What Are the Best Career Opportunities for Sonographers?
In today’s economy, it is important to realize sonography is a career in which employment is growing faster than the average for all occupations listed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, employment in sonography is expected to increase by about 19 percent through 2016 and job prospects are predicted to remain favorable. That makes it far more likely that you will be able to get a job right after you finish your education in sonography.
Another great thing about sonography is the variety of specializations you can choose from in college, all preparing you for unique careers within sonography. While many students choose general sonography, learning how to focus equipment on various parts of the body, others choose to specialize in specific areas. Here are a few examples of hot jobs in sonography:
- OB/GYN sonography—within this branch, the sonographer could be responsible for evaluating the growth of a fetus’ head, body and limbs to help assess its progress in a pregnant woman. The sonographer keeps a close eye out for abnormalities in the fetus or placenta. The sonographer also gets to share in the joy of parents-to-be hearing their unborn child’s heartbeat for the first time. In this career path, a sonographer can also help detect abnormalities in the female reproductive system of non-pregnant women as well. Many times, sonography assists in the early detection of ovarian cancer and other diseases in the pelvic area.
- Vascular sonography—within this branch, the sonographer is responsible for evaluating the heart and blood vessels. Some even use doppler sonography , a special form of ultrasound, to get a closer idea of blood flow. This helps identify vascular programs and assesses the quality of vital blood flow to the heart.
- Neurosonography—within this branch, the sonographer is responsible for looking at the inner structures of the brain and can help a patient by identifying any abnormalities, like tumors and masses, which are can be more easily operable if discovered early.
- Ophthalmic sonography—within this branch, the sonographer is responsible for examining the eye for abnormalities like detached retinas, deep hemorrhages and even tumors.
- Veterinary sonography—within this branch, the sonographer can even use his or her training to identify abnormalities in animals.