| OOH
Radiologic Technologists
2000 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
America's Career Infonet
American Society of Radiologic
Technologists
Society of Diagnostic
Medical Sonography
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine Diagnostic Sonography: Principles & Clinical Applications Clinical
Sonography : A Practical Guide
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Sonographers should
have better job oppurtunities that other radiologic technologists.
Ultrasound is becoming an attractive alternative to radiologic procedures.
Sonographers are also known as ultrasonographers. Images are formed
when echoes are reflected from the sound waves from areas in a patient's
body. Physicians then diagnose the photographs. Sonographers
explain to the patient what is taking place, they review the medical history,
and select the equipment that is necessary for the patient position.
The sonographers screen the areas to find the differences in healthy and
pathological areas. Sonographers can specialize in certain areas
in the body.
The hours for a radiologic technologists are usually about 40 per week. The hours may be day, night, weekends, or on-call. In 1998, radiologic technologists held about 162,000 jobs. Most of the jobs were radiographers, the rest were sonographers. More than half of the jobs are in hospitals. There are also oppurtunities in physician's office, diagnostic imaging centers, and clinics. Radiologic technologists can recieve training in hospitals, colleges and universities, vocational-technical intitutes, and the Armed Forces. Programs in radiography and diagnostic medical sonography are between one year and four years. There are some programs offered that are only one year in length to those already experienced in the health field. Radiologic technologists' employment is expected to grow "as fast as the average" for all occupations through 2008. New ultrasound procedures are expected, which in turn will create more job oppurtunities for sonographers. A high school diploma or the equivilant is required for radiography programs. Some courses in high school that are helpful are math, chemistry, biology, and physics. Programs include both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Instruction is given in anatomy and physiology, principles of imaging, positioning of patients, medical ethics, patient care procedures, radiation protection, radiation physics, medical terminology, radiobiology, and pathology. The mean earnings for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, per hour, is $22.03. The mean annual earnings is $45,820. Right now in my home town, I could apply for a job at a local hospital, performing radiographic procedures, earning $13.45-$17.32 per hour. I've gone on a couple of tours in local hospitals to explore my occupational field. I very much enjoyed my experience, and am very eager to get started in my program. I plan to specialize in neonatal sonograpghy. Babies are blessing put into this world for us to enjoy the gift of new life. I could definitely find a job easily in my home town upon completion of my program. There are three large hosptials and a number of clinics and centers to find employment at. The health field is an excellent choice for a career in terms of the guarantee of getting a job. The field is ever growing and the job oppurtunities are growing by the day. The option is also available if I want to be mobile. If at some time I do want to move, I can find a job in any town that has a hospital. This research has helped me to know more about the field that I plan to enter very soon.
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