Which medical professional typically performs a diagnostic ultrasound?

A sonographer is the medical professional who specializes in performing diagnostic ultrasounds. This role involves using specialized equipment to produce images of internal body structures by utilizing high-frequency sound waves. Sonographers are trained to capture and analyze the images, ensuring that they are of high quality and suitable for interpretation by a physician.

The sonographer plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process; they must understand the anatomy and physiology relevant to the examination and how to position patients properly for optimal imaging. After acquiring the images, they may also provide preliminary findings but typically do not interpret the results; that is usually the responsibility of a radiologist or another physician.

This specialization in ultrasound technology distinguishes sonographers from other healthcare professionals, such as radiologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, who may work within the realm of diagnostics but do not perform ultrasounds themselves.