|
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
2yrs. (excluding July) 4
days/week Chesapeake Campus
Information |
Admission Requirements | Pre-Requisite
Coursework Requirements|
Student Selection Process |
Background Checks | Advanced
Placement Guidelines | Program Costs
| Health Standards |
Technical / Clinical Standards
| FAQs
Information
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography
program will provide education to students desiring a position
as a medical sonographer in a hospital, clinic or physician's
office. The program is designed to provide training in
abdominal, ob/gyn, as well as vascular sonography. The
curriculum includes a combination of classroom, laboratory
instruction, as well as clinical practice in area hospitals,
doctors' offices, and clinics.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography
program is Six (6) semesters or twenty-two (22) months in
length, as students are exempt from class the month of July.
A certificate of completion is awarded to students upon
completion of the required curriculum. With the completion of
the program, students will be eligible for the American
Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, in the areas of
physics, abdomen, ob/gyn, and vascular imaging.
Admission Requirements
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Program at Collins Career Center offers a certificate plan of
study for those individuals who have completed the Diagnostic
Medical Sonography Program. Approximately ten students will be accepted per program/per year. The program
is a two (2) year program. The following admission procedure
will be followed:
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A Pre-Entrance Exam is required
for the program. The only exception to the pre-entrance
exam is an ACT score of 21 or above received within the past
5 years. These tests are given at the Collins Career Center
Chesapeake Campus. You do not need to pre-register to take
the test, however, you will need to be there about 15
minutes early to allow sufficient time for registration, to
pay your fee, and find the room. There is a $25
non-refundable fee to take the pre-entrance exam and this
must be paid in the form of cash or money order. You may
call the adult education office, 740-867-6641 Ext. 400, to
inquire information regarding times and dates.
Applied
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If you are concerned about being
able to make required scores and you would like to "brush up"
on some of your skills prior to the pre-entrance exam, the
Collins Career Center's ABLE program is available for tutoring
services Monday-Thursday, 2:30pm-7:30pm. For more
information, please contact the Adult Education office at
740-867-6641 Ext. 400.
-
If a student is not successful
with the pre-entrance examination, students may decide to
choose a different allied health program that corresponds
with their test scores or the student may choose to retest.
Before a student can take the pre-entrance examination a
second time they are required to participate in a 15 hour
remediation course prior to the retest. To schedule this
remediation course, please contact Collins Career Center at
740-867-6641 Ext. 504 or the Workforce Development Resource
Center at 740-532-3140. If the scores of the retest meet
the requirements of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography
program, students will be reconsidered for admission to the
program. If again unsuccessful, students will be required
to take a college level course in the content area that does
not meet program standards.
Individuals with a passing score on
all parts of the pre-entrance examination will be mailed an
application packet for admission into the Diagnostic Medical
Sonography program. The application must be completed (in
full) before the admission date (the last Friday of May) of each calendar
year. There is a $10.00 application fee to be paid when the
application is returned to Collins Career Center.
Pre-Requisite Coursework Requirements
| The following are considered
prerequisites for the DMS Program in compliance with ARDMS
guidelines: 1. General Physics (passed with an average
of 70% or greater)
2. Anatomy & Physiology
3. Algebra (High School Algebra is accepted if
within the last 5 years)
4. Communication Skills
5. Medical Terminology
6. Introduction to Diagnostic Sonography
7. Computer Fundamentals
8. Sectional Anatomy
*
This course if offered on the Collins Career Center
Campus. |
Student Selection Process
|
The selection process
for the DMS Program consists of a point system, selecting
the highest scores first and proceeding until all slots
are filled.
The following is the
point system utilized in the selection process:
|
General education courses
completed |
|
|
College Algebra |
10 points |
|
Human
Anatomy |
10 points |
|
Physics |
10 points |
|
Written Communication |
10 points |
|
Medical
Terminology |
10 points |
|
Intro
to Computers |
10 points |
|
ACT composite score of 21 or
better |
20 points |
|
ACT Science score of 18 or
better |
10 points |
|
ACT Math score of 18 or better |
10 points |
|
College GPA or 3.0 or better |
20 points |
|
High School GPA of 3.0 or better |
20 points |
|
Work Keys Exam |
20 points |
|
Sixteen (16) hours job shadowing |
20 points |
|
8
Vascular,
8 General |
|
|
College Chemistry |
5 points |
|
College Psychology |
5 points |
|
Introduction to DMS |
10 points |
|
Sectional Anatomy |
10 points |
**
Job Shadowing requirements include 8 hours in general
Sonography under direct supervision of an ARMS
Sonographer and 8 hours in vascular Sonography under
direct supervision of a RVT. Appropriate forms
must be completed with the application to receive full
credit
In the event of a tie for the
final opening for the program, the selection will be
determined by college GPA or high school GPA, if neither
prospective student has had a post secondary education.
Students are notified by mail
when they are accepted into the program. In the event we
are not successful in contacting a candidate by mail or
telephone, they will be eliminated and the next available
candidate will be considered. |
Background Checks
A Criminal Record Check is required for all
health students prior to the beginning of clinicals. National
Background Check, Incorporated will be at Collins Career
Center in October and March of each school year to provide
this service.
The students are to bring the
following items:
-
State issued ID
-
$69.00 cash
Students in the following programs
must be fingerprinted at the October date:
-
Dialysis
-
Massage Therapy
-
Paramedic
-
Patient Care Technician
-
Pharmacy Technician
-
Practical Nursing
-
Respiratory 1
-
Surgical Technology
Students in the following programs
must be fingerprinted at the March date:
Program
Costs
- If the pre-requisites are granted from Collins Career
Center, the tuition costs will be as follows: $150.00 per
pre-requisite.
- Tuition for the program is $7,000 per year. Fees are
approximately $1,410. Books are approximately $1,200 (both
years). The total cost for the two (2) years is
approximately $18,410.
Note: the estimated cost of the Diagnostic Medical
Sonography Program does not include the cost of the national
board exam through the ARDMS, as this cost varies according to
which specialty the student wishes to become certified in. The
student will be responsible for this cost.
If more detailed information is required regarding
tuition, please contact 740-867-6641 ext. 410.
Advanced Placement Guidelines
1.
Students requesting admission to the school via transfer from
another approved school of diagnostic medical sonography shall
meet the school's current admission requirements and
curriculum requirements fro currently enrolled students.
2. Students must submit an official
transcript from an approved school listing completed courses.
3. Students must submit copies of
course outlines for which they are requesting credit. Faculty
will review transcripts and outlines to determine admission.
4. Challenge examinations and
skills assessments will be required to determine applicants'
competencies.
5. Tuition and fees will be
determined on an individual basis.
An applicant
may be considered for admission with advanced standing if:
-
The applicant withdrew at the end
of the term in a previous class with a passing grade in all
courses. (Must have been within the previous year. If over
1 year, the applicant must start at the beginning of the
program.)
-
The applicant is a direct transfer
from another school.
To apply for advanced standing, the
applicant must:
*Applicants shall be admitted with
advanced standing only if there is an opening in the program
and a plan can be worked out for assuring that all the program
objectives can be met.
**Students may request transfer of
college credits for Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology,
Basic Physics, Biology, College Algebra, and Computer
Literacy. In order to accept credit for these courses, the
following guidelines must be met:
1. The course must have been
completed at an accredited college.
2. The course must have been
completed within the last 5 years. (If over 5 years ago, the
student may be able to test our at the discretion of the
instructor.)
3. The course must have been
completed with a grade of "C" or above.
Health Standards
All students are required to
complete an individual student health questionnaire. For the
DMS Program, students are required to secure a physical
examination prior to program acceptance. Students should be
in a sufficient state of health to successfully pursue the
diagnostic medical sonography program.
Technical / Clinical Standards
|
Diagnostic
Medical Sonographers function in a broad spectrum of
clinical situations. In order to ensure patient safety
and provide accurate diagnostic information, sonographers
must be able to adapt and perform in a variety of
settings. Certain skills and abilities are needed to
function as a professional sonographer. The following are
non-academic criteria, which all students in the
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are expected to meet
in order to participate in the clinical courses and
professional practice.
Physical Activity:
- Long periods of standing
and frequent walking.
- Repetitive motion
activities (scanning, entering computer date)
- Grasping (positioning
patients for exams)
- Pulling and pushing on
equipment and stretchers.
- Lifting more than 50
pounds routinely.
- Speaking in a clear
comprehensible manner.
- Performing fine gross
motor skills with both hands.
- Receive detailed
information through oral communication and make fine
discriminations in sound.
- Work with printed and/or
written documentation.
- Assess patient conditions,
i.e., color, respirations, motion, etc.
- Visually discriminate
shades of gray and various shades of color.
- Visual assessment of
images on computer terminals and video recordings.
Communication:
- Communicate effectively
with patients and others.
- Assess non-verbal
communications.
- Effectively and
efficiently transmit information to patients, fellow
students, faculty, and all members of the health care
team while keeping within the guidelines of
confidentiality.
Intellectual and Quantitative
Abilities:
- Measure, calculate,
reason, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize.
- Comprehend three
dimensional relationships.
|
FAQ's
Can I work while I am in the
program?
A general College guideline
indicates that students taking 12 or more hours (full-time)
may find it difficult to work while going to school. The
curriculum of this program is considered a high degree of
difficulty and it is suggested a student not be employed while
taking this program. However, the student will have weekends
free and it is not the practice of the school to deny a
student seeking employment as long as the student is able to
complete the course requirements successfully as stated in the
Program Requirements for Graduation. During the final
semester of the program , if a clinical site wishes to hire a
student and the work schedule does not interfere with the
student's ability to successfully complete their class work to
obtain graduation, it will be permitted.
**Students may not take either the
responsibility or the place of qualified staff. It is not
permissible for a student to work as entry-level sonographers
without having received adequate training and met satisfactory
competency.
What happens if I become pregnant during
the DMS Program?
The Pregnancy Policy states
any restriction indicated by the student's physician must be
provided in writing to the Program Director. After delivery,
a release note must be provided from the physician,
identifying any activity restriction or stating when the
student is permitted to resume normal activity. The student
must make up all clinical time missed, complete all course
requirements and clinical competencies not completed as a
consequence of the pregnancy to complete the requirements for
the DMS course.
How long will it take before I can start
the clinical portion of my program?
The length of course time prior
to clinical rotation is twelve (12) weeks.
Can I re-enter the program if I withdraw?
Yes. Students need to refer to the
re-entrance policy stated in the Allied Health Handbook.
What facilities are used for the DMS
clinical experience?
The sonography program at CCC has
10-15 clinical sites to employ all aspects of the program.
These departments are located in hospitals, medical imaging
clinics, mobile ultrasound, as well as doctor's offices.
Will I do all my training at one hospital?
No. The vast majority of your
training will normally take place at one facility, but special
rotations to other facilities are used. This means that you
will be assigned to another facility for a period of time and
this may occur more than once during your training.
How far do students have to travel for
their clinical rotations?
Clinical rotations will be
divided equally among all students based on where the
student lives, the type of rotation needed, and the
experience available in different departments. It is
the responsibility of the the Program Director and/or the
Clinical Coordinator to assign clinical rotations for all
students. Students must expect to have a few rotations
that require some distance to travel (approximately 3-4 hours one-way).
Is transportation provided to the clinical
site?
No. Students must provide their own
transportation.
How does CCC's sonography program differ
form other sonography programs?
CCC's DMS Program offers study areas
of general sonography as well as vascular sonography, without
the students needing to make a choice, providing a well
rounded education. Students will gain both classroom and
clinical experience in three areas and be eligible for the
national ultrasound board exams in all areas. This will make
the student more marketable to area medical facilities.
How long does it take to complete the
medical sonography program?
It takes approximately 2-3 years to
complete CCC's sonography program, considering pre-requisites
that are required prior to acceptance into the program. These
courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Algebra, Physics, English,
Sectional Anatomy, Computer Technology, Introduction to
Sonography, and English Once the pre-requisites are accomplished, the DMS
program takes two (2) years to complete.
Is there a laboratory on campus?
The medical sonography scan lab at
CCC is state-of-the-art. Students have the unique opportunity
to practice their skills on up-to-date ultrasound equipment as
well as visualize many different types of pathology by
utilizing one of the newest tools in ultrasound education:
the ultrasound simulator. This cutting edge technology allows
the student to perform simulated ultrasound procedures on a
mannequin with the aid of computer software that replicates
ultrasound images. Actual hands-on scanning begins the very
first day of the sonography program. Under close supervision
by faculty, students are instructed on how to begin the
sonographic examination, proper imaging technique, and the
ergonomics of scanning.
Can I attend the program part-time?
No. Unfortunately, the program
requires the combination of classroom instruction and clinical
instruction in each of the sonography specialties to occur at
the same time. You will likely be in class two days a week
and in clinical the other two days of the week.
How many students are accepted into the
program each year?
Approximately 10. The number of
students depends largely upon the number of clinical rotations
available.
Will I be able to find a job when I
graduate?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor has stated
that imaging professionals are in great demand and the need is
increasing as medical imaging has seen a large increase of
examination volume, due to an aging population and
preventative care. Employment of diagnostic medical
sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for
all occupations through 2012 as the population grows and ages,
increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic
technology. Collins Career Center's job placement program
will assist the student in any way they can. The student will
also receive assistance in writing a resume.
What is the expected rate of salary?
Starting salaries usually range from
$36,000-$55,000. Graduates find work with: colleges and
universities, equipment manufacturers, hospitals, mobile
companies, outpatient centers, physician offices, private
imaging centers, and research centers.
The Collins Career Center
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational
Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint
Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical
Sonography (JRC-DMS). |
