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Your role as a sonographer
As a sonographer, you'll use ultrasound equipment to help diagnose patients and to guide medical procedures.
Your role will include:
- taking images and measurements of people's organs, soft tissue and pregnancies
- explaining to other health professionals what the images show
- showing live images so a specialist can see what they're doing during procedures.
How a sonographer is different from a radiographer
Sonographers and radiographers both use medical imaging to diagnose patients. The main difference is the type of equipment they use. Sonographers take images using ultrasound (high frequency sound waves). Radiographers use x-ray (ionizing electromagnetic radiation) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
What your day might look like
Our sonographers work in emergency departments, hospital wards, operating theatres, specialist clinics and BreastScreen Queensland, and provide outreach (rural and remote) services.
You'll use ultrasound for checking:
- how babies are developing inside the womb
- that important systems in the body are functioning normally, including circulation, reproductive organs and the urinary system
- for abnormalities, clots, tumours or blockages.
You'll be responsible for making sure the images you take are clear and show the right areas so doctors can use them to make a diagnosis.
Learn more about working as a sonographer on Your Career.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or postgraduate qualification that's accredited by the Australian Sonography Accreditation Registry.
Professional registration
Eligible for registration with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR)
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at health professional grade HP3, pay point 1. You’ll get a different rate if you’re in a higher level role.
We also offer:
- a sonographer development allowance
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging
- help with ongoing professional development costs.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
You may also be able to get financial incentives and other benefits if you work in rural and remote areas.
Read about our opportunities for rural allied health careers.
Professional growth
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an essential part of being a sonographer. You'll have opportunities to build CPD points through:
- in-house education sessions
- attending conferences
- research
- education and training with the Clinical Skills Development Service and the Cunningham Centre.
Career paths
Doing more training after you become a sonographer can lead to other roles such as:
- Radiographer - to gain accreditation in this profession, further postgraduate study is required
- Breast Imaging
- Clinical educator
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.