Medical sonographers (NOC 3216)

Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and other medical disorders.

Medical sonographers who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group.

Want to learn more? Watch this WorkBC Career Trek video and see what it’s like to work in this type of career.

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Medical sonographer

Source: WorkBC's Career Trek

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Medical sonographers:

• run ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body needing examination
• monitor  examination by viewing images on video screen to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images
• make adjustments to equipment as needed
• record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
• make sure patients are safe and comfortable during examinations
• prepare examination reports for physicians to help monitor pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
• do quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to make sure they operate properly
• do minor repairs and adjustments to equipment as needed
• may supervise and train student and other medical sonographers

Special duties

Medical sonographers may specialize in abdominal, cardiac, cerebral, obstetrical and gynaecological, ophthalmic, intraluminal or peripheral vascular sonography.  They may also specialize in adult or pediatric echocardiography or neurosonology.

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work takes place in an indoor medical environment.
• Workers may be exposed to bacteria or viruses that could cause illness.