Cardiac sonographers use ultrasound to create images of the heart and blood vessels for doctors to check for heart disease. They work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and imaging clinics. A two-year degree is required, but additional education can lead to management positions or teaching careers. Strong critical thinking skills and technical proficiency are necessary. Ultrasound is also used for pregnancy and abdominal exams.
Cardiac sonographers use ultrasound technology to create echocardiographic schematics, or images of the heart and blood vessels. Echocardiograms are evaluated by doctors to check for heart disease. Cardiac sonography jobs can be found in hospitals, doctors’ offices, imaging clinics and mobile testing facilities. Additional education may allow the cardiac sonographer to move into a management position. Sonography instructor jobs are another career option.
A hospital can be a fast-paced environment for cardiac sonographers. Hospital hours are not as regular as hours in other work settings. Cardiac sonographers usually work rotating shifts and may work weekends and holidays. A cardiac sonographer’s job description in a hospital usually involves checking physicians’ orders and performing accurate echo scans. Sonographers may also be responsible for filing, scheduling, and assisting in other departments.
Cardiac sonographers who work in physicians’ offices or imaging centers generally have more regular schedules. They are responsible for carrying out the tests prescribed by cardiac physicians and verifying the results of electrocardiograms. These employees may work in the clinic or imaging center, or they may work on a contract or per diem basis.
A two-year degree in ultrasound from an accredited school is required for entry-level cardiac ultrasound jobs. Additional experience and education, such as a bachelor’s degree in ultrasonography, can lead to management positions in hospital administration. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in health administration is another avenue for the cardiac sonographer.
Teaching careers in cardiac ultrasound generally require at least a bachelor’s degree, and prior teaching experience is also often required. Ultrasound instructors teach in the classroom and support students in clinical settings. They must assess students and provide constant feedback to ensure students meet the standards required for a career in sonography.
In most situations, the functions of the cardiac sonographer include recording the patient’s history, explaining procedures, and producing a preliminary report of observations and findings. Both resting echocardiograms and echocardiograms that record stress levels after exercise can be performed by a cardiac ultrasound. Strong critical thinking skills are required for cardiac sonography jobs. Technical proficiency, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with patients are also important requirements for cardiac ultrasound jobs.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to form images of the body. The echoes of these sound waves produce a black and white image. In addition to diagnosing heart problems, ultrasound is also used to create images during pregnancy and to examine the condition of the abdomen.
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