When people think of sonographers, many imagine an ultrasound technician telling expectant parents the gender of their future bundle of joy. And while that is true, sonography careers go beyond just identifying gender.
From monitoring blood flow to identifying blockages and even sometimes saving lives, the world of sonography offers lots of exciting opportunities for those looking to start a career in the medical field.
At MedQuest College, we offer two associate degree sonography programs: Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography. Both are key to helping doctors diagnosis and treat various conditions.
Are you looking for an exciting career in health care? Do you want to learn more about what a career in sonography could look like for you? Find all those answers below.
What does a diagnostic medical sonographer do?
While there are many options for a sonography career, students at MedQuest can choose to pursue an associate degree in either cardiac sonography or vascular sonography.
Cardiac sonographers use ultrasounds to produce images of a patient’s heart and the chambers, walls, valves and blood vessels. Job duties for cardiac sonographers include evaluating cardiac abnormalities and associated complications, tracking chronic heart conditions, evaluating narrowed or leaking valves, and looking for causes of murmurs, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Vascular sonographers are focused on producing images of the patient’s veins and arteries. This includes monitoring blood flow, locating blood clots, finding blood vessel abnormalities and evaluating the outcome of a graft of blood vessels.
What does a sonography career look like?
Both cardiac and vascular sonographers can work in a range of medical offices and help patients of all ages.
Work environments include:
- Hospitals
- Medical offices
- Labs
- Outpatient clinics
- Mobile ultrasound companies
Students in MedQuest’s Sonography Program learn how to work in all types of settings and with a wide variety of patients from the healthy to the critically ill.
Why is now a good time for a sonography career?
Like many careers in health care, the sonography field is booming. It’s booming so much, in fact, that U.S. News & World Report named diagnostic medical sonographer as the number 1 career in health care support jobs.
And it’s not hard to see why! Nearly 15,000 jobs are expected to be added by 2031, representing a 10% growth in the field. The median pay is $75,380 per year, and the unemployment rate is typically low.
A sonography career is also rewarding. Cardiovascular sonographers are key to helping make sure patients receive accurate diagnoses. Playing such an important role on the health care team can make for a very satisfying career.
How do I launch my sonography career?
Starting at career as a diagnostic medical sonographer is as simple as requesting more information from MedQuest College. Our trained admissions counselors will reach out to see if our programs are right for you.
If you have concerns about affording a degree, you can talk to our financial aid advisors who are ready to help you find college scholarships and other options to make your degree affordable.
Make this year the year you kickstart an exciting career in the health care field. Ready to get started? Click here to set up your tour today.