What You'll Do

  • Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
  • Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
  • Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
  • Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
  • 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.
  • Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
  • Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
  • Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
  • Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
  • Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.88/5
Reading Comprehension 3.75/5
Speaking 3.75/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Active Learning 3.38/5
Time Management 3.38/5
Writing 3.25/5
Science 3.25/5
Coordination 3.25/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Cooperation, Integrity

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 3.88/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Written Expression 3.75/5
Speech Clarity 3.62/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Calendar and scheduling software Database software eClinicalWorks EHR software Email software Medical procedure coding software MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Patient medical record software Spreadsheet software Word processing software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.85/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.73/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.4/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Cardiac Sonographer Cardiovascular Sonographer Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Echo Sonographer (Echocardiograph Sonographer) Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician) Echocardiogram Technician Echocardiographer Echocardiographic Technologist Echocardiography Technician Echocardiology Technologist Medical Sonographer Polysomnographic Technician Polysomnographic Technologist Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) Sonogram Technician Sonographer Sonography Technician Staff Sonographer Travel OB Ultrasound Tech (Travel Obstetrics Ultrasound Technician) Travel Ultrasound Sonographer Travel Ultrasound Technologist Ultra Sound Technician Ultrasonic Tester Ultrasonographer Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech) Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech) Ultrasound Tester Vascular Sonographer Vascular Ultrasound Tech (Vascular Ultrasound Technician) Vascular Ultrasound Technologist

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.