Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS

Major Code: 3319

Admission

The Diagnostic Medical 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography:

1. 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.
2. Must complete Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) pre-requisite courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher prior to beginning the DMS program.
3. Must complete a DMS 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.
4. Must have documentation of sonographer shadowing/observation experience

Initial Applicant Scoring:

Applicant scoring is based on the following criteria:

• Pre-requisite GPA
• Grades in the core sonography cores: Anatomy, Physiology, Physics, and Introduction to Sonography
• Allied health certification
• Patient care experience
• Educational degrees
• Veteran status
• Shadowing/observation experience

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 in the Diagnostic Medical 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 the DMS program. Students must also comply with the technical, health standards, and physical requirements considered essential for DMS 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 DMS program application.

DMS Program Application address: http://www.bridgevalley.edu/sites/default/files/files/BridgeValley_Site_Files/Academics/Academics/Documents/DMS%20Program%20Application%20Fall%202015.pdf

Program Description

The Associate in Applied Science degree for Diagnostic Medical Sonography supports student success through the provision of quality-driven comprehensive didactic and clinical instruction in sonography. A diagnostic medical sonographer serves as a highly-skilled professional who utilizes specialized equipment to produce images of structures inside the human body that aid physicians in medical diagnoses. Sonographic specialties currently offered include:

• General Sonography: Abdomen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Superficial Structures, and Small Parts
• Vascular Technology: Arterial and Venous Systems

Program Goals and Objectives

• To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
• To prepare competent entry-level vascular technologists 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

1. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography accessed @ http://www.jrcdms.org/pdf/DMSStandards.pdf
2. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers accessed @ www.sdms.org

*Note: Program accreditation will be applied for before the first group of DMS students graduate