What’s a sonographer intern’s role?

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An ultrasound intern assists higher-level sonographers with radiology tasks, learning how to work with patients and ultrasound equipment, analyze procedure results, take measurements, and properly document all work performed. While much of their work is hands-on, these professionals also attend classes to learn about body and ultrasound methods and tools. They often perform peripheral tasks such as organizing equipment as well.

Course-wise, a sonography intern takes classes such as anatomy, biology, and physiology, which provides the intern with a basic understanding of the structure and functioning of the body. The chemistry and physics classes also reveal how processes work within the body and how different sonography equipment affects tissues. Lessons related to the use of ultrasound equipment show the sonography intern how and when to use different tools. Learning about other topics, such as medical ethics, is also standard.

During hands-on clinical training, the ultrasound intern learns how to engage the patient with ultrasound, asking questions to determine the medical history or explaining how a specific ultrasound procedure will be performed. They also learn how to position the patient correctly. If necessary, they immobilize the patient through tools such as braces.

Working under a higher level sonographer, an ultrasound intern also learns to operate ultrasound equipment. Although the equipment varies according to the intern’s focus, the basic equipment that the apprentice learns to use includes video equipment and high-frequency transducers. The intern also learns how to troubleshoot basic equipment problems, although he is not responsible for major maintenance.

After the trainee obtains an image, he learns how to label and measure elements in the image. This is a very important skill because measurements often indicate the progression or recession of an illness or injury. The intern also learns to analyze what he sees in the image based on current medical and scientific knowledge.

Another critical element of a sonography intern’s job is learning how to properly document and report activities and results. Although the ultrasound intern is not qualified to offer a diagnosis, the way in which they present information about the patient, the procedure, and the images affects how easily the physician can evaluate the results. The intern can learn how to use specific forms or what content to include in formal reports to the physician.

Intern-level sonographers often help higher-level sonographers with other tasks in the radiology and ultrasound department. For example, they can mail patients or make contact with the scheduling department. They sometimes show patients to and from lobbies or waiting rooms, help track ultrasound equipment and other inventory, and keep ultrasound areas neat and clean. These tasks help sonography workers to operate efficiently.

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