What does a vascular sonographer do?
It is the responsibility of a vascular sonographer to check the vascular systems of patients through specialized medical equipment for signs of disease or obstruction. Vascular sonographers are medical imaging specialists supervised by a vascular system specialist or physician. They examine blood vessels using ultrasound for diagnosis and treatment of any vascular system-related disease. Typically, they work in hospitals, laboratories, and doctor's offices. They are required to have a bachelor's degree in cardiovascular technology or diagnostic medical sonography.
Vascular sonographer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vascular sonographer resumes:
- Manage and operate the daily operations and supervision of the radiology ultrasound departments.
- Perform ABI, segmental pressure and oxygen tension studies.
- Work independently providing quality images for radiologists while maintaining a high level of care and compassion for the patient.
- Perform abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, and small parts ultrasound examinations.
- Perform a wide variety of obstetrics and gynecology ultrasounds in perinatal department.
- Ensure private and safe environment for patients and ensure patient safety regulations are followed consistently while providing compassionate customer service.
- Pull, create and file patient charts, scan all medical records to EMR.
- Coordinate patient schedules with cardiac stress and nuclear departments.
Vascular sonographer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Vascular Sonographers are proficient in Patients, RVT, 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 Vascular Sonographers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 25%
Ensured private and safe environment for patients and ensured patient safety regulations were followed consistently while providing compassionate customer service.
- RVT, 11%
Organized and participated in QA sessions with RVT's and surgeons.
- Patient Care, 9%
Ensured proper safety and security regulations were maintained regarding patient care and securing their private medical information.
- Doppler, 8%
Performed all Vascular studies including carotid duplex, venous and arterial Doppler of both upper and lower extremities.
- Vascular Ultrasound, 8%
Performed scheduled general and vascular ultrasound exams at an outpatient center.
- Ultrasound Procedures, 5%
Perform vascular, abdominal, OB/GN, and breast ultrasounds
Most vascular sonographers use their skills in "patients," "rvt," and "patient care" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential vascular sonographer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a vascular 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 vascular sonographer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "educated, instructed and oriented employees, students and physicians in vascular lab protocols and duties. "
Hand-eye coordination. Many vascular sonographer duties rely on hand-eye coordination. "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.," so a vascular sonographer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways vascular sonographer responsibilities rely on hand-eye coordination: "maintain effective organizational and communication skills with other healthcare professionals to ensure timely coordination of patient care. "
Physical stamina. For certain vascular sonographer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of a vascular sonographer 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 vascular sonographers do: "obtained and recorded accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations. "
Technical skills. A commonly-found skill in vascular sonographer job descriptions, "technical skills" is essential to what vascular sonographers do. Vascular sonographer responsibilities rely on this skill because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments." You can also see how vascular sonographer duties rely on technical skills in this resume example: "performed diagnostic ultrasound procedures and provided technical findings to physician. "
The three companies that hire the most vascular sonographers are:
- Med Travelers32 vascular sonographers jobs
- Novant Health24 vascular sonographers jobs
- Texas Health Resources14 vascular sonographers jobs
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Compare different vascular sonographers
Vascular 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, vascular sonographer responsibilities require skills like "rvt," "doppler," "vascular ultrasound," and "radiology." Meanwhile a typical extern-ultrasound technologist has skills in areas such as "ob," "gyn," "color doppler," and "ultrasound exams." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, extern-ultrasound technologists reach similar levels of education than vascular sonographers. Extern-ultrasound technologists are 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Vascular sonographer vs. Ultrasound technologist
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that vascular sonographer responsibilities requires skills like "rvt," "doppler," "vascular lab," and "icavl." But an ultrasound technologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "ardms," "ultrasound exams," "interventional procedures," and "ultrasound tech."
On average, ultrasound technologists earn a lower salary than vascular 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 vascular sonographers have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $82,776.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Ultrasound technologists tend to reach similar levels of education than vascular sonographers. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vascular 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 vascular sonographer resumes include skills like "patients," "rvt," "patient care," and "doppler," whereas a sonography technician is more likely to list skills in "safety standards," "arrt," "cpr," and "patient history. "
Sonography technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to vascular sonographers. Specifically, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vascular sonographer vs. Registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between vascular sonographers and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a vascular sonographer might have more use for skills like "patients," "rvt," "doppler," and "vascular ultrasound." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers require skills like "ardms," "rdcs," "quality images," and "diagnostic procedures. "
The average resume of registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to vascular sonographers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.6%.Types of vascular sonographer
Updated January 8, 2025
