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Diane Johnson, RDMS, Lead Sonographer, Diagnotistic Radiology Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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1. I chose this career because...
2. My typical workday involves...
3. What I like best/least about my work...
4. My career goals are...
5. When I'm not working, I like to...
6. Possibilities and rewards of the career...
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1. I chose this career because...
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Diane Johnson performs a sonography procedure on a patient that takes about 30 minutes to complete.
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I chose to become a sonographer because it gave me a new challenge in my medical career. After completing high school, I knew I wanted to work in the medical field. I attended the medical technology program at Morgan State University. After three years, I decided that I did not care for work in the laboratory and preferred working directly with people. I considered becoming a paramedic, or entering the Job Corps (http://jobcorps.dol.gov/). Ultimately, I came home to Washington D.C. and entered the radiology program at the University of the District of Columbia.
I completed the required courses and the one-year clinical training in local hospitals.
My first job was at the Alexandria Hospital. I then worked at the National Naval Medical Center as a civilian employed in x-ray technology. Eventually, I wanted a change and pursed training to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Pennsylvania. After completing my certification, I came to work at the NIH.
College Education
Certification
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2. My typical workday involves...
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Doppler Color Flow technology is used to analyze the colored images on the computer monitor that indicate blood flow in the body area being examined.
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My typical workday involves assisting physicians in the protocols (or clinical research studies, http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/) that bring patients to the NIH for treatment.
Medical sonographery tasks:
- Perform abdominal scans and gynecological exams
- Conduct vascular studies, studying the veins and arteries, looking for stenosis (a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice)
- Assist our surgeons with procedures such as locating tumors in the brain, liver, and other areas in the body using color flow Doppler. In this process, a water-soluble gel is placed on the transducer (a handheld device that directs the high-frequency sound waves to the artery or vein being tested) and the skin over the veins of the extremity being tested. There is a "swishing" sound on the Doppler if the venous (vein) system is normal. An untrasound image is produced on the computer screen.
Administrative tasks:
- Update administrative details, such as timesheets and requests for leave
- Review the list of scheduled patients (Our department consists of 4 sonographers who rotate performing the procedures as requested by the radiologists. We see a patient about every half hour.)
- Trouble shoot procedures that are not giving clear results
- Work closely with the radiologist to document all information we gather on the patients
Knowledge and abilitites necessary:
- Knowledge of human anatomy, especially the circulatory system
- Ability to treat patients with compassion and kindness, and giving comfort
- Ability to accrue 35 continuing education credits every year to keep abreast of the latest technology and to complete certification in CPR (a requirement of all hospital employees)
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