Admission
The Cardiac Sonography program is a limited enrollment program with selected admission based on application and interview scores.
All persons seeking admission to the A.A.S. Degree Program in Cardiac Sonography:
- Must be fully admitted to BridgeValley Community and Technical College. This includes the submission of ACT or SAT scores, official high school transcripts or GED/TASC score reports and official transcripts from all previous colleges attended.
- Must complete Sonography pre-requisite courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher prior to beginning a sonography program.
- Must complete a cardiac program application with required supporting documentation. The application is located on the BridgeValley Community
- and Technical College website. The application must be submitted prior to the deadline noted on the application.
- Must have documentation of sonographer shadowing/observation experience.
- TEAS exam: https://www.atitesting.com/solutions/pre-program/teas-for-nursing-and-allied-health.aspx
- Minimum score of 50 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) VI – Must be taken within the last 3 years
Initial Applicant Scoring:
- Applicant scoring is based on the following criteria:
- Pre-requisite GPA
- Grades in the core sonography cores: A&P I, A&P II, Physics, and Introduction to Sonography
- Allied health certification
- Patient care experience
- Educational degrees
- Veteran status
- Shadowing/observation experience
- TEAS score of 50 or higher
Interview Scoring:
- An interview pool is created for students with the highest applicant scores. Interview scoring is based on the following criteria:
- Presentation
- Communication
- Knowledge of the ultrasound profession
- Goals
- Motivation
- Work experience
- Patient care experience
- Level of commitment
- Professionalism
Drug Screening and Criminal Background checks are required prior to clinical education a Sonography program in order to ensure the safety of patients in the clinical setting as required by clinical agencies. Students who do not comply with these screenings are ineligible for placement at clinical sites and are not able to successfully complete a sonography educational program. Students must also comply with the technical, health standards, and physical requirements considered essential for sonography students to achieve the level of competency required for graduation and practice of sonography as recommended by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. These standards are incorporated in the sonography program applications. Available on the BridgeValley Sonography website starting in January of every year for 6-8 weeks.
Program Description
The Cardiac Sonography Program leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The program prepares selected individuals through theory, lab, and clinical experience to practice as echocardiographers in a variety of health care settings. The Cardiac Sonography program is a limited enrollment program. Admission into the program is competitive requiring a minimum GPA of 2.75 to apply for admission. The highest ranked students that meet qualification requirements and deadlines will be admitted first.
Program Goals and Objectives
- To prepare competent entry-level cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
- To provide an educational culture where everyone feels they can work and learn in a safe and caring environment that respects and treats all individuals
- with dignity and civility.
- To graduate competent, employable, entry-level sonographers in accordance with the criteria established by the Joint Review
- Committee on Education under the auspices of the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs.
- To foster student’s communication and critical thinking skills so they will realize their potential as key role players in the realm of health care,
- diagnostic medical imaging, and direct patient care.
- To develop student’s technical skills to include empathy and respect for the provision of quality care to all individuals regardless of race,
- gender, sexuality, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status, educational backgrounds, and/or cultural beliefs.
- To graduate health care professionals who act responsibly, practice principles of ethics, exercise integrity in decision-making, and who are law abiding citizens.
- To support the student’s awareness and commitment toward understanding and implementing the Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics as
- described by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- To reinforce to student’s the importance of striving for continual improvement through education and active participation in the profession.
Program Assessment
The program will periodically assess its effectiveness in achieving its stated goals and learning domains. The results of this evaluation will be reflected in the review and timely revision of the program as needed. Outcomes assessments include, but are not limited to: national credentialing examination performance, programmatic retention/attrition, graduate satisfaction, employer satisfaction, job placement and/or continuing education in a related field.
Careers
Sonography growth is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in both urban and rural areas. Sonographers can choose to work in clinics, hospitals, private practice physician offices, public health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings performing examinations in their areas of specialization. Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, and technical advisors.
References
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography accessed @ http://www.jrcdms.org/pdf/DMSStandards.pdf
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers accessed @ www.sdms.org
*Note: Program accreditation will be applied for before the first group of Cardiac students graduate
*Note: PSYC 101 / PSYC 201 may be taken after admission into the sonography program.
**Note: Successful completion of DMSU 100 Introduction to Sonography 2 does not guarantee acceptance into the Sonography Program.
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