Department of Labor: Diagnostic medical sonographers are also known as ultrasonographers. They use special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. Viewing the screen during the scan, sonographers look for subtle visual cues that contrast healthy areas from unhealthy ones. They decide whether the images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and select which ones to show to the physician.

Career Path	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Lead Instructor Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Median Base Wage Rate: $24.97(www.sdms.org)
Schools and Costs	Boise State University Certificate or Bachelor of Science Cost: 2002 - $4,692 non-resident per semester Bellevue Community College 2-year Associate Degree Cost: 2002 - $721.60 per quarter tuition Tacoma Community College 4-year certification for radiologic technologists (RT) Cost: 2001 - $601.70 per quarter tuition Seattle University Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Cost: 2001 - $5,955 per quarter tuition Oregon Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science Cost: 2001 - $4,220 non-resident per quarter
Scholarships	see your college's financial aid office
Regional Needs	US projects for 2010 - 16,000