Sonographer Career Profile

What is a Sonographer?

A Sonographer is a health-care professional that uses medical devices that issue high frequency sounds waves (also known as ultrasound) in order to develop images used to access organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. Ultrasound exams provide key diagnostic information to doctors about a patient’s medical condition and assist in their treatment and care and sonographers are specially trained to perform these types of tests. Two main areas of Sonography are:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - includes fetal, abdominal, pelvic, vascular (blood vessels) and superficial structures and is typically performed in hospital diagnostic imaging departments or outpatient imaging clinics.
• Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - focuses on the heart and is typically performed in either cardiology, or diagnostic imaging departments of hospitals

There are opportunities for sonographers to be dual-credentialed with training in both the above areas.

What is it like working as a Sonographer at the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)?

Sonographers work in hospital and clinical settings throughout the province with the SHA as part of a multidisciplinary health-care team in order to provide the best patient care. Sonographers work in shifts in order to provide health-care coverage based on the needs of the facility or clinic and this may include days, nights, and weekends. Opportunities to grow as a Sonographer include taking advanced courses to work in specialized areas to become duel-credentialed, and pursuing management and leadership positions.

What can I earn as a Sonographer?

The current pay per hour is:

• Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - $41.16 - $44.09
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - $44.19 - $47.34
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Supervisor - $54.77 - $58.69
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Supervisor (Dual-Credentialed) - $58.82 - $63.01

In addition to the above pay bands, the SHA provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Extended Health and Dental benefits
• Defined-Benefit Pension Plan
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Annual Vacation

Sonographers working with the SHA are unionized employees and are members of the following unions based on location:

• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

• Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

• Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU)

How do I become a Sonographer?

A diploma is required to work as a Sonographer in Saskatchewan. One training program is available in Saskatchewan and the province has reserved seats in the South Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) for Saskatchewan students:

• Suncrest College/Red River Polytechnic - Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Diploma
• SAIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Diploma

After completing your program, you will need to pass an exam to obtain your credentials from Sonography Canada.