According to the Government of Canada Job bank, Job opportunities for Medical Sonographers are good in Alberta over the next 3 years. Note that the current 2019-2021 employment prospects were published in December 2019 based on information available at that time. The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of body organs, masses and fetuses.
Diagnostic medical sonographers work as part of a health care team. The team may include doctors, nurses and other medical technologists. Ultrasound is used to:
In general, they:
Diagnostic medical sonographers may do shift work, including some evenings and weekends. They may also be on call.
Sonographers often work with patients who are anxious. They assist patients on and off examining tables. They may experience unpleasant sights and odours, and medically stressful situations. Working in awkward positions can cause repetitive strain injuries.
Medical sonographers need to have:
They should enjoy:
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
In 2016 the Health Professions Act [pdf] was amended to include sonographers under the Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists (ACMDTT). Regulations are being developed and it is expected sonography will become a regulated profession in the near future.
Upon becoming regulated, all sonographers must be approved by ACMDTT to work in the profession and should use the diagnostic medical sonographer title or DMS credential. Sonographers who wish to use the CRGS®, CRCS®, or CRVS® credentials must be members in good standing of Sonography Canada.
Ultrasound does not expose patients to known hazards (such as ionizing radiation). As a result, its use in medicine is growing rapidly. Ultrasound is used in:
Most diagnostic medical sonographers work in hospitals or private clinics.
In Alberta, 93% of people employed as medical sonographers work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.