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What does a sonographer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a sonographer do

A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.

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Sonographer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real sonographer resumes:

  • Manage and operate the daily operations and supervision of the radiology ultrasound departments.
  • Explain ultrasound procedures to patients, record relevant medical history, reconcile and collect required data.
  • Perform all ultrasound exams, ie: Abd, OB/Gyn, small parts and vascular.
  • Pass ARDMS vascular exam at Oct.
  • Experience with ICAVL guidelines and requirements.
  • Maintain equipment, treadmill room and supply inventory.
  • Stress studies include treadmill stress exams and pharmacological exams.
  • Maintain proper care and cleanliness of equipment and work area.
  • Identify and evaluate abdominal vessels with spectral and color Doppler.
  • Assist in complete studies in NICU and ICU from newborns to geriatrics.
  • Support technologist on portable examinations in the ICU, NICU, and ER.
  • Attend bi-weekly cardiology meetings to discuss new goals and progress of research studies.
  • General Sonographer scanning abd, renal, small parts, ob/gyn and some vascular studies
  • Work with lead tech to maintain ICAVL accreditation and to explore new scheduling processes.
  • Perform patient tracking, equipment maintenance, billing of studies, and exam archiving.

Sonographer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 19% of Sonographers are proficient in Patients, Sonography, and ARDMS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Hand-eye coordination, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Sonographers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 19%

    Explained ultrasound procedures to patients, recorded relevant medical history, reconciled and collected required data.

  • Sonography, 11%

    Participated in the training of Radiology Residents and Sonography Students at this teaching facility.

  • ARDMS, 11%

    Passed ARDMS registries for Vascular Physics, Vascular Technology, and Breast.

  • Patient Care, 10%

    Worked closely with radiologist and ordering physicians to ensure optimal patient care.

  • Ultrasound Equipment, 6%

    Evaluated ultrasound equipment from different manufacturers and advised the radiology practice in the purchase of new equipment.

  • Ultrasound Procedures, 4%

    Developed excellent communication and trust with referring physicians and ultimately increased ultrasound procedures and exams.

"patients," "sonography," and "ardms" are among the most common skills that sonographers use at work. You can find even more sonographer responsibilities below, including:

Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a sonographer to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what sonographers do 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 sonographer resume shows how sonographers use detail oriented: "oriented and trained new sonography staff. "

Hand-eye coordination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling 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 sonographer resume, here's how sonographers can utilize hand-eye coordination in their job responsibilities: "maintain positive and workable relationships with patients and other departments to ensure effective coordination and communication regarding the context of study. "

Physical stamina. A big part of what sonographers do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to 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 sonographer tasks: "travel position abdomen ob pelvis/ev venous duplex arterial duplex abis small parts renal carotid duplex thyroid biophysical profile paracentesis thoracentesis liver biopsy"

Technical skills. Another common skill required for sonographer responsibilities is "technical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of 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 sonographer resume shows how this skill is central to what a sonographer does: "prepare the preliminary sonographer reports and assess the technical quality and completeness of the ultrasounds performed. "

See the full list of sonographer skills

The three companies that hire the most sonographers are:

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Compare different sonographers

Sonographer vs. X-ray technician

The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.

We looked at the average sonographer salary and compared it with the wages of an x-ray technician. Generally speaking, x-ray technicians are paid $34,256 lower than sonographers per year.Even though sonographers and x-ray technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require patients, patient history, and pacs in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a sonographer are more likely to require skills like "sonography," "ardms," "patient care," and "ultrasound equipment." On the other hand, a job as an x-ray technician requires skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "customer service." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

X-ray technicians really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $55,344. Comparatively, sonographers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,516.x-ray technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than sonographers. In fact, x-ray technicians are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Sonographer vs. Extern-ultrasound technologist

Radio repairers are responsible for performing and supervising maintenance for the sustainment level of radio transmitters, receivers, and other types of communication security equipment. This may be done in the field or in an office setting. Good dexterity, sufficient strength, and a healthy background in mechanical skills and diagnostic equipment will be a must for this career.

A career as a extern-ultrasound technologist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a sonographer. In fact, extern-ultrasound technologists salary is $21,967 lower than the salary of sonographers per year.A few skills overlap for sonographers and extern-ultrasound technologists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "patients," "patient care," and "ultrasound equipment. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, sonographer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "sonography," "ardms," "radiology," and "ob-gyn." Meanwhile, an extern-ultrasound technologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "ob," "gyn," "color doppler," and "ultrasound exams." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Extern-ultrasound technologists earn similar levels of education than sonographers in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Sonographer vs. Radiologic technologist assistant

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.

On average, radiologic technologist assistants earn lower salaries than sonographers, with a $35,686 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on sonographers and radiologic technologist assistants resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "patients," "patient care," and "patient history.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from sonographer resumes include skills like "sonography," "ardms," "ultrasound equipment," and "ultrasound procedures," whereas a radiologic technologist assistant is more likely to list skills in "vital signs," "cpr," "radiologic technologist," and "exam rooms. "

Radiologic technologist assistants typically earn similar educational levels compared to sonographers. Specifically, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Sonographer vs. Ultrasound technologist

Ultrasound technologists average a lower salary than the annual salary of sonographers. The difference is about $1,196 per year.While their salaries may vary, sonographers and ultrasound technologists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "patients," "ardms," and "patient care. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between sonographers and ultrasound technologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a sonographer might have more use for skills like "sonography," "ob-gyn," "nuchal translucency," and "good communication." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of ultrasound technologists require skills like "vascular ultrasound," "ultrasound exams," "ultrasound tech," and "test results. "

In general, ultrasound technologists earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $90,559. The highest-paying industry for a sonographer is the technology industry.The average resume of ultrasound technologists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to sonographers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.

Types of sonographer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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