Medical sonographers
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to complete an investigation, producing and recording images of various parts of the body to help physicians diagnose cardiac, vascular and other medical disorders. They work in clinics and hospitals.
Medical sonographers who are supervisors, educators and researchers are included in this group.
Job Titles
Duties
In general, medical sonographers:
- Complete ultrasound assessments while producing diagnostic images and measurements
- Monitor and evaluate the quality and consistency of the diagnostic images
- Make sure patients are safe and comfortable during examinations
- Prepare preliminary reports of examination findings for interpreting physicians
- Assist with invasive and non-invasive interventional procedures such as biopsies and drainages
- Perform sonography related administrative tasks and duties
- Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
- Ensure equipment is meeting safety standards and identify any repairs or adjustments needed
- May supervise and train medical sonographers and other health care professionals such as radiology and obstetric residents
There are three areas of accreditation in medical sonography:
- A generalist sonographer is certified to examine the abdomen, male and female pelvis, peripheral veins (for blood clots), thyroid and scrotum
- A cardiac sonographer is certified to examine cardiac anatomy and function
- A vascular sonographer is certified to examine the abdominal vessels, arteries and veins of the head, neck and upper and lower limbs
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
870% Employed Full Time
67%Medical sonographers interact directly with patients in hospitals or clinics. Work takes place in an indoor medical environment.
Sonography is a physically demanding profession and can often lead to musculoskeletal injury. Medical sonographers may be exposed to bacteria or viruses that could cause illness.
Career Pathways
With education, experience and training, medical sonographers can expand their expertise to pediatrics, neonatal/pediatric echocardiography, musculoskeletal (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons), breast, neurosonology (brain) and high-risk obstetrics.
Sonographers may also become department leads, supervisors, educators, researchers, application specialists (experts in sonographic machines) or sales representatives with medical equipment companies.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Medical sonographers trained in B.C.:
- Must complete a diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology program from an accredited Canadian institution
- May need credential(s) from Sonography Canada
Medical sonography programs vary in both prerequisites needed and delivery formats, so it is best to research several to determine which is best suited to each student’s needs.
Sonography is not a regulated health profession in B.C., which means each employer determines its hiring requirements. Typically, employers’ requirements align with the provincial diagnostic accreditation program standards and most jobs require accreditation through Sonography Canada or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
For internationally trained medical sonographers whose employers require credential(s) from Sonography Canada, a written exam and clinical skills assessment may be needed as part of an alternate pathway to practising in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
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.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
870Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 2.3% |
| Kootenay | 35 | 4.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 560 | 64.7% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 15 | 1.7% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 85 | 9.8% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 150 | 17.3% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
560Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 1.4% |
| Kootenay | 20 | 1.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 370 | 2.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 40 | 2.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 120 | 2.3% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 550 |
Insights from Industry
Medical sonographers are in demand in B.C. due to vacancies and a growing demand for ultrasound examinations in patient care. This career ranks highly in job security and opportunities to grow into a full range of skills and abilities.
Being a medical sonographer is a physically demanding profession which can often lead to work related musculoskeletal injury. Up to 90 percent of medical sonographers experience injury symptoms during their career.
Resources
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Sonography Canadawww.sonographycanada.ca/
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Sonography Canada – Jobssonographycanada.ca/resources/jobs
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American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)www.ardms.org/
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see a day in the life of a medical sonographer.
Watch the video below to see a day in the life of a medical sonographer.
