Aaron Lasmann

ISM Period 7

ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:

Aaron Lassmann

Printed Name of Person

Interviewed:
Role of Individual:

Period:

7th

Connie Xie
___Mentor

_X_Other Professional #1

___Other Professional #2

Place of Business:

University of Texas Medical Branch - Echocardiography Lab

Business Address:

1001 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77555

Phone Number:

(409) 772-5353

Date of Interview:

11/12/2015

Type of Interview: _X_ In Person ___ Telephone* ___Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
There are no real fantasies to the job, only the happy realities. I am able to work with patients and assist the doctor
in diagnosing. There is generally an adequate amount of time for all tasks, and the job is stable. There is plenty of
time to balance out both work and family.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)
In China, I have the equivalent of an MD, but chose to take an easier job over here. Generally for a cardiac
sonographer, an undergraduate degree of some form is required along with licensure and registration with a
relevant organization. Training is always occurring with the new development of technology and techniques.
Recertification is also necessary about every 3 years.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)
The generally daily activities revolve around the patients scheduled for that day. The types of echocardiography
performed may vary from a routine echo to a stress test or a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). The amount
of work may vary depending on the number of patients scheduled, but the work activities are pretty much
constant.
4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
I feel very secure in my position as chief sonographer; my job is useful and always needed. The future of
echocardiography is very bright. It is currently the go to test for heart diagnostics. Heart disease is the number two
killer in the US, so echocardiography will continually be needed, especially as the population ages.

Aaron Lasmann
ISM Period 7
5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
The typical salary for a sonographer ranges from around $45,000 to $90,000. The salary can vary by field,
location, experience, training, and institution type.
6. What potential for growth is there in your field?
(growth potential)
There are numerous areas of potential growth for echocardiography with many new technological developments.
Strain and 3D echocardiography are just a couple of the main developing areas. New detailed and specified fields
with continuing research hints at many untapped growth potentials.
7. What is the best part of your job?
The best is being able to take care of patients and assisting the formation of a diagnosis, potentially saving lives.
For instance, once I found a valve infection in a 37 year old man whom you would assume to be healthy by
looking at him. This diagnosis likely saved his life as the infection would likely have spread to the brain and other
areas.
8. What is one part of your job you wish you could change?
I do what like; there is nothing I would change. If there was, I would find a different job or career that doesnt
have that problem.
9. What motivated you to choose your current career?
I have always liked the heart. Sonography allows me to pursue this passion while also having the pleasure of
helping patients on a daily basis. The heart affects everything, so by helping to make that healthier I give my
patients better and more enjoyable lives.
10. If you could go back, would you choose the same career again?

Yes, I love everything about my career and would most certainly go back and choose the same career
again.