The Profession
Who They Are
A diagnostic medical sonographer specifically trained in echocardiography is an echocardiographer or cardiac sonographer. Echocardiography (echo) is the use of ultrasound to assess the anatomy of the heart and blood vessels.
What They Do
A typical day involves reviewing the patient's history, performing the echo examination along with blood pressure, and presenting the echo findings to the physician and other allied health staff. Cardiac sonographers also help teach other student sonographers and medical residents-in-training and are expected to continually learn new technology and disease processes. A cardiac sonographer performs approximately six echoes per day on patients.
Where They Work
Cardiac sonographers work in hospitals, clinics, private offices, and in industry. This career may include evenings, weekends, and time on call.
Outlook
Echocardiography as a career is growing much faster than average. In the next ten years, the number of jobs is supposed to increase by 14%. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics