Diagnostic Medical Sonography

ONLINE APPLICATION

A.A.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

85 Credits
Program Length:
Track One: 90 Weeks
Total Clock Hours: 2115
Track Two: 90 Weeks
Total Clock Hours: 2130

The mission of Mandl School- The College of Allied Health’s Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is to provide a quality and overall comprehensive education in sonography in a learner-centered environment. As a result, the graduates will obtain required knowledge and skills needed to perform quality sonograms; serve as integral members of the health care team by providing the physician accurate sonographic images that the physician utilizes to diagnose patients’ illnesses; think critically and problem-solve to meet the required examination protocol and technical needs of patients; and embrace the concept that learning is a life-long experience in order to maintain currency in the dynamic field of sonography.

Mandl’s DMS Degree consists of two parallel tracks: Track 1 will concentrate on specialties in Abdomen and Ob/Gyn and Track 2 will concentrate on specialties in adult echo-cardiography and cardio-vascular technology. Both tracks are designed to prepare entry-level sonographers for employment in Imaging departments, Radiology, Cardiology and Vascular offices and specialty practices, with each being a length of six semesters for completion.

The A.A.S in DMS program tracks is designed for students who wish to explore the field of sonography, as well as those who have made a career decision to seek certification from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly specialized members of the health care team who provide patient services using ultrasound under the direction of a physician. Sonographers provide care essential to diagnostic ultrasound imaging by operating equipment and performing examinations for medical diagnosis. Sonographers have an in-depth knowledge of physics, disease processes, physiology, cross-sectional anatomy, positioning and sonographic techniques necessary to create ultrasound images. The Associate degree will offer the student a well-structured academic and clinical program. Students are trained to be skilled health care professionals and use their education and training to create images of the internal body structures to aid physicians to make medical diagnosis.

Students who successfully complete either program track may apply to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography -ARDMS certification examination in Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) during the fourth semester of the degree plan program. Successful completion of the ARDMS SPI exam and specialty exams is required to earn the RDMS and RCDS and RVT. To sit for the exam, the student must be enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program in DMS and CVT.ARDMS has recognized CAAHEP established program standards in the above described program areas.

The Goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs are:

• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended concentration.
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the obstetrics and gynecology concentration.
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the adult cardiac concentration.
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the vascular concentration.
• To maintain high retention, as well as ensure adherence to the highest academic and professional standards by students and graduates.
• To serve as a resource for clinical agencies in the tri-state area.
• To provide an educational experience that promotes effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and professionalism, including soft skills.
• To promote the development of core values and ethical standards necessary for the delivery of quality, patient-centered care.
• To provide a clinical educational experience that enables students to perform routine sonographic procedures and related functions specific to General Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Echocardiography as well as Cardiovascular sonography.

Discipline Specific Learning Outcomes and Competencies:

At the conclusion of the program and a student’s selected course of study (track), he or she will:

• Demonstrate the ability to perform diagnostic quality general abdomen, obstetrics, or adult cardiac, and vascular (as applicable) sonographic examinations.
• Evaluate the normal, abnormal, and normal variant sonographic appearances of organs and structures of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, and the gravid and non-gravid female pelvis, or the adult heart and the vascular system (as applicable).
• Be a skilled medical sonographer who actively applies accepted principles and techniques within the fields of Diagnostic Medical or Cardiac Sonography and cardio-vascular technology throughout his or her career.
• Function in the capacity of an entry-level sonographer who acquires diagnostic ultrasound images of the patient’s anatomy to aid the physician in the diagnosis of various pathological conditions.
• Act in the best interest of the patient and the employing institution through the prudent use of safety measures, techniques, and equipment to prevent harm to patient, facility, or oneself.
• Act within the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional Scope of Practice as outlined by the Society of Diagnostic Medical and Cardio-Vascular Sonographers.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures.
• Assimilate pertinent clinical information, ultrasound findings, and knowledge of normal and abnormal conditions into a cohesive and complete ultrasound examination for interpreting physicians.
• Communicate effectively with patients, family members, hospital staff, and the general public, and demonstrate professionalism in all actions and communications.
• Demonstrate professional integrity, honesty, dependability, respect for self and others, compassion, and an ability to protect patient confidentiality and trust at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow OSHA standards in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain quality control of the ultrasound equipment.
• Be eligible to sit for and be able to pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS. ARDCS. RVT) specialty certification exams upon graduation.

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
A.A.S. Diagnostic Medical Sonography Track One
Concentration in Abdomen & OB/GYN Sonography
Prepares students for RDMS Credentials

Core Requirements (23 credits)
ALH175 Law and Ethics for Allied Health Professionals 3 credits
BIO115 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO215 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
ENG101 English Composition 3
MAT102 Advanced College Math 3
PHY101 Physics 3
SPH101 Interpersonal Communications 3

Elective General Education Courses (3 Credits)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology 3

Major Requirements (59 Credits)
DMS100 Intro to Sonography, Medical Terminology & Patient Care 3 credits
DMS105 Ultrasound Physics 4
DMS110 Cross Sectional Anatomy/ Superficial Structures 3
DMS115 Ultrasound Physics II 3
DMS120 Pathophysiology (Abdomen) I 3
DMS125 Pathophysiology (OB/GYN) I 3
DMS130 Pathophysiology (Abdomen) II 3
DMS135 Pathophysiology (OB/GYN) II 3
DMS140 Pathophysiology (OB/GYN) III 2
DMS145 Advanced Topics 2
DMS150 Pathophysiology Superficial Structures 3
DMS155 SPI Registry Review for Specialty Exams 1
DMS500 Registry Review 2
DMSC100 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical I 12
DMSC200 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical II 12
TOTAL CREDITS              85

 
A.A.S. Diagnostic Medical Sonography Track Two
Concentration in Vascular Technology& Adults Echocardiography
Prepares students for RDCS & RVT Credentials

Core Requirements (23 credits)
ALH175 Law and Ethics for Allied Health Professionals 3 credits
BIO115 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO215 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
ENG101 English Composition 3
MAT102 Advanced College Math 3
PHY101 Physics 3
SPH101 Interpersonal Communications 3

Elective General Education Courses (3 Credits)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology 3

Major Requirements (59 Credits)
CVT120 Echocardiography I 3 credits
CVT125 Vascular Pathology I 3
CVT130 Echocardiography II 3
CVT135 Vascular Pathology II 3
CVT140 Cardiovascular Pharmacology 3
CVT145 Cardiovascular Clinical Research 4
CVT500 Registry Review 2
CVTC100 Cardiovascular Technology Clinical I 12
CVTC200 Cardiovascular Technology Clinical II 12
DMS100 Intro to Sonography, Medical Terminology & Patient Care 3
DMS105 Ultrasound Physics 4
DMS110 Cross Sectional Anatomy/ Superficial Structures 3
DMS115 Ultrasound Physics II 3
DMS155 SPI Registry Review for Specialty Exams 1
TOTAL CREDITS              85