Programs

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General)
930 Hours 46.5 weeks

Program Description:

General Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program prepares students to perform diagnostic quality ultrasound examinations required of an entry-level general sonographer to include, but not be limited to, the abdomen, small parts and superficial structures. Students are also introduced to vascular ultrasound. The student will study the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of scanned organ systems, recognize the sonographic patterns of the organs, learn the protocols for a logical and thorough survey of the organs, and provide accurate and technical impressions to the interpreting physician. The student shall learn to work effectively with other allied health care professionals, patients, and families to promote patient safety and accurate impressions for diagnosis. The core curriculum is structured to include an on-campus lecture component, an on-campus imaging laboratory component, and an off-campus clinical externship component. Graduates of the General Diagnostic Imaging program shall receive a certificate of achievement, and shall be prepared, upon graduation, to seek entry-level employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (General) Outline

Course Number	Course Title	Clock Hours
DMS 110	Math/Algebra	30
DMS 111	Communications/Heath Orientation	20
DMS 112	Anatomy & Physiology # 1/ Integrated Clinical	40
DMS 113	Anatomy & Physiology # 2/ Integrated Clinical	40
DMS 114	Ultrasound Physics & instrumentations	100
DMS 115	Abdomen #1 / Lecture / Practicum/Integrated Clinical	140
DMS 116	Abdomen #2 / Lecture / Practicum/ Integrated Clinical	140
DMS 117	Small Parts/ Lecture/ Practicum/ Integrated Clinical	100
DMS 118	Cerebrovascular and Venous Duplex scanning/ Integrated Clinical	70
	Total Clinical Hours Total Lecture Hours	450 480

DMS 110 Math/Algebra
This course will introduce students to mathematics as it is related to diagnostic sonography topics include basic mathematical concepts: problem solving and critical thinking, sets, logic, numeration systems, geometry, counting techniques, and probability and statistics.

DMS 111 Communications/Heath Orientation
Students beginning career in the diagnostic sonography program will gain basic entry level knowledge and skills required for an entry level allied health occupation such as diagnostic medical sonography.  Courses of study will include introduction to healthcare systems and agencies, legal, personal, and ethical responsibilities, promotion of safety, infection control, awareness of OSHA, HIPPA, and FERPA regulations, CPR and participation in a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 112 Anatomy & Physiology # 1/ Integrated Clinical
This course is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the systems and organs of the human body and the interrelationships of the body’s systems. Courses of study will include musculoskeletal system, nervous system, endocrine system as well as a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 113 Anatomy & Physiology # 2/ Integrated Clinical
This course is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the systems and organs of the human body and the interrelationships of the body’s systems. Courses of study will included, cardiovascular system, immune system respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, as well as a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 114 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
Course of study concentrates on the physical principles of ultrasound.  Courses of study will included continuous wave and pulsed wave parameters, propagation of sound artifacts, wave strength, system components, transducer architecture, doppler basic principles and practical application associated with the ultrasound system along with a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 115 Abdomen #1 / Lecture / Practicum/Integrated Clinical
Course of study reviews anatomy and physiology with emphasis on, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Course of study includes medical terminology, normal/ abnormal sonographic appearances, discussions of associated pathological conditions, hands on scanning in the schools imaging laboratory, along with a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 116 Abdomen #2 / Lecture / Practicum/ Integrated Clinical
Course of study reviews anatomy and physiology with emphasis on, urinary tract, adrenal glands reticulo-endothelial system. Course of study includes normal/abnormal sonographic appearances, medical terminology, discussions of associated pathological conditions, hands on scanning in the schools imaging laboratory, along with a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 117 Small Parts/ Lecture/ Practicum/ Integrated Clinical  
Course of study reviews anatomy and physiology with emphasis on thyroid and parathyroid glands, superficial structures, male reproduction. Course of study includes normal/abnormal sonographic appearances, discussions of associated pathological conditions, hands on scanning in the schools imaging laboratory, along with a patient care integrated clinical.

DMS 118 Cerebrovascular and Venous Duplex scanning/ Integrated Clinical
Course of study reviews anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system with emphasis on extracranial arterial, extremity venous and abdominal vasculature. Course of study includes doppler techniques required to perform vascular studies, normal/abnormal sonographic appearances, discussions of associated pathological conditions, hands on scanning in the schools imaging laboratory, along with a patient care integrated clinical.

 EXTERN Full-Time Clinical Externship
Course of study includes observation and participation in those tasks required of an entry level sonographer in the clinical environment. All students will be treated equally in clinical placement procedures. Students are not at anytime employees of an externship facility and are expected to observe and participate in those tasks required of an entry level sonographer solely for education purposes. Course of study includes correlation of didactic knowledge with patient history, apply knowledge of protocols and pathologies found in the clinical environment, hands on training in a true working clinical environment. Students will complete a log of observation and participation while in attendance.