“S.O.S.” Shortage of Sonographers Annitta J. Morehead, RDCS, FASE Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, Ohio

The Cardiac Sonographer Courtesy of GE Healthcare Ultrasound

Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics AHA AMA ARDMS/Ultrasoundjobs.com ASE (and ASE Sonographer Council) ASE/ICAEL LDP Echocareers.com GE Healthcare ICAEL Philips Ultrasound SIEMENS Medical Solutions Technology Marketing Group Ultrasound Alliance

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment projection for: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Cardiovascular Technologist Register Nurse 2005 Bureau of Labor Statistics Report Grow is projected faster than average: up 27% or more over next 5 years!

Shortage Impact Recent AHA reports: 42% of hospitals report an “Insufficient number of Ultrasound Technicians” Ultrasound Alliance: 60% sonographer shortage 2001 ASE survey 61% sonographer shortage 2000 survey of Kaiser/Tenet Hospital network: 90% sonographer shortage Consistently 125 Cardiac Sonography Positions posted on ASE’s EchoCarreers.com, and many, many others consistently posted on Ultrasoundjobs.com, and other professional sites. Potential number of vacant Cardiac Sonographer positions equals approximately 50% of 2785 labs, or approximately 1393 positions. Additional graduates needed per school to satisfy the potential vacancies = approximately 1393/108 schools or approximately 13 graduates more per school. Information as of January 2007

Position Vacancies Recent AHA report shows 42% of hospitals report an “Insufficient number of Ultrasound Technicians”

Sonographers Practicing in Specialty Areas (Includes Practice in More Than One Specialty) 2005 Bureau of Labor Statistics Report Indicates Cardiovascular Impact

Sonographer Annual Income $65,000+ by Specialty Area 2005 Bureau of Labor Statistics Report Includes Practice in More Than One Specialty

What Else Influences the Workforce?

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Canada

Vicious Cycle Sonographer Shortage Less Clinical Sites = less students entering work force HIGHER COST!!! More WRMSD Longer Hours More Exams

Vicious Cycle Sonographer Shortage Less Clinical Sites = less students entering work force HIGHER COST!!! More WRMSD Longer Hours More Exams Less time = less opportunity (TDI, 3D, Contrast + IV insertion) Greater chance of WRMSDs Compromising our FUTURE work force VALUE & Credibility: What do you get for your $$$ Quality vs. Quantity Aging Workforce Burnout