Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate In Applied Science
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a highly-skilled profession which uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body used by physicians to make medical diagnoses. Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill.
What are my career choices?
A general/vascular track offers instruction in the specialty areas of abdominal, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular sonography. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer may seek employment in a variety of clinical settings including; hospitals, specialty clinics, outpatient clinics, private physician offices, mobile and travel companies.
Job Outlook
Diagnostic Medical Sonography has been identified as much faster than average employment growth by the U.S. Department of Labor. Overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2019 to 2029. As the large baby-boom population ages, the need to diagnose medical conditions—such as blood clots and heart disease—will likely increase. Imaging technology is a tool used in making these diagnoses.
Pay
The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $57,720 in May 2019. The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $74,320 in May 2019.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Curriculum
MT 150/MAT 150 College Algebra 3
ENG 101 Writing I 3
Heritage/Humanities/Foreign Language Course 3
Social/Behavioral Sciences 3
BIO 137 Human Anatomy & Physiology I AND 4
BIO 139 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
PHY 151 Introductory Physics I OR 3
PHY 152 Introductory Physics II OR (3)
PHY 171 Applied Physics (4)
Subtotal 19-24
DMS 109 Sonography I 7
DMS 119 Ultrasonic Physics and Instrumentation 6
DMS 126 Clinical Education I 3-4
DMS 115 Sonography II 6
DMS 230 Clinical Education II 5-8
DMS 240 Clinical Education III 5-8
DMS 255 Vascular Technology 6
DMS 260 Vascular Clinical Education 6
Total Credits 68-76
AHS 120 Medical Terminology 1
*NAA 100 Nursing Assistant Skills 0-3
**CPR 100 CPR for Healthcare Professionals 0-1
*Applicants who are not graduates of a two-year accredited Allied Health program or who have a minimum of an Associate of Applied Science degree in a clinically related field must complete NAA 100, Nursing Assistant Skills I, in order to be considered for the program.
**CPR certification for healthcare professionals is required prior to enrolling in DMS 109 and is required to be kept current throughout the program.
NOTE: All general education courses and the support courses listed above are considered prerequisite to enroll in the first DMS course with a grade of “C” or greater.
Application Process
Sonography program, the following credentials must be on file in the Records Office prior to October 1, 2021, for the Spring 2022 class in order to be considered by the committee.
1. Application for admission to college.
2. Transcripts of all post-secondary education or training.
3. Results of the ACT composite score report.
4. Documentation denoting completion of NAA 100, with a grade of C or greater or a graduate of a two-year accredited Allied Health program.
5. Documentation denoting completion of each DMS prerequisite courses, with a grade of C or greater.
6. Pre-admission conference with the Director or designee is required prior to admission to the DMS program.
All students are responsible for verifying their file is complete prior to the admission deadline. If your file is not complete by the designated deadline, you will not be considered as an applicant for the DMS Program.
Criteria for Admission
Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is open to all qualified students, regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, national origin, or handicap. Admission is granted to applicants with the highest index points. Preference may be given to the following:
1. Applicants with an ACT composite score of 21 or higher.
2. Applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better (4-point scale) in 10 hours of college credits applicable to the DMS program.
3. Applicants who have graduated or who are in their final semester of a two-year accredited Allied Health program or have the minimum of an Associate of Applied Science degree in a clinically-related field.
Accreditation
The Hazard Community and Technical College Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; Telephone: (727) 210-2350; Fax: (727) 210-2354; E-mail: mail@caahep.org; Website: http://www.caahep.org.
