Sonography Week 2024 (October 7-11) is an opportunity to recognize the profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) which plays a vital role in the care and treatment of community members of all ages.

A sonographer uses an instrument called a transducer (or probe) on a patient over the area of the body under investigation. Sound waves are emitted and received and the ultrasound machine determines the size, shape and consistency of soft tissues which is then relayed in real-time to a computer screen producing an image.

Sonographers are medical detectives. They use their ultrasound training, technical skills, and understanding of the human body and its systems to decide if structures are normal or abnormal and adapt their investigation as they find clues throughout an examination. They also use patient history, lab work and previous studies in their role. The imaging information they obtain is then used by doctors to determine the necessary treatment or next steps for the patient.

The quality of an ultrasound exam is very dependent on the skills of the sonographer who completed the scan. As such, sonography is a growing profession and sonographers are in demand in hospitals, medical imaging clinics and tertiary healthcare facilities. Sonographers can also be employed as educators, researchers or application specialists.

At TBRHSC, sonographers are employed in the Diagnostic Imaging department and perform numerous general, vascular and cardiac ultrasounds.

For more information visit the Sonography Canada Website at https://sonographycanada.ca or stop by the information display in the cafeteria during Sonography Week 2024 to ask questions about the dynamic career of a sonographer.