An Ultrasound technician has a very interesting job with a myriad of responsibilities. The ultrasound technician will use advanced technology and equipment to produce an image of something within the human body which can then be used for diagnosis of disease or as in the case of obstetrics, to take an image of a growing embryo inside the womb.
The ultrasound technician has numerous duties and responsibilities, including taking medical histories and reviewing patient records and briefing the patient on the procedure. The sonographer, or ultrasound technician must place the patient in a proper posture that will ensure that the corresponding area to be scanned is in the best position to achieve the most comprehensive look at the body area in question. A good ultrasound technician must have a good foundation and understanding of human anatomy.
During the actual scanning process, high-tech equipment that uses ultrasonic waves is used in order to achieve an image. The ultrasonic waves bounce off the different parts of the body and produce an image that a radiologist can then analyze. Once the image is captured, it is generally forwarded to an attending radiologist for analysis or diagnosis. In the obstetrics field, the patient is allowed to see the baby as the ultrasound procedure is taking place. With the advancements of 3D and 4D technology, the baby can be seen from all sides. It can then be filmed or photographed and it is usually a very exciting time for the new parents.
Ultrasound Technician Information
If the ultrasound procedure is for diagnosis of other ailments, the images are sent to a radiologist for analysis. Most ultrasound machines now work digitally, so sending these images is often very quick and efficient. All diagnosis’s must be made by an actual radiologist and even though an ultrasound technician may be able to see problems, they must never attempt to diagnose or even comment on the results of the ultrasound images.
There are many medical conditions that can benefit from the use of ultrasounds. The typical patient that an ultrasound technician will see varies upon the kind of ultrasound imaging that is being completed. The typical ultrasound session will take around 45 minutes to 1 hour, but some may use less time and some may use more. Typically an ultrasound technician will see around 8 to 10 patients for each 8 hour shift.
The number of images that are captured in a typical ultrasound session depends upon the body area to be scanned and the discretion of the ultrasound technician. Different areas of the body require different amounts of images. In obstetrics there are usually about 40 to 120 images taken, while if ultrasound equipment is used in anesthesiology to guide injecting needles, only one image may be necessary.
Most sonographers or ultrasound technicians work in one place, such as a doctor’s office or a hospital or clinic. However, there may be positions where an ultrasound technician works “on-call” for a few different clinics or hospitals. “On Call” work generally warrants additional compensation. Ultrasound technicians do not typically work in any type of freelance situations.
Ultrasound Technician Requirements
Ultrasound technicians generally work under a lead ultrasound technician who is in charge of supervisory tasks in addition to ultrasound imaging. The position of a lead ultrasound technician commands a higher pay scale to compensate for the additional responsibilities.
The sonographer or ultrasound technician will achieve the images to determine if whatever is inside the human body that they are looking at is in healthy conditions or if there are abnormalities. If there are abnormalities it may warrant additional images, however, the ultrasound technician does not diagnose so they should refrain from discussing any problems that they may be seeing. All organs have a definite “shade of gray” that they should have, so the ultrasound technician will be looking for this normal range of color as they are scanning. If they are looking at an unborn baby they will also look for any abnormalities that may need further attention.
Once the scanning is complete it is forwarded to the radiologist for analysis and diagnosis. The radiologist will then report back to the attending physician who will relay the information to the patient. The ultrasound technician’s job is usually finished upon the completion of the scans.
