The role of the sonographer, the USA model Prof. Dr Hans Blickman Vice Chair, Dept. of Radiology Radiologist-in-Chief, Golisano Childrens Hospital URMC, Rochester NY USA
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Also known as Ultrasound or Ultrasonography Fastest-growing area in diagnostic medicine Non-invasive, non-toxic imaging modality Uses high-frequency sound to produce images of various organs of the human body
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Also known as Ultrasound or Ultrasonography Fastest-growing area in diagnostic medicine Non-invasive, non-toxic imaging modality Uses high-frequency sound to produce images of various organs of the human body
Ultrasound Specialties Abdomen and Small Parts Evaluation of the organs in the abdomen, breast, scrotum, thyroid glands and checks for any abnormalities. Obstetrics & Gynecology Evaluation of the pregnant & non-pregnant uterus Vascular Evaluation of blood vessels Echocardiography Evaluation of the heart Ophthalmology Evaluation of the eyes Neurosonography Evaluation of the neonatal brain
A Sonographer or Ultrasound Technologist Obtains medical history & prepares patients for the ultrasound examination Selects the appropriate equipment for the ultrasound examination, records and gathers data. Analyzes the data collected and reports the ultrasound findings to the physician in an oral and written fashion for diagnosis. Interacts and collaborates with physicians and other health care professionals in order to provide a good quality care to the patient. Selects and evaluates new products and equipment for possible future use.
Career Opportunities Private & Public Hospitals (59% of jobs) Private physician Offices Self-Employed Mobile Ultrasound University/College (Education) Commercial (Companies)
Sonographer s Salary Median salary is: $61,984 SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey report, March 2005. $52,570 - $73,680 US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008. Salary varies & depends on: Years of experience Number of specialties practiced Geographic location Education Best-Paying Jobs for Associate Degrees by CNN.com
Job Outlook & Projections Sonographers held about 50,300 jobs in 2008. Projected employment by 2018 is 59,500 An increase of 9,200 Faster than average growth (Increase 14 to 19 percent) is expected to increase by about 18 percent through 2018 faster than the average for all occupations
Sonography Education Certificate Associate Bachelor of Science
Geographic Distribution of Ultrasound Programs 4 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 9 1 2 3 4 7 2 7 5 5 3 2 3 6 15 2 1 1 10 7 4 2 12 2 5 2 10 4 5 2 1 2 8 2 13
Ultrasound Programs Nationwide Ultrasound Programs 26 BS 85 Certificates 94 Associates
Accreditation of Ultrasound Programs Ultrasound Programs are accredited by the JRCDMS Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Under the umbrella of CAAHEP Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Accreditation Standards & Guidelines Essentials/Standards initially adopted in 1979; revised in 1987, 1996, and 2007 by the: American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) American College of Radiology (ACR) American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
National Education Curriculum American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) American College of Radiology (ACR) American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP) Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (CSDMS) Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRCCVT) Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) SDMS Educational Foundation
Ultrasound Training Didactic Phase Basic science courses Biology Physics Anatomy & Physiology Mathematics Chemistry Liberal arts Ultrasound core courses Clinical Phase (Internship) Students work side by side with sonographers and physicians Learn, apply, and sharpen their ultrasound skills and techniques Perform examination on inpatients and out-patients
Sample Specialty Curriculum Outlines Abdominal Sonography Superficial Structures Breast Neurosonography Musculoskeletal Obstetrical Sonography ƒ Gynecological Sonography Cardiac Sonography Vascular Sonography
Sample Common Curriculum Outline Common Curriculum General Education Mathematics Communications Psychology and Human Behavior Physics Statistics Information Technology Health Related Anatomy & Physiology Sectional Anatomy Pathophysiology Medical Ethics & Law Patient Care Sonography Specific Sonographic Physics & Instrumentation Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD)
Credentials RDMS: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Exams: Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Examination Plus OB/GYN, Abdomen, Breast, Fetal Echocardiography, Neurosonography or Pediatric Examination RDCS: Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Exams: Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Examination Plus Adult or Pediatric Echocardiography Examination RVT: Registered Vascular Technologist Exams: Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Examination Plus Vascular Technology Examination RMSKS: Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer Exams: Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Examination Plus Musculoskeletal Sonographer Examination
Continuing Competency 30 hours of CME credits per 3-year period Pass an additional specialty exam in same credential area Earn registration in different credential area
Sonographer Demographics Female 87.3% Male 31.8%
Years in Sonography
Sonographers age over 50 2008 31.9% 2005 22.9 %
Sonographers Education
Sonographers Educational Background
Sonographers Educational Degrees
Sonographers by Registry RDMS 38.5% RVS/RC S 0.4% RVT 17.2% RDMS/RD CS/RVT 4.4% RDMS/RV T 14.6% RVT/RDC S 5.9% RDCS 12.5% RDMS/RD CS 6.4%
Sonographer Employment 94.1% Employees 3.9% Selfemployed 2% Temporary via agency
Primary Job Setting
Primary Job Title
Sonographers by Specialty OB/GY N 24% Abdome n 21.2% Vascular 20.1% Breast 14.7% Adult Echo 9.2% Neurosonography 4.6% Pediatric Echo 2.8% Fetal Echo 1.9% Other Specialties 1.6%
Work Location
Sonographers Work Time
Scans Per Day Specialty Average Scans Per Day Abdomen 10.7 Breast 10.8 Adult Echo 8.7 Fetal Echo 10.3 Pediatric Echo 8.1 Neurosonograph y Ophthalmic Biometry 11 17.7 Ophthalmology 23.5 Vascular 10.2 Other 10.6 SDMS Sonographer salary and Benefits Survey Report, 2008.
A vibrant, important position. Thank you.
Many thanks for your time and attention 36