Sonography Programs RED R O CKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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1 RED R O CKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Sonography Programs Sonography is one of the dynamic, fast-paced, rapidly advancing fields within Medical Imaging. The number of ultrasonographic procedures continues to increase. Technology is advancing rapidly and growth is expected to continue well into the future. The highly skilled professionals that perform ultrasound examinations in a clinical facility are known as sonographer, ultrasonographer, or ultrasound technologist. There are various specialties within the field that include the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular, and echocardiography to name a few. This professional is a key member of the health care team that provides individualized care to a variety of patients utilizing highly technical instrumentation to create and interpret images of the internal organs, tissues, and blood flow. This career requires people who are highly skilled in performing the tasks of the field. Our students receive an education in the didactic requirements of the field by highly qualified instructors with the advanced certification required. The didactic courses are supplemented with hands-on lab instruction and practice in our lab facilities at the Arvada campus. In addition to the didactic education students receive, there is a hands-on clinical component within the program that affords students the opportunity to work in some of the best clinical environments in the area, under the supervision of qualified staff, while utilizing their learned skills on actual patients. The program prepares students for entry-level positions in the field with specialization in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or Echocardiography. All students will complete Vascular courses. Students will be eligible, on program completion, to take the widely recognized ARDMS certifying examination, the CCI examination or the ARRT examination. Students have the opportunity to choose between the Associate of Applied Science degree option, or the Certificate of Completion option when applying for graduation during the final semester of study. The AS requires additional general education courses. Red Rocks Community College currently can accept up to 20 students each year. Admission into the program is extremely competitive and clinical site dependent. Please visit our website for more information about the Admissions Criteria and Application Process

2 Do you have a qualifying degree? 1. Two year degree or certificate in a healthcare/patient care field (nursing, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy) and hold current certification in the field. OR 2. Four year degree in any field. NOTE: Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution in the United States or Canada. YES NO Have you completed the Prerequisite Courses? Earn a qualifying degree YES NO Complete and submit DMS program Application Between March 1 st and March 31 st Application packet must include: 1. Application form 2. Resume 3. Essay 4. Job Shadowing forms (optional) 5. 2 letters of recommendation 6. Official copies of college transcripts Form available at Take the prerequisite courses Introduction to Sonography (DMS 101 Multiplanar Sectional Imaging (RTE 255) Medical Terminology (HPR 178) Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIO 201*, BIO 202) *BIO 111 is a prerequisite course for BIO 201 One of the following Math Courses: o College Algebra (MAT 121) o College Trigonometry (MAT 122) o Calculus I (MAT 201) Await decision of admissions committee Selected Begin Program in fall semester Not Selected Reapply next year Nondiscrimination Statement: Red Rocks Community College does not unlawfully discriminate in its admissions, education programs, activities or employment policies on the basis of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, gender expression, disability, or any other category protected by application law and is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.

3 Red Rocks Community College Sonography Program Admissions Process (Revised 8/2014) A new class in the Sonography Program begins each fall. Persons interested in admissions to the program must complete several steps prior to submitting an application. Applications are accepted each March, for classes beginning in August that year. There are two areas of study to choose from: Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography. The program is 5 semesters (21 months) in length. Students attend full-time and must complete the course work in sequence. Determine if you are eligible to apply for the program. Eligibility is limited to anyone who holds either: A 2 year degree/certificate in a direct patient care related field such as Radiography, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, or Physical Therapy; or A Bachelor s Degree in any field. Note: Qualifying degree or certificate must be from an accredited (regionally or programmatically) institution in the United States or Canada as these countries share accrediting bodies. Apply to Red Rocks Community College and provide any transferring, official*, transcripts with your application. You may apply to the school at any time, and you must complete the college s application prior to applying to the Sonography Program. This is not the same as applying to the Sonography Program. Additional transcripts may be required with your program application. Take the prerequisite courses, RTE 255 Multi-planar Sectional Anatomy, DMS 101 Introduction to Sonography. Medical Terminology (HPR 178), Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIO 201, BIO 202)*. Additionally you must have one of the following math courses: College Algebra (MAT 121), College Trigonometry (MAT 122), or Calculus I (MAT 201). You must meet any prerequisites that may be required to enroll in the above courses. Check the College Catalog or meet with an advisor. *The Human A&P sequence may take three semesters if you do not have BIO 111, the prerequisite course for BIO 201 If English is not an applicant s first spoken language, the TOFEL examination must also be taken. A minimum score of 71 (IBT) is required for admission. You should seek opportunities for job shadowing at local healthcare facilities. Points are earned for every 4 hours of shadowing performed. Job shadowing is not required. Job shadowing forms can be found at: Complete the DMS Application, which is available on the DMS website. Submit all required materials to the Medical Imaging Department at RRCC between March 1 st and March 31 st. You may mail or hand-deliver your application to the Arvada Campus. It must arrive in March. Applications will be evaluated and scored. Points are awarded for qualifying degree/certificate, GPA in prerequisite courses, prior healthcare work experience, job shadowing, and writing skills. These scores are totaled and the top individuals are invited for an interview in June. Following the interviews, individuals are selected for admission to the sonography program in the fall. The number of students selected varies by clinical site availability. Interviews will be held during the first part of June. Those selected for the program will receive a new student packet in July. Orientation for applicants selected for the DMS program will be held the final week of July. For additional information, feel free to contact the Medical Imaging Education Department at *official transcripts are transcripts that the student orders from the institution to be sent directly to our institution. Official transcripts are also transcripts given to you by the institution in a sealed envelope with the registrar s seal or signature across the envelope seal and not opened by the student.

4 SONOGRAPHY Frequently Asked Questions If I have been a student at RRCC in the past, do I need to reapply? If it has been more than 1 year since you took classes at RRCC you will need to reapply to the college. What are the physical/health requirements of the program? The technical standards for the medical imaging programs may be found at Where do I go for Job Shadowing? Prospective applicants should seek job shadowing opportunities at any of the area hospitals and imaging centers. The school does not arrange or recommend sites. Is Job Shadowing required? Job Shadowing is not required for application or admission to any of the Medical Imaging programs. It is encouraged, as it allows the prospective applicants to learn more about the career field. Do I need to have health care or patient care experience? No, previous experience is not required. What is the selection process based upon? Several factors are considered in the selection process: GPA in prerequisite coursework, job shadowing, work experience, applicant essay, and letters of reference/recommendation. How hard is it to find a job? While RRCC does not offer formal placement services, historically our graduates have a better than 90% employment rate within 6 months. When do interviews occur? Interviews for the Radiologic Technology program and the Sonography program are held during the last week of June. What is the salary for new graduates? Radiologic Technologists Sonographers $18-24 per hour $22-28 per hour How recent do the letters of reference/recommendation need to be? Letters should be no more than 12 months old. How many graduates pass the certification examinations? RRCC is proud to have a better than 90% first time pass rate for both the ARRT exam (Radiologic Technology) and the ARDMS exams (Sonography).

5 Who can apply for the program? Anyone who holds either: 1. A 2 year degree/certificate in a direct patient-care related field such as Radiography, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, or Physical Therapy; or 2. A Bachelor s Degree in any field from an accredited US or Canadian College/University. When can I apply for the program? The application window is from March 1st to March 31st for the program which will start that August. How do I apply? Visit the Sonography Program website and print the DMS Application. Complete and submit the application, with all the required documents, to the Medical Imaging Department. What happens after I apply? The applications are evaluated and scored. Interviews are then scheduled for those applicants who meet certain scoring criteria. After the interviews, the final selection for the class starting in August is made. All those interviewed will be notified by mail of the outcome by the end of July. What happens if I am selected? Those selected for the program will receive and information packet with complete instructions regarding the things that must be accomplished prior to the start of the program. What type of time commitment is required for the DMS program? The DMS program is nearly a FULL TIME commitment. In addition, students should expect to spend 10 to 20 hours each week studying, preparing, and practicing. Will I be able to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examination upon completion of the program? Yes, upon completion of the program you will be eligible to apply for the ARDMS examination. Can I combine Sonography program certificates? You cannot combine certificates. All Red Rocks Sonography Students receive training in Vascular Technology. Where are the clinical sites? Clinical sites for the Sonography program are located at a number of hospitals, imaging centers, and physician offices throughout the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado Springs, and other communities. Is the Sonography program accredited? Red Rocks Community College is regionally accredited by The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and its programs are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and Colorado Community College System. The ARDMS has a podcast addressing program accreditation (CAAHEP vs. Non-CAAHEP) at the following link: If I have more questions, who should I contact? For more information, visit our website: or call the program office at For advising inquiries, contact dan.macy@rrcc.edu or