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It is the sonographer's responsibility to explain the procedure to the patient and to obtain any additional medical history relevant to the exam prior to beginning the exam. The sonographer may need to aid the patient for proper positioning to provide the best view. The sonographer must be able to select the appropriate transducer for the exam and also decide which of the images are satisfactory for the physician to make a diagnosis.
What are the benefits of becoming a sonographer? The increasing demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology promises an exceptional outlook for sonographers. Unlike most other imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, harmful side effects, or complications from repeated exposure for either the sonographer or the patient. As the population grows, the employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average through 2010. .
The average annual earnings of sonographers in 2000 was $44,820, with a good majority of them earning over $59,750. In comparison, the average annual earnings of radiologic technicians was $30,220, with few earning more than $41,00. The earning potential of a sonographer is greatly increased when they specialize in a specific field such as Obstetrics.
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Most students seeking a healthcare related career answer the question of "why?" with essentially the same answer: "To make a difference in people's lives." The most obvious reward is seeing the joy on an expectant mother's face, but the rewards are much farther reaching than that. Imagine being able to diagnose nervous system disorders in premature infants or assist the surgeon with the insertion of prosthetic lenses into the eye!.
What does it take to become a sonographer? Some of the technical standards for sonographers are that they must be able to stand for long periods, routinely push and pull, lift more than 50 pounds, and adequately perform and view sonograms.