Sonography

  • ​​Sonographers are highly trained medical imaging practitioners that perform specialised diagnostic investigations using an ultrasound machine (Australasian Sonographers Association, 2018). Ultrasound tests are used to diagnose and guide management of medical conditions. Sonographers capture and record sonographic images while tailoring the examination based on the anatomical and physiological characteristics of a patient. They are responsible for patient care, assessment, communication to the patient/family and subsequent actions based on the examination. Sonographers also assist the radiologist by generating a written interim report exploring diagnoses for the radiologist's reference. Sonography training pathways can be as dual qualified radiographers or sonographer qualifications only.

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    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health sonography workforce in 2040

    994
    Headcount

    69.5%
    Female

    29.5
    Work hours per week

    45.1
    Years average age

    11.6%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 2.8% (low demand scenario) to 3.4% (high demand scenario).

    Significant career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to  grow the NSW sonography workforce by around 14 to 21 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.

    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health sonography workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand310313318328349369388405421437450
    		463476488500510520529538547
    Status Quo310312316324330336342346349352354356358360362363364364364365
    Low Demand310313318328345361377390403415425435445454463471478484491497

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health sonography workforce in 2021

    540
    Headcount

    22.0
    Work hours per week

    43.8
    Years average age

    77.0%
    Female

    2.9%
    Aged 60+

    0.7%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    306
    Headcount

    23.1
    Work hours per week

    42.8
    Years average age

    2.9%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    232
    Headcount

    21.0
    Work hours per week

    45.0
    Years average age

    2.6%
    Aged 60+

    Sonography junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year20172018201920202021
    GraduatesNA12NANA34

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health sonography workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 10 to 20 | 2 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0 | 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 0 | 0 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • Population demographics and increasing incidence of complex and chronic disease may increase demand for sonography services.
    • Sonographers in NSW Health are classified depending on the training pathway and level of qualification.
    • The availability and quality of training and clinical placements for student sonographers is a significant driver affecting the supply of workforce.
    • Allied health educator roles and continuing professional development opportunities may improve the experience and retention of the sonography workforce.
    • Attracting and retaining talent in rural and remote areas is dependent on rural university training and clinical placement pathways.

    Notes

    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development