Occupation Summary

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

O*NET 29-2032.00

Description:

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Annual Wages:
$81,204.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 28.19%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
  2. Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
  3. Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
  4. Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
  5. Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
  6. Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
  7. Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
  8. Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
  9. Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
  10. Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
  11. Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
  12. Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
  13. Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
  14. Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.
  15. Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
  16. Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
  17. Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
  18. Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
  19. Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  20. Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers employed Annual Growth Rate
General medical and surgical hospitals 55.4 1.30
Offices of physicians 24.3 1.25
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 10.2 1.82
Outpatient care centers 3.9 2.68


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $39.04
2023 National average hourly wage $42.80
2022 National employment 83,800
2022 Texas employment 6,690
Texas projected employment by 2032 8,576
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 575




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
91.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
81.40%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
74.20%
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
71.80%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
66.60%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
65.00%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
64.60%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
63.60%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
59.00%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
57.80%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
75.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
75.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
75.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
70.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
70.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
67.60%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
67.60%
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
65.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
65.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
77.60%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
75.00%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
72.40%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
70.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
70.00%
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
70.00%


  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Blood pressure cuff kits: Sphygmomanometers;

Body plethysmographs: Plethysmographs;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Hazardous material protective apparel: Personal protective clothing;

Hypodermic needle: Venipuncture needles;

Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kits: Intravenous IV supplies;

Lancets: Lancets;

Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS: Picture archiving and communication systems PACS;

Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological use: Sandbags; Immobilization and positioning devices;

Medical radiological shielding freestanding or portable screens or curtains: Lead barriers;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph monitors: Ultrasound monitors; Ultrasound video equipment;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph printers: Medical ultrasound printers;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph three dimensional components: 3D sonography equipment;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph transducer: High frequency transducers; Transducers;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph transducer accessories: Cardiac ultrasound equipment;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echocardiograph or echocardiograph units for general diagnostic use: Two-dimensional doppler ultrasound equipment; Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound units; A-Mode ultrasound machines; Color Doppler ultrasound equipment; Continuous-wave ultrasound equipment; M-mode ultrasound machines;

Medical x ray apparatus filters: X ray beam restriction devices;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Protective gloves: Safety gloves;

Safety glasses: Safety glasses;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Tourniquets: Tourniquets;

Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers: Evacuated blood collection tubes;


Technology

Calendar and scheduling software: Calendar and scheduling software;

Data base user interface and query software: Database software;

Electronic mail software: Email software;

Medical software: Medical procedure coding software; MEDITECH software; eClinicalWorks EHR software; Patient medical record software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Spreadsheet software: Spreadsheet software; Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers include:
  • 29-2031.00 Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
  • 31-9099.02 Endoscopy Technicians
  • 29-2035.00 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
  • 29-2099.01 Neurodiagnostic Technologists
  • 29-2033.00 Nuclear Medicine Technologists
  • 29-2099.05 Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
  • 29-1124.00 Radiation Therapists
  • 29-2034.00 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
  • 29-9093.00 Surgical Assistants
  • 29-2055.00 Surgical Technologists


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, visit: Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
  • American Society of Echocardiography
  • Society for Vascular Ultrasound
  • Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • For more information about certification, visit: American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
  • Cardiovascular Credentialing International
  • National Healthcareer Association
  • For a current list of accredited education programs in medical sonography and cardiovascular technology, visit: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on cardiovascular technologists and technicians, visit: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
  • For a career video on diagnostic medical sonographers, visit: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
  • Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.