Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Statewide Program

View Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S. (TP/SS)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S. (TP/SS)

Revised— Effective Semester: Fall 2006

Students who plan a major in diagnostic medical sonography will be assigned the temporary major of pre-diagnostic medical sonography, with POS code 530, until they are officially admitted to the diagnostic medical sonography program. Students may take preparatory courses and courses that fulfill general education requirements during the waiting period. As an alternative to being assigned a temporary major, students waiting for admission to the diagnostic medical sonography program may choose to major in general studies or any other open-admission program. The Admissions & Records at Takoma Park/Silver Spring will assign a matriculated code once students are admitted to the diagnostic medical sonography program.

This curriculum, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, requires a minimum of two years of didactic and clinical experience. It provides a foundation for graduates to become highly skilled in providing patient services using diagnostic ultrasound under the supervision of a physician in hospitals, offices, and other health care settings. Reflected ultrasound waves are utilized by the sonographer to display images of body tissues on a video monitor. The sonographer is responsible for performing the examination, providing patient care, and recording anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by the physician.

Admission requirements, including specific criteria, have been established by the Board of Trustees; see the Admissions and Registration Section of the print College catalog.

Students need to meet prerequisites for first semester courses. Each of the diagnostic medical sonography courses builds upon materials offered in previous courses. Students in this curriculum are required to achieve a grade of C or better in each sonography course and maintain current CPR certification while enrolled in the program.

Upon completion of this curriculum the graduate will receive an A.A.S. and be eligible to sit for the national registry exam, administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, in one or more of the following specialties: abdominal sonography, breast sonography, obstetrics/gynecology sonography, adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, or vascular sonography.

Program Outcomes for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S. Degree

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

• Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
• Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
• Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
• Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other noninvasive diagnostic services.
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
• Act in a professional and ethical manner.
• Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other non-invasive diagnostic vascular techniques and promote principles of good health.
• Recognize the sonographic appearance of normal and abnormal tissue structures.
• Protect the patient’s right to privacy.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Perform within the scope of practice.
• Understand the fundamental elements for implementing a quality assurance and improvement program and the policies, protocols, and procedures for the general function of the ultrasound laboratory.
• Recognize the importance of continuing medical education.

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Refer to course description pages to identify courses with prerequisites.
Courses in italics meet General Education requirements.