Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program offers a a degree that is designed to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The program is designed to facilitate the development of each student to meet the needs of the growing healthcare industry.
Program Outcomes
- Prepare students for the challenging responsibilities of the profession and provide opportunity to acquire a working knowledge of the field
- Provide a clinical educational experience that enables students to be capable of performing routine sonographic procedures and related functions specific to general Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Provide an education experience that promotes effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities and professionalism
- Promote the development of core values and ethical standards necessary for the delivery of quality, patient-centered care
For additional information about the program link to: http://www.ecpi.edu/medical/program/sonography-associate-degree/. To see the Student Consumer Information link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
About Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Sonography is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past 20 years. With rapidly developing new technologies and increased use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in both urban and rural areas nationwide. Professional responsibilities include: obtaining and recording an accurate patient history, performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining sonographic images, analyzing technical information, providing an oral or written summary of the technical findings to the physician, and collaborating with physicians and other members of the health care team. Salaries for sonographers are competitive with or higher than other professionals with similar levels of education.
A criminal background check, 5-panel urine drug screen, employment physical, proof of PPD test or negative chest x-ray, proof of tetanus inoculation, a Hepatitis B titer, and current CPR certification are usually required for employment as a sonographer.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers actively work in many healthcare venues and are required to perform some physically demanding duties when working with patients. Therefore, physical requirements have been outlined for this profession and include:
- Must be able to stand and walk for 80% of clinical time
- Must be able to assist, lift, and position patients for at least 50% of the clinical time
- Has sufficient hearing to respond to patient needs and to interact with the patient, to hear instructions in a variety of situations, such as in a trauma room in the emergency room and in surgery, where the person may be facing away from you or be wearing a surgical mask. Has the ability to distinguish audible sounds of the equipment, such as Doppler.
- Has sufficient motor skill to be able to respond to medical emergencies and to manipulate the equipment. These motor skills may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Has full use of hands, wrists, and shoulders. Extend the hands and arms in any direction often reaching 3-4 feet above the head. Seize, hold, grasp, turn and otherwise work with both hands. Pick, pinch, twist or otherwise work with wrists and fingers of both hands.
- Move the hand and foot coordinately with each other in accordance with visual stimuli
- Bend and stoop routinely
- Perform frequent lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing of objects weighing 50 lbs or more, such as wheel chairs, patient stretchers, and ultrasound equipment
- Lift and transfer patients to and from the examination table safely, without injury to patient, self or other health care workers
- Ability to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is also known as Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, or Ultrasound Technologist. Sonographers can choose to work in hospital radiology departments, clinics, medical imaging centers, women’s health and childbirth centers, private practice physician offices, public health facilities, or breast imaging centers.
The program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions, on campus classroom and laboratory courses and off campus clinical education where students will work with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop, and apply the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations in the work place.
Recommended Certifications
ECPI University provides vouchers allowing students to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Examinations are available through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Examinations include: registry examination in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (SPI), and the Abdomen (AB) and Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN). The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certification test in Sonography is another certification available. Certification by either ARDMS or the ARRT is required for employment.
Program Outline
To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, students must earn 80 semester credit hours. This program requires 6 semesters, which is equivalent to 21 months or 85 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows:
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
55 semester credit hours
| DMS100 | Essentials of Sonography and Ethics | 3 |
| DMS107 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation | 2 |
| DMS107L | Ultrasound Instrumentation LAB | 1 |
| DMS108 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| DMS108L | Ultrasound Instrumentation Lab II | 1 |
| DMS109 | Sectional Anatomy | 3 |
| DMS200 | Abdominal Sonography | 3 |
| DMS201 | Advanced Abdominal Sonography | 3 |
| DMS202 | Obstetrics and Gynecologic Sonography | 3 |
| DMS203 | Advanced Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography | 3 |
| DMS204 | Vascular I | 3 |
| DMS205 | Vascular II | 3 |
| DMS206 | Introduction to Clinical Education | 1 |
| DMS207 | Clinical Education | 4 |
| DMS208 | Clinical Education II | 4 |
| DMS209 | Clinical Education III | 4 |
| DMS210 | Clinical Education IV | 4 |
| DMS211 | Clinical Education V | 4 |
| DMS213 | Clinical Education VI | 2 |
| DMS241 | General/SPI Registry Review | 2 |
Arts and Sciences*
21 semester credit hours
| BIO111 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Terminology | 3 |
| BIO111L | Anatomy and Physiology I with Terminology LAB | 1 |
| BIO116 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Terminology | 3 |
| BIO116L | Anatomy and Physiology II with Terminology Lab | 1 |
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities | 3 |
| PHY120 | Physics | 3 |
| PHY120L | Physics Lab | 1 |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts and Sciences Department page
Self-Integration
4 semester credit hours
Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Program Policies
Program Philosophy. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains. Program faculty are strongly committed to providing all students with an exciting, stimulating, and comprehensive learning experience. The program prepares graduates to provide safe, effective, ethical, and legal care to persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds. The program develops the ability of the student to think independently, to understand fundamental theory, and to develop the skills necessary to become Diagnostic Medical Sonography practitioners who are enlightened decision makers.
Program Purpose. This program prepares students to meet the requirements for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions. Instruction includes on campus classroom and laboratory courses, and off campus clinical education where students will work with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop and apply the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations in the work place.
Attendance. A detailed record of student attendance is maintained by the faculty and becomes a part of their permanent record. Every absence from class, no matter what the reason, is recorded and counted as such by the faculty, beginning with the first day of class. It is sometimes necessary for the College to give employment recommendations for a student. The employer often takes attendance into consideration.
Students MUST attend class regularly. NO CALL/NO SHOW TO SCHEDULED CLASSES IS NOT PERMITTED. If, for any reason, an absence is necessary, day clinical students must call the College and the instructor no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Students with course absences greater than 15 percent may have their records reviewed for purposes of possible probation, termination, or suspension. A student may be dropped from a course if the student is absent more than 20 percent of the scheduled course hours.
Written assignments must be submitted on time. Tests and assignments must be made up on the student’s first classroom day back to school after absence unless the student makes alternate arrangements with the instructor. Students will be allowed two tests/exams make-ups per course. The student receives the grade earned for the first make-up test/exam. The grade received for the second makeup test/exam in the same course will be no higher than an 80%. No other make-up test/exam is permitted. A zero will be recorded for additional missed tests/exams in the same course. There are no make-up quizzes. Any late homework is the grade earned minus 10 points. All unit tests must be recorded prior to the final examination. Any student who does not take the make-up test/exam on the first day back will receive a zero for the test exam.
Student Evaluation. The faculty shall use the objectives of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program as criteria for student evaluation. The student’s grades are determined by a combination of written examinations, laboratory scanning practical exams, and clinical competency checklists.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography technical skills and ability, attitude, and relationship with others are areas of clinical and laboratory evaluation. The achievement of the student in both theory and clinical performance is evaluated by the faculty at regular intervals and shared with the student.
Program Hours. Students are required to attend classes during day hours only, Monday through Friday for six semesters. Each semester is divided into 3 five week terms. Each term varies in the number of required courses, depending on the number of credits and contact hours per course, with two or three courses per term.
During the first three semesters all classes are on campus Monday through Thursday. During the fourth semester students will be assigned to an Ultrasound department of a clinical affiliate hospital or imaging center Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. During the final term of the program, clinical rotations will be two to three days per week with on campus classes on the alternate days.
Clinical Phase Absenteeism and Tardiness. Absenteeism on clinical days will not be tolerated. Students are expected to arrive at clinical rotation sites prepared to administer patient care. If a student is unable to perform required duties due to health or other reasons, the student should not attend. If for any reason the student cannot attend on a scheduled clinical day, the student must talk to the assigned site point of contact (POC) no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Emergency messages will be conveyed from the College to the clinical site location. At no time should family or friends call the health care facility where the student is assigned. If more than two clinical days are missed, the student must report to the Program Director and/or Clinical Coordinator.
Clinical Protocol. Clinical experiences are scheduled in various healthcare agencies and/or hospitals.
- Students may not visit any clinical facility while wearing the student uniform (including the name I.D.) without prior approval from the Diagnostic Sonography Faculty
- Students may not review any patient’s chart or records except those assigned to them
- Students are not permitted to accept gifts from patients or patients’ families or friends
- Students are not permitted to fraternize with any patient/agency employee while enrolled in school
Admissions Requirements. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program has a selective review process that consists of the following:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must have a standard high school diploma or a GED
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must successfully complete the entrance assessment
- A personal information session with the Program Director or designee is required
Prerequisite Courses. Must be greater than or equal to 100 level college courses only.
- College Algebra (3 credit hours)
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Applicant Points Criteria
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Healthcare Experience
(15% weighted value)
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1 pt:
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1-2 years
Volunteer or work in a
Medical Profession
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40 to 99 hours
Volunteer or work in Ultrasound
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| 2 pt:
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3-5 years
Volunteer or work in a Medical Profession
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100-199 hours
Volunteer or work in Ultrasound
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| 3 pt:
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6 + years
Volunteer or work in a Medical Profession
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200 + hrs
Volunteer or work in Ultrasound
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Entrance Assessments:
(70% weighted value)
Reading: (20% of exam values)
English: (20% of exam values)
Math: (30% of exam values)
Science: (30% of exam values)
Academic Courses:
(College or High School)
(15% weighted value)
The following courses are assigned 1 point each, per subject, one time:
Anatomy and Physiology
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Medical Terminology
1,920 total contact hours