Program Specific Information | HCTC

Education & Training

Program Specific Information

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)Associate of Applied Science Degree

Didactic / Clinical Relationship

This program has a strong theory and hands-on component. Lecture courses develop cognitive skills, whereas the lab and experiential opportunities develop psychomotor skills. Affective skills are learned and practiced in both the classroom and experiential setting. The student/sonographer ratio is 1:1 in all clinical affiliates, providing each student with individual instruction.

This program requires students to complete (23 credit hours) of clinical experience. The clinical requirement is performed at several health care facilities that provide students with hands-on real work experience. The clinical rotations are scheduled so that students have exposure to multiple environments and locations. This provides access to different types of equipment and technology.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical facilities.

Enrollment in the program may be restricted due to limited laboratory/clinical facilities or faculty and financial resources.

Expenses and Financial Assistance

In addition to tuition, students are responsible for transportation to the various clinical sites, professional liability insurance, books, and uniforms. Any student seeking Financial Assistance should contact the Financial Aid Office at 436-5721 Ext. 73061 or 73060.

Program Curriculum

General Education Courses:

*Pre-requisite for entry into the program:

*BIO 137 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and
4
*BIO 139 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
4
*MAT 150 College Algebra
3
*ENG 101 Writing I
3
*PHY 151 Introductory Physics I OR
3
*PHY 152 Introductory Physics II OR
(3)
*PHY 171 Applied Physics
(4)
  *Social/Behavioral Science
3
  *Heritage/Humanities/Foreign Language Course
3
 
Sub Total
19-24

Support Course:

*AHS 120 Medical Terminology
1
*NAA 100 Nursing Assistant Skills
0-3
*CPR 100 CPR for Healthcare Professionals
0-1

*Note: All general education courses and the support courses listed are considered pre-requisites to enroll in the first sonography course and must be completed with a grade of "C" or greater.

Core Courses:

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
69-76

CPR Certificate for healthcare professionals is required prior to enrolling in DMS 109 and is required to be kept current throughout the program.

Applicants who are not graduates of a 2-year accredited Allied Health Program or have the 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.

Application Process for Admission to the Program

Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is based on selected admission process. In order to be considered for admission each applicant must submit the following credentials by the deadline October 1st, 2024 in order to be considered by the committee.

  1. Application for admission to the college;
  2. Official transcripts of all postsecondary education or training;
  3. ACT composite score report;
  4. Documentation denoting completion of NAA 100 with a grade of "C" or better or a graduate of a two-year accredited Allied Heath Program;
  5. Documentation denoting completion of each Diagnostic Medical Sonography pre-requisite courses with a grade of "C" or better; and
  6. Pre-admission conference with the Director or designee is required prior to admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. The next class admission will be Spring 2025.

Preference may be given to:

  1. Applicants with an ACT composite score of 21 or above;
  2. Applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better (4.0) in 10 hours of college credit applicable to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program; and
  3. Applicants who have graduated or 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 clinically related field.

Admissions Checklist:

When applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at HCTC, several requirements are necessary in order to be considered as an applicant. All applicants must:

  1. Complete and return an admission application to HCTC.
  2. Send all post-secondary education and/or vocational school transcripts.
  3. Attend a pre-admission conference, complete a pre-admission conference form
    and return it to the Sonography Director at that time.
  4. Submit scoring results of the ACT report.

NOTE: The above information is to be forwarded to the HCTC Records Office.

The student is responsible for assuring their file is complete.

Technical Standards

Diagnostic Medical Sonography involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of Diagnostic Medical Sonography technical functions.

Therefore, all applicants should possess:

  1. Sufficient visual acuity for the observation necessary for patient assessment and care.
  2. Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices (e.g., cardiac monitors, biomedical equipment, fire alarms, etc.).
  3. Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, positioning and lifting patients required in meeting health needs related to Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
  4. Sufficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speech, reading, and writing), such as are needed in classroom and clinical settings to interact with patients and professional personnel.
  5. Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

Contact Information

Program Assistant
April Baker
Phone: (606) 487-3394
(800) 246-7521, ext 73394
Email: abaker0275@kctcs.edu

Additional Information

The Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTCS) and the Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) are equal educational and employment opportunity institutions and does not discriminate on the  basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, or genetic information.  Further, we vigilantly prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. 

Students may be required to have a criminal background check and or drug screening done in order to enter the health care facilities for clinical. Students are responsible for the cost. Based on the results the facility has the right to deny students admission to the site for clinical. This may jeopardize the students academic success because the student may not be able to complete the required clinical experience of the program.

DMS Program Accreditation

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

CAAHEP Contact:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

9355 – 113th St. N. #7709

Seminole, FL 33775

Phone: 727-210-2350

Fax 727-2102354