DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

Transcription

1 DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY Ms. April Sutherland, Program Director Associate in Applied Science Degree (6 semesters) Career Cluster: Health Science At a Glance Sonography (ultrasound) is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past several years. Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. This type of procedure is often referred to as a sonogram or ultrasound scan. Sonography can be used to examine many parts of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, female reproductive system, prostate, heart, and blood vessels. It is also used to guide fine-needle tissue biopsy to assist in taking a sample of cells from an organ for lab testing (for example, a test for breast cancer). Unlike x-ray, there is no ionizing radiation used to perform a sonogram. With rapidly developing technologies and increased use of diagnostic sonographic procedures, growth in this profession is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in a variety of settings nationwide. 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. Program Description Purpose and Goal: To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The Associate in Applied Science degree awarded at program completion is a six-semester, competency-based curriculum that includes practical experience in regional health institutions. The sonography program at Wallace State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ( upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. By attending a program accredited by CAAHEP, you will be able to apply to take the national certification examinations offered by the ARDMS/ARRT upon graduation from the program. By successfully completing the certification exams, you will be awarded the credential registered sonographer. Admission Requirements

2 (Program applications will be accepted between May 1 and June 1) Meet all the general admission requirements of WSCC. Complete general required courses for Pre-sonography by deadline date of June 1. Submit to the Admissions Office, by the June 1 deadline, a WSCC official college application declaring sonography as your major, plus current official college transcripts demonstrating completion of sonography general required courses, and a copy of official ACT scores (a score of 19 or better is required to qualify for program entry.) Submit to the DMS Program Director, by the June 1 deadline, a DMS Program Application, college transcripts, documented evidence of a minimum of four (4) hours of observation in an ultrasound department with a registered sonographer, ACT score and acknowledgement of having reviewed the WSCC drug policy (see policy at WSCC website: The program application can also be found on the website. Select Programs, then Health Division, then Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Proof of active/current AHA Approved CPR certification for Healthcare Providers must also be provided with the application (cognitive hands-on Online CPR courses not accepted). Attain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale with a grade of C or better on all general required presonography courses. GPA calculated for program selection will be on the general required pre-sonography courses only. Math/Sciences courses (MTH 100, BIO 201, PHY 115) must have been completed within seven years of the date of expected entry into the DMS program. Candidates must be able to meet all Technical Standards required of the program. Those Standards are as follows: a. Lift more than 50 pounds routinely b. Push and pull routinely c. Bend and stoop routinely d. Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders e. Distinguish audible sounds f. Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions g. Work standing on their feet 80% of the time h. Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured i. Assist patients on and off examining tables j. Communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals k. Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a task in the proper sequence Selection and Notification The DMS Program admits a beginning class annually fall semester. Candidates are ranked for admission on the basis of ACT scores, weighted GPA of pre-sonography courses (GPA x 9) and completion of admission requirements. In the case of a tie of ranking score, in order to fill our 25 slots, the following tie breakers will be used in this order to determine acceptance into the program: GPA, ACT Composite, ACT Math, ACT Science. Program applications will be reviewed for completion of program admission requirements. Written notification of program acceptance status will be mailed to each applicant at the address given on the application. Following acceptance into the program, students must respond, in writing, confirming their intent to enroll, within 10 days after the postmarked date of their acceptance letters. A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class. A signed consent to drug testing and background check must accompany the acceptance confirmation.

3 Program Expectations Students admitted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography are expected to comply with the Health Science Program Regulations and Expectations as published in the Programs of Study section of the Wallace State College Catalog. Required Competencies: Clinical competencies (patient care and interaction, performance of abdominal, superficial structures, obstetrical and gynecologic sonograms). Upon Admission to the Program: Sonography students are required to submit a completed program physical examination form, including proof of having completed 2 of 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations and proof of immunization or vaccinations for the diseases listed on the form by the deadline noted on their program acceptance letter. Sonography students must maintain current CPR certification. The appropriate certification is for Healthcare Providers. Accident and liability insurance, available through the College, is required. Sonography students are required to undergo Background Screening and Drug Testing according to WSCC Health Science Division policy. Medical insurance is required of all students in the program in order to attend clinicals. Progression Students selected for admission into the program must maintain a grade of 75% or higher on major required courses. Failure to do so will result in program dismissal. Readmission Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for re-admission. No preferential consideration is given to prior students for re-admission. Students will be readmitted ONE time only. Career Path Upon completion of the program, sonography students should take registries and become Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Many General (OB/GYN, Abdomen) sonographers opt to advance their career horizons by seeking expertise in Vascular Technology, Echocardiography, and other sonographic specialties. There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography. For additional information concerning a career in sonography go to Additional career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc. Median annual earnings of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers were $75,712 according to the SDMS Sonographer Salary & Benefits Survey (2013). Program courses have been accepted for transfer to Athens State and the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the Bachelor Degree in Health Science. Please consult STARS transfer guide for the latest information.

4 Diagnostic Medical Sonography General Required Courses ORI 110 Freshman Seminar 1 ENG 101 English Composition I 3 HUM Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (Code A preferred or PHL 210) 3 SPH 106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3 MTH 100 Intermediate College Algebra 3 BIO 201 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 *PHY 115 Technical Physics 4 PSY 200 General Psychology 3 Total 24 1st Semester DMS 216 Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation 3 DMS 229 Sonography Preceptorship I 2 DMS 202 Foundations of Sonography 2 DMS 204 Sonographic Anatomy 3 DMS 205 Abdominal Sonography 4 Total 14 2nd Semester DMS 207 Abdominal Pathology 3 DMS 217 Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation Lab 1 DMS 220 Obstetrical Sonography I 3 DMS 206 Gynecologic Sonography 4 DMS 230 Sonography Preceptorship II 3 DMS 203 Sonographic Terms 2 Total 16 3rd Semester DMS 240 Sonography Seminar I 2 DMS 231 Sonography Preceptorship III 4 DMS 225 Superficial Parts 1 DMS 221 Obstetrical Sonography II 3 Total 10 4th Semester DMS 245 Sonography Case Presentation 1 DMS 241 Sonography Seminar II 3 DMS 232 Sonography Preceptorship IV 5

5 DMS 250 Introduction to Advanced Sonography 3 Total 12 TOTAL CREDITS 76 * If the student has a Radiographic Physics (3 or 4 credit) that has been taken, this may possibly substitute for PHY 115 with staff approval as long as it was taken within 7 years of admittance into the program. Vascular Sonography Option The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program also offers Vascular Sonography option for students that are currently enrolled in their 3rd semester of the General Sonography program and meet the GPA and SPI registryeligible requirements set forth by the sonography program director. These courses coupled with their RDMS, will allow the student to sit for their vascular registry upon graduation. Admission Requirements Meet all general requirements of WSCC. Be a currently enrolled student in the WSCC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Submit an application for the Vascular Sonography Certificate program to the program director by April 30. Program of Study Vascular Sonography DMS 261 Vascular Sonography Techniques 3 DMS 263 Pathology of Vascular Systems 3 DMS 264 Vascular Sonographic Clinical 5 DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY (DMS) DMS 202 Foundations of Sonography. 2 hrs. (1-1) This course will train the student in basic patient care skills and operational skills in the clinical environment. Topics such as body mechanics, patient assessment, emergency care, infection control, film processing and filing will be discussed. Upon completion the student should be able to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, take vital signs, move and assist patients and obtain patient history as well as produce hardcopy of exams performed. This is a CORE course. Fall DMS 203 Sonographic Terms. 2 hrs. (2-0) This course will provide the sonography student with a working knowledge of medical terminology and terminology utilized in the practice of sonography. The student will be expected to complete workbook/computer assignments. Upon completion students will be able to communicate and utilize medical terminology. Spring

6 DMS 204 Sonographic Anatomy. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course is a study in gross and sectional anatomy and physiology of the human body and the correlation of that anatomy to sonographic, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images. Upon completion students will be able to identify normal sonographic anatomy. Fall DMS 205 Abdominal Sonography. 4 hrs. (3-1) This course will provide the student the sonographic technical skills needed to perform a diagnostic abdominal sonogram. Various protocols will be introduced for the routine examination as well as additional views needed to demonstrate pathology. The student will participate in classroom and lab demonstrations and will be required to develop a protocols notebook. At course completion the student will be prepared to perform a complete abdominal sonogram. This is a CORE course. Fall DMS 206 Gynecologic Sonography. 4 hrs. (3-1) This course will familiarize the student with the transabdominal and transvaginal protocols of gynecologic scanning and common pathologies of the female reproductive system as seen on ultrasound. Lab values and patient history will be stressed as well as correlation with images from other modalities. The student will be able to perform a transabdominal pelvic sonogram at course completion. This is a CORE course. Spring DMS 207 Abdominal Pathology. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of the sonographic appearance and pathophysiology of common diseases abnormalities of the abdomen. Associated history, symptoms, lab values, treatments and appearance on other imaging modalities will be demonstrated. The student will be required to conduct research for presentation. At course completion, students will be able to identify many major pathologies of the abdomen on sonograms. This is a CORE course. Spring DMS 215 Introduction to Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation. 2 hrs. (2-0) This course is a study and review of basic algebraic equations, word problem solving, metric unit conversions, binary numbers and logarithms usage. The student that completes this course successfully will be better prepared for entry into sonographic principles and instrumentation. Summer DMS 216 Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will provide the student with knowledge of the principles of sound and imaging instrumentation as applied to sonography. The physical nature of sound waves and how those waves interact with mediums and how they can be successfully utilized in diagnostic imaging will be studied. Upon completion the student will be able to produce sonographic images. This is a CORE course. Fall

7 DMS 217 Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation Lab. 1 hr. (0-1) This lab allows students to perform quality assurance tests and surveys. Students will also investigate statistical applications utilized in medical research. Upon completion the student will be able to develop a quality assurance program. This is a CORE course. Spring DMS 220 Obstetrical Sonography I. 3 hrs. (3-0). This course will familiarize the student with the sonographic appearance of the gravid pelvis and normally developing fetus. Protocols for determining gestational age and fetal viability will be studied. Lab values associated with pregnancy will be covered. At completion, the student will be able to differentiate between normal and problem pregnancy progression. This is a CORE course. Spring DMS 221 Obstetrical Sonography II. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will educate students as to the sonographic appearance and correlated finding of several fetal anomalies. Genetic links with certain anomalies will be studied. The student will research and present materials of selected anomalies in class. At completion, student will identify anomalies that appear in fetal sonograms. This is a CORE course. Summer DMS 223 Sonographic Lab I. 1 hr. (0-1) This course is designed to allow students the opportunity to improve their application of knowledge gained in other courses. Content will vary depending on student needs as determined by the instructor. As needed DMS 224 Sonographic Lab II. 2 hrs. (0-2) This course is designed to allow students the opportunity to improve their application of knowledge gained in other courses. Content will vary depending on student needs as determined by the instructor. As needed DMS 225 Superficial Sonography. 1 hr. (1-0) This course will review the anatomy and familiarize students with scanning protocols for the thyroid, parathyroid, breast, scrotum, male pelvis and other superficial structures. Common pathologies will be discussed and correlated with other imaging modalities. Upon completion, students will identify protocols appropriate to specific techniques and will perform superficial sonograms. Medical terminology is emphasized throughout this course. This is a CORE course. Summer DMS 229 Sonography Preceptorship I. 2 hrs. (0-2) This course provides the sonography student with the opportunity to practice patient care skills and use beginning sonographic skills in a clinical environment. At course completion, the student should be able to provide basic patient care needs for the individual scheduled for a sonogram and create sonographic images pertinent to the current level of didactic training in general sonography specialties. Competencies will be required. This is a CORE

8 course. Fall DMS 230 Sonography Preceptorship II. 3 hrs. (0-3) This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop additional sonographic skills in the clinical setting. The student will assist with and perform sonographic exams pertinent to the level of didactic training in general sonography specialties. Competencies will be required. This is a CORE course. Spring DMS 231 Sonography Preceptorship III. 4 hrs. (0-4) This course provides a continuum in the development of sonographic skills in all general sonographic specialties while in the clinical setting. Students should be able to perform more exams with less assistance from the supervising sonographer. Competencies will be required. This is a CORE course. Summer DMS 232 Sonography Preceptorship IV. 5 hrs. (0-5) This course will provide an in-depth practice of all general sonographic skills in the clinical setting.. Upon completion the student will perform general specialty sonograms with little to no assistance from the supervising sonographer. Competencies will be required. This is a CORE course. Fall DMS 240 Sonography Seminar I. 2 hrs. (2-0) This course provides a review for National Registry Exam. Topics include sonographic principles and instrumentation. Mock registries must be passed with a grade of 75% or better to complete this course. This is a CORE course. Summer DMS 241 Sonography Seminar II. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course provides a review for the National Registry Exam. Topics include abdominal, superficial, gynecological, and obstetrical sonography. Mock registries must be passed with a grade of 75% or better to complete this course. This is a CORE course. Fall DMS 245 Sonography Case Presentation. 1 hr. (1-0) This course allows students to share interesting sonographic cases obtained during clinical rotations. Students are required to present cases with sonographic images, reports, patient history and symptoms and correlating reports from other exams/tests performed. The cases become the property of the program for use as future reference material. By the end of the term, students will have developed proficiency and expertise in case presentation. Fall DMS 250 Introduction to Advanced Sonography. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will introduce students to vascular, cardiac, neurology, and orthopedic sonography. Advanced technologies in these fields will be researched. At completion, students will identify and describe skills and modalities in sonography. Fall

9 DMS 261 Vascular Sonography Techniques. 3 hrs. (2-1) This course will familiarize the student with sonographic anatomy of the peripheral vascular structures of the human body. The student will learn techniques to perform spectral, color and angiographic Doppler of these vessels. Images will be correlated with other imaging modalities (i.e. computed technology, magnetic resonance, and angiography). The laboratory will allow the student to practice techniques learned in RAD 281 theory. The student will scan volunteers in order to develop skills in vascular analysis. At course completion student will be able to perform vascular sonograms. Summer DMS 263 Pathology of Vascular Systems. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will educate the student in common pathologies of the vascular system. Patient symptoms and history will be correlated with abnormalities seen. At completion students will be able to identify common abnormalities of the vascular system on sonograms. Fall DMS 264 Vascular Sonographic Clinical. 5hrs. (0-5) This course will allow the student to practice vascular scanning skills in the clinical setting. Competency will be sought in all types of peripheral vascular studies as well as correlation of studies with patient history, laboratory values and symptomology. At completion the student will be able to demonstrate practical application of vascular sonographic procedures. Fall DMS 271 Echocardiographic Technology. 3 hrs. (2-1) This course will familiarize the student with sonographic anatomy of the cardiovascular system of the human body. Techniques and protocols for performing a diagnostic study of the cardiovascular system. The lab will enable the echo student to practice echocardiographic scanning skills on volunteers in the campus lab. Student will be required to provide volunteers for labs. At completion student will be able to perform echocardiograms. As needed DMS 273 Pathology of the Cardiovascular System. 3 hrs. (3-0) This course will educate the student in common pathologies and anomalies of the cardiovascular system. Patient history, lab values and symptomology will be correlated with abnormalities seen. At course completion the student will be able to identify common cardiac abnormalities on echocardiograms. As needed DMS 274 Echo Clinical. 5 hrs. (0-5) This course will allow the student to practice cardiac scanning skills in the clinical setting. Students will demonstrate competency in cardiovascular studies, including transthoracic, transesophageal, and intraluminal echocardiography. As needed

10