How sonographers act as ‘eyes’ for radiologists
The diagnostic medical sonography field is expected to grow 18.9 percent over the next 10 years, and it is estimated to have more than 480 openings over that same time period in Minnesota, according to the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Two Minnesota high school students, intrigued by St. Cloud Technical & Community College’s two-year associate program, spoke with two imaging specialists— Naomi Baker, a registered diagnostic medical sonographer at St. Cloud Hospital in Minnesota, and Maryann Burrows, a sonographer and ultrasound supervisor at the hospital, as part of the St. Cloud Times’ Spark: Igniting Your Future project.
The group discussed the importance of sonographers in medicine and how to gain valuable work experience in the position.
“Our job is to describe it, not diagnose it. You are the eyes for the radiologist," Baker said in the story. "A lot of people say ‘you just take pictures’ but it’s really a lot more than that. If I don’t show that in my picture, then they don’t know that that’s there."
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.