I’m a sonographer in a public hospital. I use ultrasound to scan people to find diseases, cancers, injuries, any abnormalities in children, fetuses, and adults.

I arrive half an hour early every day in order to get all my machines, bookings, and reporting systems up and running. I look over my booked patients for the day, to make sure I don’t need any special equipment such as injection supplies or patient hoists, etc. Then I start scanning patients and reporting the results to the referrer.

Pros: It’s very satisfying to be able to help patients on their health journey. I can either reassure them or if I find something that needs further attention, I can help make it happen for them with my report. I spend up to 30 minutes with each patient, so I often bond with people in that time. I have had to deliver very bad news to people at times, and they often thank me and hug me because they finally have an answer to their problem. I always find this very humbling and upsetting.

Cons: It is exhausting because you have to be there, right next to every person you deal with. When I go home, I just want to be quiet and rest.

Laura Horton, MSc. is the founder of Hound101.com, a website that helps you to be your dog’s best friend. She is also a registered health professional with many years’ experience in diagnostic imaging, teaching, and health research.