Diagnostic Medical Sonography  (2024)

If you are investigative and you want to help in the diagnosis of a patient’s illness or injury, a career in sonography might be right for you.

Sonography is a medical imaging procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the body. This accredited program prepares you to use ultrasound machines and other specialized equipment to perform diagnostic exams on patients. You’ll study normal and abnormal anatomy, pathophysiology of the abdomen, small body parts, OB/GYN and vascular structures.

Whether you want to work in a large hospital system, at an outpatient imaging center or at a specialty office, this program will provide you with the knowledge and hands-on clinical skills to enter the sonography workforce within 21 months.

Program Goals

The DMS program goal is to prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychom*otor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Educating in all 3 learning domains is accomplished through the strategically integrated program content including didactic, laboratory, and clinical internship.

• Assessment of the cognitive learning domain is accomplished through classroom discussion, written examinations, and laboratory assignments. Application of knowledge is assessed through completion of sonographic patient scans during clinical rotations.
• Assessment of the psychom*otor learning domain is accomplished through completion of laboratory assignments and clinical competency evaluations during clinical internship.
• Assessment of the affective learning domain is accomplished through observations of students in the classroom, laboratory setting, and at clinical sites.
• Graduates gaining full ARDMS credential provides additional validation of program course content and delivery.

Application Process

Please complete the following steps for consideration to participate in the DMS program selective interview process. All application materials are due by 6/28/2024 to the Registration Office in Building 15 (1810 N Greene Street, MS 2151).

1. Applicants are responsible for gaining admission to SCC and submitting official transcripts documenting completion of prerequisites to the SCC Transcript Office.
2. Complete the application worksheet and provide requested documentation to include:
   • Unofficial transcripts of all college credits
   • Volunteer documentation
   • Three professional reference letters in sealed envelope
3. Submission deadline for Fall quarter is June 28th of the year of application. Applications must be postmarked by 6/28 or dropped off at the Registration Office in Building 15 by 6/28.
4. Ensure current email address on file in ctcLink for notification of interview date and time (Interviews scheduled for 7/25-7/26) if application is complete.

Applicants should be aware that National Background Checks conducted during the first and fourth quarters of the program to ensure records are free of felonies or other infractions that might preclude clinical placement or employment in a field with access to vulnerable patients.

Within 30 days of clinical assignment, required immunizations and drug screening are collected. Additional information distributed during the first quarter of the program.

Sonography courses are limited to students officially enrolled in the DMS program.

Additional Application Requirements

Program start: Fall (competitive entry)
Pre-requisites: Yes
Program length: 7 quarters
Number of students each start: 16
Contact: Michelle Gendusa 509-533-8196 | Bill Rambo 509-533-7038 | Megan Fadeley 509-533-7039
Applications deadline: June 30^th

Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, Florida,33775-7709
Phone: 727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

JRC-DMS
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 443-973-3251
Fax: 866-738-3444
https://www.jrcdms.org/

1. Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with physicians, patients and other members of the healthcare team.
2. Competently perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures and obstetrics & gynecology disciplines on patients, while tailoring the examinations to enhance the presence of abnormalities.
3. Comprehend a clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the major adult and fetal diseases and deformities.
4. Establish the ability to quantify, subjectively evaluate and interpret the data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
5. Strive to meet the health care needs of the community.

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.