Cardiac sonographers create echocardiacgrams, or images of the heart and blood vessels, using ultrasound technology. Physicians examine echocardiograms to see if there is any evidence of heart disease. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, imaging clinics, and mobile testing units all have openings for cardiac sonographers. With more education, the cardiac sonographer may be able to advance to a management position. Jobs as a sonography instructor are another option.
For cardiac sonographers, a hospital can be a fast-paced environment. Hospital hours are not as consistent as those in other types of jobs. Cardiac sonographers work a variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays. A cardiac sonographer’s job description in a hospital frequently includes verifying physicians’ orders and performing accurate echo exams. Sonographers may be tasked with filing, scheduling, and assisting in other departments.
Cardiac sonographers who work in doctors’ offices or imaging centers have more consistent schedules. They are in charge of carrying out the tests ordered cardiac doctors and confirming the results of electrocardiograms. These workers may be employed the practice or imaging center, or they may be hired on a contract or per diem basis.
For entry-level cardiac sonographer jobs, a two-year degree in sonography from an accredited school is required. Management positions in hospital administration can be obtained through experience and additional education, such as a bachelor’s degree in sonography. Another option for a cardiac sonographer is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.
A bachelor’s degree is usually required for teaching positions in cardiac sonography, and prior teaching experience is often required as well. Instructors in sonography teach in the classroom and provide support to students at clinical sites. They must assess students and provide ongoing feedback to ensure that they meet the requirements for a sonography career.
In most cases, a cardiac sonographer’s job entails taking down patient information, explaining procedures, and writing a preliminary report on findings and observations. A cardiac sonographer can perform both resting echocardiograms and echocardiograms that record stress levels after exercise. For cardiac sonographer jobs, strong critical thinking skills are required. Technical proficiency, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with patients are all essential skills for cardiac sonographers.
High-frequency sound waves are used in sonography to create images of the body. The black and white image is created the echoes of these sound waves. Sonography is used to create images during pregnancy and to examine the conditions of the abdomen, in addition to diagnosing cardiac conditions.