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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Summer 2018

Spokane Community College
1810 North Greene Street
Spokane, WA 99217-5399
https://scc.spokane.edu/

Enrollment:

Fall

Degrees and Certificates

AAS - SCC

Program Website:

View the program website

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/TuitionFees

Additional Costs

Books	$1200
Supplies and Equipment	$150
Misc. Fees*	$800
* Misc fee includes: uniforms, insurance, national registry exam, physical exam

Program Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an allied Health Profession where non-physician professionals perform a diagnostic procedure using high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. Sonography is used to examine many parts of the body: abdomen, breasts, OB/GYN, thyroid, scrotum, and blood vessels. It is also used to guide needles for tissue biopsy or drain an abnormal fluid collection from a body cavity. Sonography is a radiation-free imaging modality and procedures are performed at the request of a physician.

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Prior to starting a procedure, the sonographer must obtain an appropriate history, assess physical findings and review pertinent laboratory data. This information is used to tailor the procedure to ensure comprehensive and diagnostic images are acquired.

The program meets the criteria set forth by the Joint Review Committee on Diagnostic Medical Sonography and is accredited by CAAHEP. Upon completion and graduation of the program, graduates are able to take the national Abdomen and OB/GYN registry examinations administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Admission Requirements:

Sonography courses are limited to students of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program
Active email account required
Appropriate math score
Self-place into English
A 2.5 grade in each prerequisite course is required and course completion should be no older than 5 years
Admission to the DMS program is competitive and based on panel interview, pre-requisite course GPA, additional math, science, and healthcare related coursework, quality of reference letters, and completion of 40 hours volunteerism in healthcare and ultrasound.
A 2.0 (79%) is required in every program course to proceed to the next quarter
National background check is conducted 1st and 4th quarters of the program
Immunizations, current healthcare provider CPR, and 7 hour blood borne pathogen training are required prior to clinical internship in the 4th quarter
Selective clinical sites require a ten-panel drug screen within 30 days of clinical internship
Return to the program is based on "space available" and requires remedial work to demonstrate knowledge base appropriate with program re-entry point.
After re-entry, students may only repeat a class one time. Repeat of courses must be completed within two years.

Admission Recommendations:

Computer skills are recommended
Some students find completion of CHEM 120 Organic and Biochemistry for Health Sciences, and CHEM 121 helpful to learning in the program
Additional healthcare related courses such as HED 109, 129, or nursing assistant coursework

After entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, students are required to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade in each class before proceeding to the next quarter. Students need to realize that clinical site placement could require relocation outside of the immediate Spokane area for 10 months.

Program Learning Outcomes

Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with physicians, patients and other members of the healthcare team.
Competently perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures and obstetrics & gynecology disciplines on patients, while tailoring the examinations to enhance the presence of abnormalities.
Comprehend a clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the major adult and fetal diseases and deformities.
Establish the ability to quantify, subjectively evaluate and interpret the data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
Strive to meet the health care needs of the community.

Career Opportunities

Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly advancing specialty due to continued technological advances. The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates diagnostic medical sonography as one of the highest-paying jobs typically held by those with associate degrees. Typical sonographer employment sites include hospitals, imaging clinics, physician offices, and equipment manufacturers. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities for sonographers are excellent on a national level, but somewhat limited in the Inland Northwest.

AAS - SCC

Offered at Locations: Spokane Community College

Prerequisites
- BIOL&160	General Biology w/Lab
- BIOL&241	Human A & P 1
- BIOL&242	Human A & P 2
- CMST&210	Interpersonal Communication
- ENGL&101	English Composition I
- HED 125	Medical Terminology
- PHYS 100	Introductory Physics

First Quarter
HED 109	Human Physiology and Disease	5
SONO 111	Diagnostic Ultrasound I	2
SONO 112	Vascular Fundamentals	4
SONO 121	Human Cross-Section Anatomy	4
SONO 125	Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I	5
		20
Second Quarter
SONO 122	Vascular Procedures I	4
SONO 131	Diagnostic Ultrasound II	5
SONO 132	Abdominal Pathophysiology	4
SONO 135	Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II	5
		18
Third Quarter
SONO 123	Survey of Cardiac Sonography	5
SONO 141	Diagnostic Ultrasound III	5
SONO 144	OB/GYN Pathophysiology	4
		14
Fourth Quarter
SONO 142	Diagnostic Ultrasound IV	4
SONO 143	Sonography Clinical I	9
		13
Fifth Quarter
SONO 251	Advanced Sonography	4
SONO 253	Sonography Clinical II	9
		13
Sixth Quarter
SONO 263	Sonography Clinical III	13
		13
Seventh Quarter
SONO 273	Sonography Clinical IV	13
		13
104 credits are required for the AAS

1	MATH 097, 098, or 099 with a 2.0 or better within the last three years or appropriate placement score.

Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.

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