Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Associate of Applied Science
[ Alison Goodwin, Lacey Nichols ]
Diagnostic Medical Sonography uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of organs, masses, fluid collections, and vascular structures within the human body. Sonography is user-dependent, requiring competent and highly skilled professionals to be a part of the integral health care system. Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact, providing care to various people from healthy to critically ill. Sonographers produce diagnostic images/exams of body structures as directed by supervising physicians. Before the exam, the sonographer is responsible for obtaining a pertinent patient history. During the sonographic examination, the sonographer must provide for the needs and comfort of the patient and record anatomy, pathology, and/or other data to be used for interpretation by the supervising physician to aid in a diagnosis. Sonographers must know the normal structure and functional anatomy of the human body and use independent judgment in recognizing the need to perform images according to the sonographic findings.
The program is designed to prepare students for employment in hospitals or clinics as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. This program will focus on principles of sonographic physics and instrumentation, abdominal, obstetric & gynecologic, and advanced sonographic procedures in preparation for the ARDMS registry exam (a national certifying board examination).
The Medical Sonography program is a 12-month health science program. This is a full-time, in-class/clinical training program, and it is not recommended for those who cannot devote themselves as full-time students. Because technologists are on their feet for long periods of time and may lift or turn disabled patients, physical stamina is important (US Dept. of Labor).
CIP Code: 510910
Program Code: 8851
Prerequisites
Prerequisites — 26 hrs
(Prerequisite: ACT math subscore of 19 or above or MAT 1233 with a "C" or above.) This course includes the following topics with applications: inequalities; functions; linear and quadratic equations, and their graphs; rational, radical, and higher order equations; polynomial and rational functions; logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of equations. Three hours lecture.
English 1113 prepares the student to think critically and compose texts for academic and professional rhetorical situations. Three hours lecture.
(Prerequisite: ACT composite of 19 or credit in BIO 1534 with a "C" or above.) A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers the anatomical and physiological study of the human body as an integrated whole. The course includes detailed studies of: biological principles; tissues; and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
(Prerequisite: BIO 2514 with a "C" or above) A combined lecture and laboratory course that includes detailed studies of the anatomy and physiology of human special senses, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems, as well as reproduction and development. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
Choose either CSC 1123 Computer Applications or SPT 1113 Public Speaking
Choose from any fine arts classes.
Choose any Social or Behavioral Science course in sociology, psychology, political science, geography, economics, or educational psychology.
(Pre-requisite for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.) A combined lecture and laboratory course covering the concepts of mechanics, sound, light, fluids, and waves. Non-calculus based. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
A combined lecture and laboratory course that includes studies of measurements and units, electricity, mechanics, heat, sound, light, and astronomy. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
This course is designed to establish a knowledge base in radiographic, fluoroscopic, mobile, and tomographic equipment requirements and design. The content will also provide a basic knowledge of quality control. Computer applications in the radiologic sciences related to image capture, display, storage, and distribution are presented. Three hours lecture.
(Pre-requisite for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.) This course is a study of medical language relating to the various body systems including diseases, procedures, clinical specialities, and abbreviations. In addition to term definitions, emphasis is placed on correct spelling and pronunciation. Three hours lecture.
This course is an introduction to Radiologic Technology including professional, departmental, and historical aspects. Included are terminology, medical ethics, and legal concerns. Patient care procedures related to radiographic exams, body mechanics, emergency procedures for drug reactions and injured and critical care patients, and basic CPR techniques are also covered. Three hours lecture.
This course is designed to introduce the student respiratory care therapist to fundamental elements important to the delivery of health care in a safe, efficient, and professional manner. occurrences, clinical manifestations, treatment, and
*PHY 1213 Survey of Physics, PHY 2244 Physical Science I, OR RGT 1613 Physics of Imaging Equipment
**HIT 1213 (Medical Terminology) OR RGT 1213 (Fundamentals of Radiography) OR RCT 1213 (Respiratory Care Science)
First Year
Fall — 18 hrs
Students will be introduced to ultrasound equipment. Cleaning and disinfectant procedures will be shown. Types of film, paper printers, video recorders, scanning tables, ultrasound probes, and recording methods will be discussed. Legal/ethical issues and patient contact within the ultrasound department, as well as scanning protocols, are included. Students will learn the sonographer’s role in patient care.
This course provides students with ultrasound appearance of abdominal and pelvic sectional anatomy. It includes a description of gross sectional anatomy and identification of sonographic appearance of normal anatomy.
In-depth presentation of basic principles of diagnostic medical ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Description of diagnostic ultrasound transducers and ultrasound interaction with human tissue will be presented.
Presentation of pathology, pathophysiology of abdominal anatomy including liver, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, and vascular structures associated with organs, as well as the 57 abdominal cavities and the non-cardiac chest. Normal aging changes and laboratory values are presented.
This class includes clinical instruction in the scanning lab and in clinical site institutions. Students will first receive hands-on experience in the scanning lab and then in clinical site rotations.
Spring — 16 hrs
A continuation of Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I (DMS 1313). This class includes an in-depth presentation of image display modes, Doppler, color, and hemodynamics of diagnostic ultrasound. The causes of artifacts and how to scan safely, conduct instrument performance measurements, and prepare for registry examinations.
This course includes clinical practice and instruction in a clinical rotation site.
This class discusses pathology/ pathophysiology with female anatomy and obstetrical sonographic examinations. Sonographic appearance of the female pelvis premenopausal through post-menopausal and evaluation of pregnancy from conception to delivery will be discussed. Evaluating infertility and related laboratory values, as well as other imaging procedures, will be included.
Neurosonology, ophthalmology, adult cardiac, pediatric cardiac, and vascular technology will be discussed. Superficial structures scanning including prostate, thyroid, scrotum and breast will be included.
Summer — 9 hrs
This course is a clinical practice and instruction in a clinical affiliate. Areas included are patient care and management, operation of equipment, and sonographic procedures. All procedures will be performed under direct supervision.
This course will prepare students for ARDMS/ARRT certification examinations.
This course will present case studies of normal and abnormal sonographic exams. Students will attend presentations of guest lecturers.