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Career Profile: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Diane Johnson

I chose this career because…

I chose to become a sonographer because it gave me a new challenge in my medical career. After completing high school, I knew I wanted to work in the medical field. I attended the medical technology program at Morgan State University. After three years, I decided that I did not care for work in the laboratory and preferred working directly with people. I considered becoming a paramedic, or entering the Job Corps (http://jobcorps.dol.gov/). Ultimately, I came home to Washington D.C. and entered the radiology program at the University of the District of Columbia. I completed the required courses and the one-year clinical training in local hospitals.

My first job was at the Alexandria Hospital. I then worked at the National Naval Medical Center as a civilian employed in x-ray technology. Eventually, I wanted a change and pursed training to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Pennsylvania. After completing my certification, I came to work at the NIH.

College Education
• Medical Technician program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD (completion of 3 years)
• Associate in Applied Science, Medical Radiology, X-Ray Technician Certification, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

My typical work day involves…

My typical workday involves assisting physicians in the protocols (or clinical research studies, http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/) that bring patients to the NIH for treatment.

Medical sonographery tasks:

• Perform abdominal scans and gynecological exams
• Conduct vascular studies, studying the veins and arteries, looking for stenosis (a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice)
• Assist our surgeons with procedures such as locating tumors in the brain, liver, and other areas in the body using color flow Doppler. In this process, a water-soluble gel is placed on the transducer (a handheld device that directs the high-frequency sound waves to the artery or vein being tested) and the skin over the veins of the extremity being tested. There is a “swishing” sound on the Doppler if the venous (vein) system is normal. An untrasound image is produced on the computer screen.

Administrative tasks:

• Update administrative details, such as timesheets and requests for leave
• Review the list of scheduled patients (Our department consists of 4 sonographers who rotate performing the procedures as requested by the radiologists. We see a patient about every half hour.)
• Trouble shoot procedures that are not giving clear results
• Work closely with the radiologist to document all information we gather on the patients

Knowledge and abilitites necessary:

• Knowledge of human anatomy, especially the circulatory system
• Ability to treat patients with compassion and kindness, and giving comfort
• Ability to accrue 35 continuing education credits every year to keep abreast of the latest technology and to complete certification in CPR (a requirement of all hospital employees)

What I like best/least about my work…

What I like best about my work are the patients, especially when I see an improvement in their health. My greatest thrill is to see a patient walk out of my clinic with improved health and knowing that they can make plans for the future.

What I like least about my work is to lose a patient to their disease.

What my career goals are…

My career goals are to become certified in echocardiography (the use of ultrasound to examine and measure the structure and functioning of the heart, and to diagnose abnormalities and disease). An echocardiogram is a test that converts sound waves into images. It allows doctors to see the heart beating and view details of heart structures. There are 11 different specialties in sonography, but adult echocardiography certification interests me most.

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