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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Scanning...We See through hearing, Medical Sonographer in Your Potential Future Have you ever had an ultra-sound? If you answer yes, then you are or were experiencing a pregnancy, Congartulations. If you answer no, you probably have had an ultra sound without even knowing. Many people associate Sonography with pregnancy which is accurate but it also serves for many other diagnosis of medical conditions. Ultra-Sounds has to do with Diagnostic Medical Sonography. It is a branch of diagnostic medical imaging where they use the ultrasound for medical diagnosis. A DMS uses an Ultrasound to produce a 2D and 3D imaging of the body.
A diagnostic medical sonographer, or ultrasound technician, is a person who uses ultrasound machines to view and interpret images with sound waves for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. One of the most common uses for ultrasound testing is in the field of obstetrics to view the developing fetus for signs of any abnormal conditions and to determine a closer approximation of the age of the fetus. Diagnostic medical sonographer job duties are varied.
Estimates show an annual job opening of 148 for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Gulf Coast region!
Salaries for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are approximately $30,000 more than the average amount of all other occupations, making it a desirable career opportunity.
Is being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer right for you?*
These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career in radiologic technology. The following data describes the relative importance of each knowledge/skill area from the opinion of those in the industry.
| Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas | Relevant Importance Levels |
| Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
91.00% |
| English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
81.40% |
| Physics Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes. |
74.20% |
| Medicine and Dentistry Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. |
71.80% |
*Source: Texas Career Check.
Plan Early for a Career as a Radiologic Technologist High School Endorsement:
Public Service | STEM
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer occupations usually require completion of a two-year associate degree program. Formal training programs do, however, range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. Training programs can be found at:
- Community Colleges
- Universities
- Vocational-Technical Institutes
- In some instances, training is available in hospital-sponsored programs
In addition to training completion, employers generally require job candidates to be certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography for specialty imaging procedures (e.g. sonography, mammography, or densitometry). To be eligible for certification, technologists must graduate from an accredited program and pass an examination. In addition, candidates are generally required to be licensed or eligible for license by the State of Texas Department of Health.
Helpful Skills to Get to Know
- Medical Software: Medical procedure coding software, MEDITECH software, or CT imaging software
- Database Interface and Query Software
Where do you go from here?
With experience and additional training, candidates may become specialized, branch into other related occupations or move up into management positions:
Gulf Coast Region Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs Community Colleges
- Galveston College
- Houston Community College System
- Lone Star College System
- San Jacinto College District
- Wharton County Junior College
Health-Related Institutions
Major Employers in the Gulf Coast Region
If you have questions about our Industry/Occupation Profiles or are an organization in the Gulf Coast Region, please contact webmaster@wrksolutions.com.
| *Includes the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton. |