Sonographer Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ ATS Skills to Land Interviews
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Not getting sonographer interviews? Your resume is missing critical keywords.
In 2026, over 97% of hospitals and imaging centers use ATS to filter sonographer resumes. Missing terms like "RDMS," "Abdominal Sonography," or "PACS" can instantly disqualify you, even with years of ultrasound experience.
This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved sonographer keywords, organized by specialty, with real examples and optimization strategies.
Table of Contents
- Why Keywords Matter
- Core Sonography Skills
- Specialty Areas
- Equipment & Technology
- Technical Skills
- Certifications
- Role-Specific Keywords
- Examples
- FAQ
Why Sonographer Resume Keywords Matter in 2026
The brutal truth: Diagnostic medical sonography is a highly specialized field. Recruiters and ATS systems scan your resume for evidence that you can perform specific ultrasound procedures, operate advanced equipment, and maintain professional credentials.
Recruiters and ATS systems scan your resume for:
- Core competencies (Diagnostic Ultrasound, Image Acquisition, Patient Positioning)
- Specialty areas (Abdominal, OB/GYN, Vascular, Cardiac, Breast)
- Equipment proficiency (GE, Philips, Siemens, 3D/4D Ultrasound)
- Technical skills (Doppler, PACS, Transducer Selection)
- Certifications (RDMS, RVT, RDCS, ARDMS)
- Compliance (HIPAA, Infection Control, Patient Safety)
If your resume does not match the job's sonography vocabulary, it gets filtered out before a human ever sees it.
The Sonographer Keyword Gap Problem
75% of sonographer resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a recruiter. The #1 reason? Missing specialty certifications, equipment experience, and procedural keywords.
60+ Essential Sonographer Resume Keywords (2026)
Core Sonography Skills & Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Core | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Ultrasound Technician, Sonographer, Medical Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging |
| Imaging | Image Acquisition, Image Quality, Ultrasound Imaging, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Real-Time Imaging |
| Patient Care | Patient Positioning, Patient Preparation, Patient Communication, Patient Comfort, Bedside Manner |
| Documentation | Preliminary Reports, Image Documentation, Medical Records, PACS, Electronic Health Records |
Sonography Specialty Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Abdominal | Abdominal Sonography, Abdominal Ultrasound, Liver, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Spleen, Pancreas |
| OB/GYN | Obstetric Ultrasound, OB/GYN Sonography, Fetal Imaging, Fetal Measurements, Nuchal Translucency, Pelvic Ultrasound |
| Vascular | Vascular Sonography, Vascular Ultrasound, Carotid Doppler, Venous Duplex, Arterial Duplex, DVT Assessment |
| Cardiac | Echocardiography, Cardiac Sonography, Echo, Transthoracic Echo (TTE), Transesophageal Echo (TEE), Stress Echo |
| Breast | Breast Ultrasound, Breast Sonography, Breast Imaging, Mammography Correlation |
| Musculoskeletal | MSK Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Joint Imaging, Soft Tissue Imaging |
| Pediatric | Pediatric Sonography, Neonatal Ultrasound, Infant Imaging, Cranial Ultrasound |
Ultrasound Equipment & Technology Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| GE | GE Ultrasound, GE Logiq, GE Voluson, GE Vivid |
| Philips | Philips Ultrasound, Philips iU22, Philips Epiq 5, Philips Epiq 7, Philips Affiniti |
| Siemens | Siemens Ultrasound, Siemens Acuson, Siemens Sequoia |
| Other Brands | Canon, Mindray, Samsung, SonoSite, Fujifilm |
| Advanced | 3D Ultrasound, 4D Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasound, Color Doppler, Power Doppler, Spectral Doppler |
Technical & Procedural Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Technical | Transducer Selection, Probe Manipulation, Gain Adjustment, Depth Settings, Image Optimization |
| Doppler | Color Flow Doppler, Pulsed Wave Doppler, Continuous Wave Doppler, Spectral Analysis, Velocity Measurements |
| Systems | PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), RIS, HIS, DICOM, HL7 |
| Procedures | Ultrasound-Guided Procedures, Needle Guidance, Biopsies, Paracentesis Support, Thoracentesis Support |
Certifications & Credentials Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| ARDMS | ARDMS, RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer), RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist), RDCS (Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer) |
| Specialty | AB (Abdomen), OB/GYN, BR (Breast), NE (Neurosonology), FE (Fetal Echocardiography) |
| Other | CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International), ARRT, BLS, ACLS |
| Education | CAAHEP Accredited, Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Continuing Medical Education (CME) |
Want to instantly check your missing keywords? Upload your resume and job description to ResumeAdapter.
Role-Specific Keywords
Entry-Level Sonographer Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Foundation | New Graduate, Sonography Student, Clinical Externship, Clinical Rotations |
| Skills | Basic Ultrasound, Patient Care, Image Acquisition, Anatomy Knowledge |
Experienced Sonographer Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Advanced | Lead Sonographer, Senior Sonographer, Multi-Specialty, High-Volume |
| Leadership | Staff Training, Student Mentoring, Quality Assurance, Protocol Development |
Travel Sonographer Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Travel | Travel Sonographer, Per Diem, Contract, Agency, Multi-State License |
| Flexibility | Quick Learner, Adaptable, Various Equipment, Multiple Facilities |
Cardiac Sonographer Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Cardiac Specific | RDCS, Echocardiographer, Echo Tech, Cardiac Imaging, Heart Ultrasound |
| Procedures | Stress Echocardiography, Dobutamine Stress Echo, Contrast Echo, Strain Imaging |
Vascular Sonographer Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Vascular Specific | RVT, Vascular Technologist, Vascular Lab, Non-Invasive Vascular |
| Procedures | Carotid Duplex, Lower Extremity Arterial, Lower Extremity Venous, ABI Testing |
How to Integrate Keywords into Your Resume
Strong Example
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) | Regional Medical Center | 2020 - Present
- Performed 25+ abdominal and OB/GYN ultrasound examinations daily using GE Logiq E10 and Philips Epiq 7 equipment, maintaining 98% image quality scores
- Specialized in high-risk obstetric imaging including nuchal translucency, fetal echocardiography, and detailed anatomy scans for MFM department
- Documented findings in PACS and collaborated with radiologists to ensure accurate preliminary reporting and timely diagnosis
- Trained 5 new sonographers on transducer selection, Doppler techniques, and image optimization protocols
Weak Example
- Did ultrasounds on patients
- Used ultrasound machines
- Worked in imaging department
- Took pictures of organs
Work Setting Keywords
Hospital Sonographer Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Acute Care, Inpatient, Emergency Department, ICU, NICU, Operating Room, Portable Ultrasound, Bedside Imaging |
Outpatient Imaging Center Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Outpatient, Imaging Center, Radiology Group, Diagnostic Center, Scheduled Procedures, High-Volume, Same-Day Results |
OB/GYN Office Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| OB/GYN Practice, Prenatal Care, Women's Health, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Infertility Clinic, IVF, Reproductive Medicine |
FAQ
What are the most important sonographer resume keywords?
The most critical keywords include RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer), Abdominal Sonography, OB/GYN Ultrasound, PACS, and your specific specialty credentials. Include equipment brands (GE, Philips) and technical skills.
How many sonography keywords should I include?
Include 25-35 relevant keywords that match the job description. Focus on your specialty areas (abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, cardiac), certifications, and equipment experience.
Should I list specific ultrasound equipment brands?
Yes. Keywords like GE Ultrasound, Philips iU22, Philips Epiq 7, Siemens, and Canon are valuable. Recruiters often search for specific equipment experience, especially for specialized positions.
What ARDMS certifications should I include?
List all your ARDMS credentials: RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer), RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist), RDCS (Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer). These are the most searched certification keywords.
How do I know which sonographer keywords I am missing?
Upload your resume and the job description to ResumeAdapter and get your missing keywords instantly. Our AI compares your resume against the job posting and shows exactly what is missing.
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