What does an ultrasonographer do?
Ultrasonographers are medical professionals who use ultrasound and imaging equipment to form images of many parts of the body to help doctors diagnose and treat many medical conditions. These sonographers must ensure that the quality of images is excellent by operating imaging equipment and reviewing those images so that they can be useful for diagnosis. They are required to prepare patients for ultrasound exam procedures while providing proper education throughout the exam. Ultrasonographers must also review the medical history of patients and coordinate care with various departments within the hospital.
Ultrasonographer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real ultrasonographer resumes:
- Prepare and achieve ACR accreditation for the department with an almost perfect score.
- General ultrasound, vascular, small parts, biopsies and amniocentesis.
- Perform diagnostic scans including all vascular studies, ABD, GYN and small parts imaging.
- Perform ob-gyn, small parts, breasts, general and vascular exams including bedside/portable exams.
- Experience in ABD, OB/GYN, endovaginal, small parts, invasive procedures, portable studies and all vascular imaging.
- Assist in amniocentesis and paracentesis.
- Perform OB-Gyn, abdominal and vascular exams
- Train radiology students in basic formats of ultrasound procedures.
- Assist with most invasive ultrasound procedures in radiology department.
- Perform upper and lower extremity DVT exams.
- Assist physicians with, thyroid biopsies and breast biopsies.
- Keep room, transducers and machine sanitize at all times.
- Evaluate for aneurysms, pseudoaneurysm, AAA, and DVT.
- Assist in preparation of exam reports for doctor review using a PACS system
- Assist doctor's with various special procedures such as amniocentesis, biopsies and fluid drainage.
Ultrasonographer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Ultrasonographers are proficient in Patients, Patient Care, and Radiology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Hand-eye coordination, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Ultrasonographers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 23%
Collaborated with patients, significant others, physicians and other ancillary departments to provide continuous and well coordinated care.
- Patient Care, 12%
Sterilized instruments, cleaning and organizing medical equipment and stocking patient care areas.
- Radiology, 6%
Trained radiology students in basic formats of ultrasound procedures.
- OB-GYN, 6%
Perform Abdominal, OB-GYN, Vascular, Pediatric, Small Parts, Pelvic, Transplant Exams, Neonatal and Biopsy Procedures.
- RDMS, 5%
Travel Assignment till 3/21/2017 RDMS, perform ultrasound scanning according hospital protocols
- Ultrasound Exams, 5%
Perform detailed obstetric/gynecologic ultrasound exams per protocol.
Common skills that an ultrasonographer uses to do their job include "patients," "patient care," and "radiology." You can find details on the most important ultrasonographer responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for an ultrasonographer 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, an ultrasonographer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "performed detailed clinical assessment and diagnostic sonography examinations of the abdomen, pelvis, fetal, small parts and vascular. "
Hand-eye coordination. Another essential skill to perform ultrasonographer duties is hand-eye coordination. Ultrasonographers responsibilities require that "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." Ultrasonographers also use hand-eye coordination in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain effective organizational and communication skills with other healthcare professionals to ensure timely coordination of patient care. "
Physical stamina. For certain ultrasonographer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of an ultrasonographer rely on this skill, as "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what ultrasonographers do: "explain exam to patients while considering physical and emotional needs, making patient care a priority. "
Technical skills. Another common skill required for ultrasonographer responsibilities is "technical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of ultrasonographers 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 ultrasonographer resume shows how this skill is central to what an ultrasonographer does: "provide interpreting physicians with oral or written summaries of technical findings, while simultaneously providing basic patient care and comfort. "
The three companies that hire the most ultrasonographers are:
- CoxHealth32 ultrasonographers jobs
- Beaumont Health
28 ultrasonographers jobs
- Accountable Healthcare Holdings Corp.26 ultrasonographers jobs
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Compare different ultrasonographers
Ultrasonographer 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an ultrasonographer are more likely to require skills like "patient care," "radiology," "ob-gyn," and "rdms." On the other hand, a job as an x-ray technician requires skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "customer service," and "radiation safety." 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, ultrasonographers tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $78,229.On average, x-ray technicians reach similar levels of education than ultrasonographers. X-ray technicians are 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Ultrasonographer vs. Radiologic technologist assistant
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real ultrasonographer resumes. While ultrasonographer responsibilities can utilize skills like "radiology," "ob-gyn," "rdms," and "ultrasound exams," radiologic technologist assistants use skills like "vital signs," "radiologic technologist," "exam rooms," and "radiologic procedures."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Radiologic technologist assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than ultrasonographers. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ultrasonographer vs. Mammography technician
A mammography technician is primarily in charge of operating an imaging machine to detect and diagnose breast diseases. Their responsibilities include greeting patients, reviewing their identification and request documentation, explaining the extent of procedures, answering inquiries, operating machines, performing adjustments, and conducting the study in adherence to the protocols, making sure the patients feel comfortable every step of the way. Furthermore, as a mammography technician, it is essential to practice every safety technique during the procedures, all while enforcing the facility's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, ultrasonographers are more likely to have skills like "cpr," "radiology," "ob-gyn," and "rdms." But a mammography technician is more likely to have skills like "arrt," "mammography technologist," "customer service," and "radiography."
Mammography technicians earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $73,457. Comparatively, ultrasonographers have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $78,229.When it comes to education, mammography technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to ultrasonographers. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Ultrasonographer vs. Extern-ultrasound technologist
Types of ultrasonographer
Updated January 8, 2025
