California CareerZone

What They Do

• Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.

• Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.

• Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.

• Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.

• Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.

• Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

• Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.

• Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.

• Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.

• Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.