Which healthcare professional is responsible for performing ultrasound scans?

The sonographer is the healthcare professional specifically trained to perform ultrasound scans. They utilize specialized equipment to create images of the body's internal structures, which is particularly important in prenatal care to monitor the development of a fetus. Sonographers have a profound understanding of the principles of ultrasound technology, the anatomy being examined, and how to ensure the comfort and safety of patients during the procedure.

While nurses, obstetricians, and radiologists play important roles in patient care and may utilize ultrasound technology in their practices, they typically do not perform the scans themselves without additional training. Nurse practitioners may assist in some aspects of patient care but are not specialized in conducting ultrasounds. Obstetricians often interpret the ultrasound results rather than perform the scans. Radiologists do have expertise in imaging, including ultrasounds, but they generally focus on interpreting the images rather than generating them, which is the primary function of a sonographer.