One of the most difficult things when trying to achieve a dream career is when the skill set you posses cannot meet the requirements of the occupation you want. Wanting a career in medicine, not necessarily a career of a medical doctor, has been a dream of many children but as they grow older and realize that it takes so much more than simply wanting to be something but rather becoming something.
Sonography is one of those healthcare career choices where a lot of skills are learned on the job but the characteristics of someone who works in health care is something you have to have beforehand. Compassion and love for learning are two of the most basic characteristics that you need in order to pursue a career in sonography. There are numerous ultrasound programs in California available, accredited by CAAHEP in 2014.
Sonography is one of those healthcare career choices where a lot of skills are learned on the job but the characteristics of someone who works in health care is something you have to have beforehand. Compassion and love for learning are two of the most basic characteristics that you need in order to pursue a career in sonography. There are numerous ultrasound programs in California available, accredited by CAAHEP in 2014.
Compassion
Compassion is a characteristic of people who are able to empathize with others, or at the least be able to understand the suffering (or other feelings actually) that a person is going through. Sonographers talk to patients on a day-to-day basis, learning about their lives and most often, their illness. For sonographers who are compassionate, it is easier to offer comfort and support to patients who are ill.
There are days when sonographers only have to deal with patients who are healthy and just came in for a routine check-up. But most of the time, especially for sonographers who work in a hospital, the majority of patients they see are sick. These patients need a lot of compassion from the sonographers and other providers that manage their care.
Compassion is a characteristic of people who are able to empathize with others, or at the least be able to understand the suffering (or other feelings actually) that a person is going through. Sonographers talk to patients on a day-to-day basis, learning about their lives and most often, their illness. For sonographers who are compassionate, it is easier to offer comfort and support to patients who are ill.
There are days when sonographers only have to deal with patients who are healthy and just came in for a routine check-up. But most of the time, especially for sonographers who work in a hospital, the majority of patients they see are sick. These patients need a lot of compassion from the sonographers and other providers that manage their care.
Interpersonal skills
Because patient interaction is unavoidable, as a sonographer you have to be able to talk comfortably with patients while maintaining a sense of professionalism. The sonographer has to develop a flow of conversation with the patients, especially for people who are nervous about the procedure. When you sonography, it is emphasized that communication is a two-way street. A sonographer who is good at communication will make their patients feel very comfortable with the right amount of conversation, taking note never to be overbearing.
Detail-oriented
The sonography procedure involves the use of a transducer that sends sound waves through the body. When the waves bounce off of solid structures, it creates images that can be viewed on the monitor and can be printed out. Because these images are created by sound, the sonographer has to be very detail oriented and able to analyze the black and white images well. Much of the ability of a sonographer to discern images in a sonogram is learned on the job but orientation to detail is an important characteristic that all a person should have even while he or she is still training to be a sonographer.
Love for learning
Possibly the most important characteristic a sonographer should have is a love for learning. Sonography is an ever growing field, with new discoveries and technological advancements made. Sonographers therefore need to constantly update their knowledge and skills regarding the procedure. The best places to enroll in sonography programs in California are in top accredited colleges.
Because patient interaction is unavoidable, as a sonographer you have to be able to talk comfortably with patients while maintaining a sense of professionalism. The sonographer has to develop a flow of conversation with the patients, especially for people who are nervous about the procedure. When you sonography, it is emphasized that communication is a two-way street. A sonographer who is good at communication will make their patients feel very comfortable with the right amount of conversation, taking note never to be overbearing.
Detail-oriented
The sonography procedure involves the use of a transducer that sends sound waves through the body. When the waves bounce off of solid structures, it creates images that can be viewed on the monitor and can be printed out. Because these images are created by sound, the sonographer has to be very detail oriented and able to analyze the black and white images well. Much of the ability of a sonographer to discern images in a sonogram is learned on the job but orientation to detail is an important characteristic that all a person should have even while he or she is still training to be a sonographer.
Love for learning
Possibly the most important characteristic a sonographer should have is a love for learning. Sonography is an ever growing field, with new discoveries and technological advancements made. Sonographers therefore need to constantly update their knowledge and skills regarding the procedure. The best places to enroll in sonography programs in California are in top accredited colleges.