Job description Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) in the Lower Mainland–Southwest Region

Find out what work is like for a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Medical sonographers (NOC 32122).

Medical sonographers

Description

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. They are employed in clinics and hospitals. Medical sonographers who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Medical sonographers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Medical sonographers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body requiring examination
  • Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen, to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images, and make adjustments to equipment, as required
  • Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
  • Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure patient safety and comfort
  • Prepare examination reports for physicians to aid in the monitoring of pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
  • Perform quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to ensure proper operation and perform minor repairs and adjustments as required
  • May supervise and train students and other medical sonographers.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Walking and running
  • Sitting
  • Standing

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Medical sonographers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Biological agents

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Physically touching or very close

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 32122), and a list of similar occupations:

  • diagnostic medical sonography instructor
  • medical sonographer
  • medical sonographers supervisor
  • registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
  • ultrasound technologist

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Medical sonographers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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