform pediatric echocardiogram on infants through adults with congenital heart disease.
Diagnostic medical sonographer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are proficient in Patients, ARDMS, and Patient Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Hand-eye coordination, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 19%
Performed non-invasive ultrasounds for patients with vascular & arterial disease * Reviewed patient history & previous exams to accurately perform the study
- ARDMS, 11%
Performed Diagnostic Ultrasound Examinations in busy Clinical setting under ARDMS Registered mentor and Dept.
- Patient Care, 7%
Demonstrated excellent patient care with personal touch.-Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with the radiologist and ordering physicians.
- OB-GYN, 6%
Performed over 38 different ultrasound studies including Abdomen, OB-GYN, Vascular, Pediatric and Invasive procedures.
- Abdomen, 6%
Gained knowledge and scanning experience in the vast area of full abdomen ultrasound including pelvis, thyroid, and vascular examinations.
- Ultrasound Procedures, 5%
Perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures independently at a professional level that include abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, thyroid, and scrotal.
Most diagnostic medical sonographers use their skills in "patients," "ardms," and "patient care" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a diagnostic medical sonographer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients." Additionally, a diagnostic medical sonographer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "perform detailed anatomy surveys, nuchal translucency exams, and assist doctor with cvs procedures and amniocentesis'. "
Hand-eye coordination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling diagnostic medical sonographer duties is hand-eye coordination. The role rewards competence in this skill because "to get quality images, diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen." According to a diagnostic medical sonographer resume, here's how diagnostic medical sonographers can utilize hand-eye coordination in their job responsibilities: "maintain effective organizational and communication skills with other healthcare professionals to ensure timely coordination of patient care. "
Physical stamina. A big part of what diagnostic medical sonographers do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical diagnostic medical sonographer tasks: "assisted doctors during visits with patients during their physical examinations. "
Technical skills. Another common skill required for diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities is "technical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of diagnostic medical sonographers all the time, as "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments." An excerpt from a real diagnostic medical sonographer resume shows how this skill is central to what a diagnostic medical sonographer does: "prepared the preliminary sonographer reports and assessed the technical quality and completeness of ultrasounds performed. "
The three companies that hire the most diagnostic medical sonographers are:
- Med Travelers55 diagnostic medical sonographers jobs
- Sinai Chicago39 diagnostic medical sonographers jobs
- Sanford Health33 diagnostic medical sonographers jobs
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Compare different diagnostic medical sonographers
Diagnostic medical sonographer vs. Extern-ultrasound technologist
An ultrasound technologist is responsible for assisting medical professionals in operating high-end equipment to diagnose patients' illnesses and monitor health conditions. Ultrasound technologists regularly inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machine and report inconsistencies and defects for immediate repair or replacement. They record scan results and endorse the patient to appropriate medical staff for required medication and further observation. An ultrasound technologist must have excellent knowledge and extensive experience in the medical industry to provide quality care for the patients and address their needs and concerns.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a diagnostic medical sonographer are more likely to require skills like "ardms," "ob-gyn," "abdomen," and "radiology." On the other hand, a job as an extern-ultrasound technologist requires skills like "ob," "gyn," "color doppler," and "ultrasound exams." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Extern-ultrasound technologists tend to reach similar levels of education than diagnostic medical sonographers. In fact, extern-ultrasound technologists are 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic medical sonographer vs. Ultrasound technologist
An echocardiographer has knowledge acquired through years of studying. They assist doctors in diagnosing diseases by producing two- or three-dimensional images of the heart. Non-invasively, they send sonic waves to the heart, where waves bounce on heart's structures, showing areas of high pressures, plaques, and other abnormalities. They bear good communication skills to explain the procedure to the patients. Thus, echocardiographers assist doctors to come up with the best treatment plans for the patient.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real diagnostic medical sonographer resumes. While diagnostic medical sonographer responsibilities can utilize skills like "ob-gyn," "abdomen," "doppler," and "exam rooms," ultrasound technologists use skills like "ultrasound exams," "ultrasound tech," "abd," and "ultrasound images."
On average, ultrasound technologists earn a lower salary than diagnostic medical sonographers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, ultrasound technologists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $90,559. Whereas diagnostic medical sonographers have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $85,336.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Ultrasound technologists tend to reach similar levels of education than diagnostic medical sonographers. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic medical sonographer vs. Sonography technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from diagnostic medical sonographer resumes include skills like "patients," "ardms," "patient care," and "ob-gyn," whereas a sonography technician is more likely to list skills in "safety standards," "arrt," "cpr," and "surgery. "
Most sonography technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to diagnostic medical sonographers. For example, they're 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic medical sonographer vs. Echocardiographer
Types of diagnostic medical sonographer
Updated January 8, 2025
