Sonographers use imaging equipment to take pictures of the body’s internal systems. But did you know these professionals can specialize in different areas? Some sonographers focus on body parts, like the heart or abdomen, while others perform ultrasound exams on children, women, and pregnant patients. In this article, we’ll go over 7 different types of sonographers and what they do to help you explore options for your future career path.
What Is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
A diagnostic medical sonographer uses ultrasound equipment to create images of organs, tissues, blood vessels, and other structures inside the body. They perform ultrasound exams, which send high-energy sound waves into the body and use the frequency to produce images.
Sonographers position patients for exams, operate the imaging equipment, check image quality, and provide information to physicians, who use sonograms to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
You might also hear sonographers referred to as ultrasound technicians or ultrasound technologists. These titles all refer to healthcare professionals who use sonography to take diagnostic images of the human body.
7 Sonography Specialties to Know
Diagnostic medical sonographers commonly focus on an area of ultrasound technology. Some sonography specialties center on parts of the body, such as abdominal and breast sonography. Others focus on certain patient groups, such as pediatric sonography.
If you’re interested in sonography, you may want to learn how the different types of ultrasound techs compare. Here are 7 common specialties to know:
1. Breast Sonographer
Breast sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images of breast tissue. These images can give physicians more information about potential areas of concern, such as cysts or lumps identified during a self-exam or mammogram. Breast sonographers may also help with some procedures, such as biopsies.
Working in breast sonography, you may interact with patients who feel nervous or scared about the exam or its findings. Valuable skills for this role include compassion and the ability to communicate clearly about what to expect.
2. OB/GYN Sonographer
Obstetric and gynecologic (OB/GYN) sonographers focus on the female reproductive system. They may perform gynecologic ultrasounds to capture images of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries, or they may take obstetric ultrasounds of a fetus during pregnancy.
When people think of sonography, they often imagine ultrasound images taken during pregnancy, which monitor a baby’s growth and development. While obstetric sonography is a common specialty, OB/GYN sonographers may also work with patients experiencing pain, abnormal bleeding, or infertility. It may be a good fit if you’re interested in female health and want to work with patients across different stages of life.
3. Pediatric Sonographer
Pediatric sonographers perform ultrasound exams for infants and children. Depending on the child’s needs, they may image different areas of the body, such as the head, spine, or abdomen. They may also work with young patients who were born prematurely or have congenital conditions.
These sonographers need to have excellent communication skills to explain concepts in simple language for children. They may also interact closely with pediatricians and family members. If you enjoy working with children, pediatric sonography may be the right ultrasound specialty for you.
4. Cardiac Sonographer
Cardiac sonographers create real-time images of the heart. This type of ultrasound is known as an echocardiogram, and cardiac sonographers may also be called echocardiographers. These echocardiograms can provide information about the heart’s function, blood flow, and potential issues, such as blockages.
Many cardiac sonographers work closely with cardiologists in hospitals or other facilities with cardiac units. It may be a good choice if you enjoy cardiovascular health and want to help people with heart conditions.
5. Abdominal Sonographer
Abdominal sonographers image the organs within the abdomen, including the liver, kidney, and pancreas. These ultrasounds can help physicians check for blockages, infections, tissue damage, and tumors. Abdominal sonographers may also help doctors with procedures, such as draining fluid from cysts.
It’s a common specialty that covers a broad range of body systems. If you’re interested in anatomy and want to have variety in your shifts, abdominal sonography may be the right fit for you.
6. Musculoskeletal Sonographer
Musculoskeletal sonographers focus on the skeletal system and muscles, including nerves, ligaments, joints, and tendons. They commonly work with patients who have mobility issues after injuries, such as sprains or hernias. The diagnostic images they create can help physicians decide how to treat those conditions.
This area of sonography requires precision and observation skills, since it can involve capturing small areas of the body during movement. It can be a good specialty if you’re detail-oriented and enjoy work that involves technical accuracy.
7. Vascular Sonographer
Vascular sonographers specialize in the circulatory system and blood vessels, including veins and arteries. They use ultrasound technology to produce images that show blood flow throughout the body, which can help doctors diagnose blockages, clots, and other vascular conditions.
In this highly specialized area, you’ll need strong analytical skills to produce clear images and adjust scanning techniques when something needs a closer look. You may be interested in vascular sonography if you enjoy technology and want to learn how the circulatory system functions.
How to Choose Between Ultrasound Specialties
If you’re considering a career in diagnostic medical sonography, the good news is you don’t need to choose a specialty right away. In an ultrasound technology program, you can learn about different types of sonography and explore areas that interest you the most.
An ultrasound technology program will also help you to gain real-world experience in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers. For example, the Ultrasound Technologist program at American Career College includes over 900 hours of clinical experience, which can help you decide which ultrasound specialties you may want to pursue further.
Find Your Path with ACC’s Ultrasound Technologist Program
The different types of sonographers include breast, abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, and pediatric sonographers. These professionals all use specialized equipment to produce diagnostic images, but their work can look very different. If you’re interested in this career path, you can explore different sonography specialties to find one that matches your interests and skills.
ACC’s Ultrasound Technologist program offers an industry-current curriculum with classes in different areas of sonography, including abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular imaging. Combined with over 900 hours of clinical training, the program can help you prepare for the Sonography certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. It can be completed in as few as 20 months at our Orange County campus.
To learn more about ACC’s Ultrasound Technologist program, reach out for more information!
