Associate of Science in Diagnostic Sonography

81 Semester Credits
24 Months (Full-Time)
40 Months (Part-Time)

The Diagnostic Sonography program is an educationally broad based post-secondary program. This 24-month hybrid program is designed to provide the essentials of entry level sonographic medical imaging.

The curriculum leads the student through primary sonographic education with a concentration in the specialties of cardiac, diagnostic medical sonography (general) or vascular modalities. The program requires general education courses in General Physics, Anatomy & Physiology with labs, Algebra, Psychology, English, Statistics & Computer Concepts and Fundamentals of Speech. The sonography curriculum is designed to provide the competency-based, outcome-oriented, sequential didactic and scheduled laboratory and clinical activities necessary to achieve the program goals. The core and program curriculum devote significant time to developing "hands-on" laboratory skills in basic patient care and sonographic imaging techniques. The program curriculum requires that the candidate for the Diagnostic Sonography degree complete a concentration in one of the specific modalities; Cardiac, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General), or Vascular. Each concentration provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a career in Sonography in their chosen modality. Assessments take place at regular intervals throughout the program evaluating the student’s progress towards specific levels of competency.

Program Description for Sonography with Cardiac Elective

The cardiac sonography elective is designed to provide the competency-based, outcome-oriented, didactic, laboratory and clinical activities necessary to achieve the program goals. This program prepares
the student to perform quality diagnostic echocardiograms that can be interpreted by the reading cardiologist. Graduating students ascertain an in-depth understanding of anatomy, medical terminology,
hemodynamics, Doppler modalities, and pathophysiology presented by a registered cardiac sonographer. Students learn the College’s general protocol that enables them to adapt to different clinics’ protocols, per the interpreting cardiologist’s specification. Professionalism and medical ethics begin at the College and are emphasized throughout the program to promote excellent patient care and safety.

Credential Issued: Associate of Science in Diagnostic Sonography

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exam. For additional information please contact the ARDMS at www.ARDMS.org or 1-800-541-9754 or Cardiovascular International at www.CCI.org or 800-326-0268.

Cardiac Echocardiography End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Maintain patient care and safety;
• Prepare for echocardiographic procedures;
• Perform echocardiographic imaging;
• Evaluate echocardiographic findings;
• Complete post-procedural activities;
• Apply principles of physics and hemodynamics;
• Demonstrate professionalism and collaboration within the healthcare setting.

Program Description for Associate of Science in Sonography Non-Invasive Vascular Study

The vascular sonography elective is designed to provide the competency-based, outcome-oriented,
didactic, laboratory and clinical activities necessary to achieve our program goals. The vascular program
prepares the student to perform diagnostic quality vascular ultrasound examinations that include, but are not limited to, cerebrovascular, upper, and lower extremities venous and arterial and abdominal
vasculature. The student will understand the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and theory of the
vasculature of the human body as well as provide accurate technical impressions to the interpreting
physician. The student learns to work effectively with other allied healthcare professionals, patients, and
families to promote patient safety and an accurate diagnosis.

Credential Issued: Associate of Science in Diagnostic Sonography

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exam. For additional information please contact the ARDMS at www.ARDMS.org or 1-800-541-9754 or Cardiovascular International at www.CCI.org or 800-326-0268.

Vascular

• Maintain patient care and safety;
• Prepare for vascular ultrasound procedures;
• Perform abdominal/visceral examinations;
• Perform extracranial/intracranial examinations;
• Perform arterial examination of the upper and lower extremities;
• Perform venous examination of the upper and lower extremities;
• Perform hemodialysis examinations;
• Evaluate vascular ultrasound findings;
• Complete post-procedural activities;
• Apply principles of physics and hemodynamics;
• Demonstrate professionalism and collaboration within the healthcare setting.

Program Description for Associate of Science in Diagnostic Sonography – Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General) Elective

The diagnostic medical sonography elective is designed to provide the competency-based, outcome oriented, didactic, laboratory and clinical activities necessary to achieve our program goals. This program prepares the student to perform quality diagnostic studies that can be interpreted by the reading physician. Basic subjects explored include physical principles, abdominal, small parts, obstetrical, and gynecological sonography. The curriculum also devotes significant time to developing “hands-on” laboratory skills. Professionalism and medical ethics begin at the College and are emphasized throughout the program to promote excellent patient care and safety.

Credential Issued: Associate of Science in Diagnostic Sonography

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) board exam. For additional information please contact the ARRT at www.arrt.org or 1-651-687-0048.

General Diagnostic Sonography

• Maintain patient care and safety;
• Prepare for abdominal, obstetric, and gynecological, and small part procedures;
• Perform abdominal imaging;
• Perform obstetric imaging;
• Perform gynecological imaging;
• Perform small parts- superficial imaging;
• Evaluate abdominal, obstetric, and gynecological findings;
• Complete post-procedural activities;
• Apply principles of physics and hemodynamics;
• Demonstrate professionalism and collaboration within the healthcare setting.

COURSES	HOURS
GENERAL EDUCATION (total of 28 credits)
BSC1082C Anatomy & Physiology with Lab	8
ENC1101 English Composition	3
MAC1105 Algebra	3
STA2023 Introductory Statistics	3
PSY1012 Psychology	3
PHY2053 General Physics	4
SPC1017 Fundamentals of Speech	3
CGS1001 Introduction to Computer Concepts	1
DIAGNOSTIC SONOGRAPHY CORE COURSES (total of 35 hours)
DMS1010 Introduction to Diagnostic Sonography	3
DMS1030 Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation with Lab	6
EKG1010 Basic EKG	2
DMS1050 Clinical Application I	6
DMS2060 Clinical Application II	6
DMS2097 DMS Capstone I	3
DMS2070 Clinical Application III	6
DMS2098 DMS Capstone II	3
ELECTIVES Depending on the elective program you enroll in you, will have the following additional courses. (total of 18 hours)
CARDIAC ELECTIVE COURSES
ECH1020 Echocardiographic Anatomy & Physiology with Lab	6
ECH1040 Echocardiography Pathology I/Pharmacology with Lab	6
ECH2030 Echocardiography Pathology II/Advanced Studies with Lab	6
---   OR   ---
NON-INVASIVE VASCULAR ELECTIVE COURSES
VAS1010 Vascular Sonography I with Lab	6
VAS1020 Vascular Sonography II/Pharmacology with Lab	6
VAS1030 Vascular Sonography III/Advanced Studies with Lab	6
---   OR   ---
GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSES
DMS1040 Sonographic Anatomy & Physiology with Lab	6
DMS1060 Abdominal Sonography I with Lab	3
DMS2080 Abdominal Sonography II with Lab	3
DMS1080 Obstetrics & Gynecological Sonography I with Lab	3
DMS2090 Obstetrics & Gynecological Sonography II with Lab	3
TOTALS	81

DESCRIPTION	SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
MOTOR SKILLS
Abilities required of a candidate include gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, strength, for the handling of patient, self, and equipment. A candidate must have these abilities to provide safe care for patients in various states of mobility and awareness.	Elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, testing muscle strength and function, penetration of the skin, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Safely perform procedures. Provide other patient services and patient associated services. Safely lift, manipulate, and use equipment correctly. Lift fifty (50) pounds of weight up and over the level of the head. Reach up to six (6) feet off the floor, and ability to reach frequently. Transfer immobile patients from stretcher to sonography table with assistance. Transfer patients from wheelchair to stretcher or examination beds and back. Push a standard wheelchair from a waiting area or patient’s room to the department. Use a keyboard, mouse and/or trackball for inputting clinical data into consoles, computers, and electronic charts. Sitting less than 2 hours a day. Standing up to 80% of an 8‐hour day. Walking 4‐6 hours a day. Bending frequently Grasping/Gripping for constantly extended periods. (for an hour or more) Pushing and pulling for extended periods. Moderate amounts of stooping. Moderate amounts of crouching. Occasional kneeling Ability to work long and/or irregular hours Ability to move a maximum of a 290‐pound patient in a 2‐person or a 3‐person transfer. Reach forward up to 18 inches while holding an object weighing 15 pounds. Push ultrasound equipment on wheels weighing up to 300 pounds or more.
SENSORY (VISION, SMELL, AND HEARING)
Visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile senses must be sufficient enough to provide patient care, monitor and assess health needs, and to maintain a safe environment.	Skillfully use precision instruments such as microscopes, oscilloscopes, gauges, control panels, and other electronic digital equipment. Observe and evaluate (i.e. patient’s body habitus, transducer selection). Observe the results of technical factors (i.e. image critique). Observe the results of certain stimuli (i.e. medication reaction). Observe changes in equipment operation (i.e. see loss of quality of equipment). Visually monitor patients and review and interpret images in low light levels. Visual acuity to visualize and resolve between structures that are closely spaced. Ability to visualize colors and determine colors as displayed on equipment as well as in relation to the patient’s condition. Ability to adequately differentiate between subtle shades of black, white, gray and color. Ability to hear spoken voices from patients at a conversational tone and level. Ability to hear warning beeps on patient’s equipment (i.e. IV alarms, heart monitor and oxygen saturation monitors). Ability to hear Doppler shifts on Spectral Doppler exams. Ability to assess patient and other situations rapidly, determine course of action, delegate activities to co‐workers, and/or respond as appropriate. Recognize and respond to an emergency or urgent situation.
TECHNOLOGICAL
The ability and skills to utilize current electronic, digital, and medical technologies.	Retrieve and enter patient data into electronic medical records. Store and retrieve digital sonographic images from scanners and network devices (PACS). Transfer exams from scanners to network devices. Transfer exams to external storage media. Print exams on various types of printers (laser, thermal, inkjet). Utilizing keyboards and touch screens to enter data and optimize images. Utilizing knobs, toggle switches, and buttons to optimally perform an ultrasound scan.
COMMUNICATION
Communication abilities sufficient for effective and sensitive interaction with faculty, students, physicians, patients, etc. in verbal and written form.	Elicit information and cooperation (i.e. questioning of patient, giving breathing instructions). Describe changes in mood, activity, and posture. Perceive nonverbal communication (i.e. pain, lack of understanding). Communicate in a clear and concise manner to people in various departments in both written and spoken English. Understand spoken and written English in the clinical and classroom settings. Speech discrimination within functional limits for telephone and personal communication. Read and apply appropriate instructions in treatment charts, notes, and records. Ability to work in a noisy environment with many interruptions. Ability to accurately read and transcribe moderately illegible handwriting. Ability to hear, understand, and respond appropriately to comments, questions, and instructions given in person, over the phone, and in writing/print.
CRITICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING
Abilities required of a candidate include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities are also required. A candidate must have these abilities to accurately perform sonographic technique to produce quality sonograms.	Solve problems (i.e. mathematical computation). Comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships (i.e. anatomical relations). Understand the spatial relationship of structures. Comprehend and apply clinical instructions given from department personnel. Ability to remember and recall a large amount of information. Ability to apply critical thinking skills in regard to obtaining adequate clinical history from the patient and correlating that information with exam findings. Exercise good judgment.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
The ability to interact successfully with individuals of all age groups and genders, families, groups, etc. from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. A candidate must have these abilities to provide empathetic support to patients where quality care is dependent on a team approach.	Ability to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients, clients, and fellow workers (interpersonal skills). Tolerate physically taxing workloads. Function effectively under stress. Adapt to changing environments (i.e. flexible schedules). Display flexibility and ability to function during uncertainty inherent in health care (i.e. emergency conditions). Display: Compassion, Empathy, Integrity, Concern for others, Interest and motivation Ability to calmly and politely cope in stressful situations, in emergency patient situations, or situations with other staff members. Accept constructive and professional criticism Maintain confidentiality at all times Follow all program, college and clinical site policies. Adhere to credentialing agency (ARDMS, CCI, ARRT) policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOLERANCE
The ability to work in a variety of environments and situations.	Demonstrate the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly, without warning, and/or in unpredictable ways. Perform Echocardiography scans in various locations such as the Emergency Department, Operating Room, patient rooms, ICU, and pediatrics. Work safely with toxic substances used to disinfect transducers and equipment. Practice universal precautions when working with patients with communicable diseases.

Program Outcomes: Consumer Information 

The outcomes published on the consumer information page include:

• CAAHEP: retention, placement and pass rates on ARDMS and CCI certification exams;
• ACCSC: graduation and placement rates.