What is the difference between a top rated and an exceptional sonographer? Exceptional sonographers in 2017 are men and women the patients remember, the physicians ask for, and the coworkers enjoy working with on a regular basis. What characteristics do these ultrasound techs possess that set them apart from other healthcare professionals who are doing a good but not exceptional job? The answer is found in a mix of personal and professional skills that are expertly applied.
Right Blend of Skills
A great sonographer is top rated by supervisors, goes above and beyond the call of duty, applies technical skills with accuracy and can work well with patients and staff. The top rated ultrasound technicians have great communication skills and often volunteer for extra duty when there is a staffing shortage.
It is difficult to believe that anyone could be more than top rated, but ratings and success are not necessarily connected at every point. A person can apply technical skills with great accuracy, but that does not mean the person can explain procedures to patients without difficulty. A sonographer may have excellent communication skills but fail to keep industry knowledge up to date.
Beyond the Training
Top rated sonographers are professionals who can do an excellent job and are well-liked due to their personality traits. An exceptional sonographer is one who rises above the job specifics and becomes a true inspiration to others. It is a person who exhibits leadership skills in every aspect of sonographer jobs.
Following are 10 of the unique skills an exceptional ultrasound technician possesses.
Leadership
The ultrasound technician shows leadership at all times, even when there are no people to supervise. The professional leads others by influence and accuracy in work performed.
Always Ready to Learn
The exceptional sonographer never stops learning. All job training and development opportunities are embraced, but the ultrasound technician also learns from experience and other qualified staff. The knowledge is used to further strengthen the ability to deliver exceptional services.
Ability to Coordinate
The sonographer works well on a healthcare team and serves as a link between the imaging department, patient and other healthcare professionals. The exceptional sonographer is able to transmit patient concerns and condition to team member. Through team participation, the sonographer develops a much broader perspective on patient care and fully utilizes the knowledge to improve service delivery in every way possible.
Intuitive
The ultrasound tech uses intuition in a way that regularly benefits patients, like instinctively knowing when to calm the patient or when to take more images. The professional collects clues from patients and expertly turns them into a cohesive set of solutions for one or more problems.
Possesses Critical Thinking Skills
The sonographer uses objective analysis, calling upon experiences and training, to form a reasonable and defensible judgment.
Deeply Believes
The sonographer has no doubts about personal capabilities and is always looking for ways to use them to benefit others. He or she has full confidence that ultrasound imaging can help patients live healthier, long lives.
Creative
The sonographer is able to use a self-directed approach for locating the correct images to take by successfully blending instincts and training.
Inspirational
Other people see the sonographer as an inspiration in their careers and their ability to succeed. The sonographer’s inspirational attitude and efforts are a reminder to others that working in healthcare should be a passion as much as it is a job.
Problem Solver
The sonographer has problem-solving skills that go beyond the typical level of skills that all sonographers possess, enabling the development of strong interpersonal relationships with patients and healthcare professionals.
Patience
The sonographer has extraordinary patience with patients and their family members, physicians, coworkers, hospital staff, radiographer and others.
There is plenty of advice on how to become a sonographer, but it is also important to strive to become an exceptional ultrasound technician. Schooling is just the first step.
Matter of Degree and Exceptionalism
A degree or certificate from a CAAHEP accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will net the beginning sonographer salary of $48,660 annually per the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2016 occupational survey. A top rated sonographer with experience can earn an average of $82,320 annually. An exceptional ultrasonographer’s top pay is an average salary of $99,100. | See Job Openings
In other words, exceptional sonographers are exceptional in every way.