From X-Ray to Ultrasound: Building Stronger Imaging Skills in Practice

Kimberly King, CVT, shares her unique path into veterinary medicine and why imaging became her professional passion. Now at Veterinary Diagnostic Centers, Kim helps run the Schaumburg location and is training to become an ultrasound sonographer. She walks listeners through what a fear-free, one-patient-at-a-time ultrasound practice looks like, including how cases are supported and how results get back to the primary veterinarian. Kim also offers practical radiology tips for veterinary teams, with an emphasis on obtaining the right view for the clinical question, improving image quality, and avoiding the “catagram” approach whenever possible. The conversation highlights hands-free radiology fundamentals, positioning tools, and when sedation can help teams get diagnostic images safely and efficiently. Kim also speaks candidly about VTNE test anxiety, her own experience retesting, and how preparation includes both content review and test-taking strategies. 

Bio

Kimberly King, CVT, began her animal career in wildlife and zoological settings before transitioning into small animal practice. After years in general practice and a strong interest in diagnostic imaging, she joined Veterinary Diagnostic Centers, where she runs the Schaumburg location and is training to become an ultrasound sonographer. She is also an instructor for the ISVMA VTNE Master Class program, focusing on radiology and safety. 

In this episode

•  Kim’s career path from big cat internships and zoo work to becoming a CVT in Chicagoland 
•  What a fear-free, owner-present, ultrasound-only clinic model looks like day to day 
•  Radiology fundamentals: take the right image for the right diagnostic question, not “whole body and hope” 
•  Hands-free radiology: positioning tools, efficiency, and when sedation supports safety and better images 
•  VTNE reality check: test anxiety, retesting, and preparing your mindset along with the material