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2015 ARDMS
Musculoskeletal Sonographer
Job Task Analysis Summary Report

© American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

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Table of Contents
ABOUT THE REPORT................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Job Task Analysis (JTA) Working Group ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Survey Questionnaire Development ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Survey Administration ................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Data Analysis................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
SURVEY RESULTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Demographics and Backgrounds of Participants .................................................................................................................................... 4
Country of Practice........................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Educational Background ................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Work Experience .............................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Work Environment .......................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Task Descriptions......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
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Survey Administration
The survey was made available to participants as a web-
ABOUT THE REPORT based survey through the survey platform Qualtrics®. An
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical invitation to participate in the study was sent via email to
Sonography (ARDMS) is the globally recognized standard the members.
of excellence in sonography. It is responsible for the
preparation of valid and reliable certification examinations ARDMS sent the job task analysis survey to all 207
in sonography. The performance of job task analysis (JTA) RMSKS sonographer registrants and 2,946 randomly
at the national level assists ARDMS in evaluating the selected AE, OB, AB and VT registrants. The survey was
current practice expectations and performance made available to the participants for two weeks between
requirements of the specialty. The 2014 Musculoskeletal January 20th and February 03rd, 2015. The participants
(MSK) Sonographer JTA was designed to collect responded anonymously and all responses were kept
information on the sonography-related work activities confidential.
RMSKS sonographer registrants actually perform in
A total of 938 sonographers responded to the survey. Of
practice. The results were used in the development of the
these, 347 (36.9%) reported that they currently perform
test content outline that guides content distribution of the
and/or teach musculoskeletal sonography. The data
MSK Sonographer Examination. This report details the
analysis was based on the responses from the
methodology, data collection & analysis and survey results.
347sonographers. Two of the 347 did not answer all
It also includes the test content outline that resulted from
questions on the survey.
the JTA.

Data Analysis
METHODOLOGY Respondents were asked the following questions for each
of the 128 tasks: How frequently do you perform the task,
and how important is the task in affecting clinical decisions
Job Task Analysis (JTA) Working and patient outcomes? The frequency and importance
Group rating scales were scored 1-5. The response options for the
frequency scale were Never, Rarely, Occasionally, Often,
A JTA Working Group consisting of seven subject matter
and Frequently. The response options for the importance
experts (SMEs) led this project. All seven JTA Working
scale were Not Important, Somewhat Important,
Group members were Exam Development Task Force
Moderately Important, Very Important, and Critically
(EDTF) members and volunteers.
Important.
Survey Questionnaire Development
ARDMS facilitated a process whereby the JTA Working
Group developed the task list and demographic items for
the survey. Tasks and demographic items from previous
MSK job task surveys were used as a starting point in this
development. The JTA Working Group reached a
consensus on a list of 128 tasks to be used in the survey.
These tasks were divided into six domains: (1) Anatomy
and Physiology, (2) Pathology, (3) Integration of Data, (4)
Protocols, (5) Physics & Instrumentation, and (6)
Treatment. All task statements and response options were
relevant to MSK sonographers.

The survey questionnaire was pilot-tested with a group of

seven individuals from the MSK EDTF and volunteers.
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Of exams performed in a month, about 39% conduct at

SURVEY RESULTS least 50 of these related to MSK (Figure 3).

Demographics and Backgrounds of

Participants

Work Experience
Respondents also reported on the number of years they
have been performing MSK sonography. Approximately
63% of the respondents have been performing MSK
sonography for at least 4 years (Figure 1).

Specialty Area
Respondents also reported the specialty area they primarily
work in. About 64% reported that they work in Radiology
(Figure 4). About 90% reported seeing an increased
demand in MSK (Figure 5).

A little over two-thirds (71%) of the respondents also

reported conducting more than 100 DMS exams per
month. Furthermore, only about one-fifth (17%) of the
respondents reportedly perform less than 50 DMS exams
per month (Figure 2).
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Body Regions Scanned

Work Environment The respondents were asked to indicate what percent of
The respondents were asked to indicate the type of time per week on average they perform their MSK
environment they perform most of their MSK sonographic sonographic examinations of different body regions. Most
examinations. The highest frequencies were seen in examinations are performed on the shoulder (Figure 8).
hospitals and imaging centers (Figure 6).

Country of Practice
Of the respondents who reported the country in which
they practice, 43% reported practicing in Canada and 35%
in the United States (Figure 7).
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Task Descriptions
Table 3 contains the Task Summary within Domain. Table 4 contains the preliminary and approved domain breakdowns. For
the complete final content outline please visit http://www.ardms.org/Content%20Outlines/MSKS_Content%20Outline.pdf

Table 3. Task Summary within Domain

General Anatomy and Physiology (43%)

Abdominal wall
Perform general ultrasound of the muscles and fasciae of the abdominal wall
Ankle and foot
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, bursae, fat pads, and joints of the ankle and foot
Perform general ultrasound of the fasciae, ligaments, muscles, retinaculum and tendons of the ankle
and foot
Perform general ultrasound of the neurovascular system of the ankle and foot
Elbow
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, bursae, fat pad, joints and ligaments of the elbow
Perform general ultrasound of the muscles and tendons of the elbow
Perform general ultrasound of the neurovascular system of the elbow
Hand and wrist
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, and joints of the hand and wrist
Perform general ultrasound of the fasciae, muscles, tendons, retinaculum, pulleys, and ligaments of the
hand and wrist
Perform general ultrasound of the neurovascular system of the hand and wrist
Hip, groin, and pelvis
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, bursae, cartilage, tendons, and joints of the hip, groin and
pelvis
Perform general ultrasound of the muscles of the hip, groin, and pelvis
Perform general ultrasound of the lymphatic and neurovascular system of the hip, groin, and pelvis
Perform general ultrasound of the infant hip
Knee
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, bursae, cartilage, and joints of the knee
Perform general ultrasound of the muscles, tendons, retinaculum, and ligaments of the knee
Perform general ultrasound of the neurovascular system of the knee
Shoulder
Perform general ultrasound of the bones, bursae, cartilage, joints, and ligaments of the shoulder
Perform general ultrasound of the muscles and tendons of the shoulder
Perform general ultrasound of the neurovascular system of the shoulder
Soft tissue
Evaluate soft tissue
General Sonographic Pathology (24%)
Abnormal physiology
Evaluate tendon pathology, calcifications, and tears
Evaluate masses
Evaluate fluid collections, e.g., abscess, hematoma
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Evaluate cystic structures

Evaluate hernias
Evaluate soft tissue pathology
Evaluate muscle pathology and tears
Evaluate joint effusions
Evaluate ligament pathology and tears
Evaluate for foreign body
Evaluate subcutaneous abnormalities
Evaluate infections
Evaluate synovitis
Evaluate synovial proliferation
Evaluate neuromas
Evaluate nerve pathology and entrapment
Evaluate for gas within the soft tissue
Evaluate bone pathology and erosion
Evaluate fractures
Evaluate crystal deposits
Evaluate joint laxity/altered function
Integration of Data (10%)
Incorporate outside data
Correlate findings with clinical presentation
Correlate information with previous tests
Perform anatomic assessment during dynamic scanning
Assess postsurgical anatomy and hardware
Differentiate pediatric from adult anatomy
Report results
Report impression of the exam
Serial studies
Follow course of disease with serial ultrasound exams
Evaluate cartilage pathology
Protocols (15%)
Clinical standards and guidelines
Gather clinical history of the patient
Position patient and ultrasound machine
Document and confirm procedures
Recognize the limitations of the prescribed examination based on the findings
Follow ultrasound imaging protocols for musculoskeletal-related studies
Verify the appropriateness of the order
Set up the equipment and the examination room
Assess the physical condition of the patient, focusing on the area to be examined
Communicate with the patient
Communicate ultrasound findings
Generate an initial plan for the examination
Measurement techniques
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Perform measurements
Imaging instruments
Manipulate probe positioning for optimal image acquisition, i.e., anisotropy
Treatment (8%)
Interventional procedures
Maintain aseptic techniques
Assist/support during guidance for interventional procedures
Sonographer role in procedure
Recognize ultrasound findings that require immediate action
Follow postprocedural protocols, i.e., pain assessment and specimen management
Create incident reports when required

Table 4. Content Outline Breakdown by Domain

Domain Approved % of Examination
General Anatomy and Physiology 43%
General Sonographic Pathology 24%
Integration of Data 10%
Protocols 15%
Treatment 8%
Total 100%
Note. Forms built to this outline may not match approved percentages exactly.