Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Sonography
There are many career options in the United States today, and you can literally be anything you desire as long as you have the motivation and drive to complete your educational requirements. With so many professions to choose from it can be extremely difficult to decide which career path is the right one for you. Right now the health care industry is booming and there are many careers to choose from within this field. As for me I would like to be in a rewarding career that has the opportunity to help others where I am valued and respected along with the added incentive of competitive pay, benefits, reasonable hours and positive job outlook, this is why I have chosen to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. I am positive this
The Austin Community College Catalog 2012-2013 States that you must obtain a two year, “Associate of Applied Science Degree” (174-175). “Typical Coursework includes classes in anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, physics and patient care”, as noted by Education Portal. According to The Austin Community College Catalog 2012-2013 you must complete a required total of “72 credit hours” (174-175). You must be knowledgeable in the anatomy of the human body and the function of its vital organs. The sonographer, also known as an ultrasound technician, operates medical equipment that produce images through sound waves, that can then be recorded either on video or still pictures and are then viewed for interpretation to diagnose many different ailments in various parts of the human body. There is also a required knowledge of how to use the sonography machine in order to properly provide a successful diagnosis. There are many different fields of sonography that one could specialize in as stated by the School for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, such
Department of Labor. As the medical field expands there becomes an increased need for sonographers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor “Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow by 44% between 2010 and 2020”, much faster than the average for all occupations. If the ultrasound tech is certified in more than one field they will have greater job opportunities. They also receive great health benefits plus there will always be a need for them with the expanding health care industry. “Most full-time sonographers work about 40 hours a week; they may have evening weekend hours and times when they are on call and must be ready to report to work on short notice”, as noted by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. They also spend a majority of the time on their feet and at times must to be able to physically lift or move a patient in order to provide proper care to achieve adequate ultrasound results. InnerBody claims “Most sonographers (about 60 percent) work in hospitals. Others work in doctors’ offices, diagnostic facilities and outpatient centers”. Because they spend most of their time working one on one with their patients, they must have good communication and interpersonal skills in combination with a good bedside manner in order to