Medical Imaging, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate of Applied Science

Program Information

A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a person qualified to provide patient imaging using ultrasound technology and equipment under the supervision of a medical doctor to examine many parts of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, female and male reproductive systems, and more.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at San Jacinto College:

• Prepares students to work in entry-level positions in hospitals and other health care facilities through hands-on laboratory practice and a variety of clinical rotations;
• Trains students to use high frequency sound waves to produce images used for assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. The program concentrates on imaging the organs of the abdomen, pelvis, superficial structures as well as obstetrics; and
• Grants students eligibility to apply to take exams for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

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

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113^th Street N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Additional Information

• Full-time days for classes; variable shifts for clinicals
• Partnership with approximately 17 clinical facilities around Houston area (including Pearland, Texas Medical Center, and Galveston); and
• Typical school calendar is followed (16-week spring and fall terms; 13-week summer term).

Career Opportunities

Employment of sonographers is expected to grow by 44 percent by 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D- and 4D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis.

Earning Potential

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: $71,380 per year¹

Campus

Central Campus

Information

Medical Imaging Technology consists of two Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and three certificate programs.

The AAS degree programs are:

• Medical Radiography,
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The advanced or enhanced certificate programs are:

• Computed Tomography,
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and
• Mammography.

Students selected for any of the Medical Imaging programs are required to submit a physical exam prior to admission. This physical exam must be consistent with the requirements of the teaching hospitals and agencies the student is assigned during clinical assignments and the performance standards required to function as a student imaging technologist. The exam will also include documentation of any communicable diseases along with immunity to Rubella, Measles, Mumps, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Additionally, completion of an updated Tetanus vaccine, an annual TB screening, and a seasonal flu vaccine are required. Clinical affiliates may require additional immunizations, titers, and documentation.

In addition to meeting all other requirements, a criminal background check and drug and alcohol screening are required for all health science students attending imaging courses, and are required prior to admission to the program. Students entering a Medical Imaging program will also be required to show proof of health insurance and current CPR (American Heart Association-Health Care Provider) certification. Students may contact the Medical Imaging department for details regarding the criminal background check and drug screening requirements. 

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a person qualified to provide patient imaging using ultrasound under the supervision of a medical doctor. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program prepares students to work in entry-level positions in hospitals and other health care facilities. Upon completion of the Diagnostic Medical program, the student is granted an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and is eligible to apply to take exams for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Goals

1. Graduates will be clinically competent sonographers.
2. Graduates will be eligible to apply for, take, and pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification exams upon completion of the program.
3. Graduates will be able to find employment.
4. Graduates will be satisfied with their education.
5. Employers will be satisfied with program graduates.

The purpose of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. In accordance with fulfilling its purpose, the program will provide experience to support the following: develop proficiency by not settling for a minimum standard; develop independence by showing initiative to complete tasks without being directed to do so; assume responsibility by accepting constructive comments from personnel, physicians, and instructors; solve problems by doing anything, which is reasonable and within one’s sphere of influence, to resolve dilemmas; organize work by arranging tasks so that they are performed accurately and expeditiously; and integrate previous learning by utilizing concepts learned in the past to improve current clinical performance.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student goals for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program are as follows:

Cognitive: Students will demonstrate skills in critical thinking. 

1. Students will demonstrate appropriate medical and patient care knowledge to function in the health care setting by following patient safety guidelines and universal precautions, obtaining patient histories, communicating with staff and physicians, and utilizing sonographic and hospital equipment.
2. Students will interpret patient laboratory findings to assist the physician in a diagnosis.
3. Students will adjust technical factors to achieve ALARA principles during sonographic examinations. 

Psychomotor: Students will demonstrate the skills of a competent entry-level sonographer.

1. Students will be able to exhibit clinical competence in patient care, equipment manipulation, image evaluation, and technical factor selection.
2. Students will embody the skills necessary to perform patient assessment and care.
3. Students will adjust technical factors to meet the needs of individual sonographic examination.

Affective: The students will communicate effectively. 

1. Students will utilize effective oral and written communication skills as required of in a health care setting.
2. Students will be able to maintain the values of a professional sonographer by following ethical guidelines and exhibiting professional behavior. 

Admission Criteria

Students are admitted annually into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Due to limited clinical internship availability, students are admitted on a competitive basis. In addition to the general admission requirements of San Jacinto College, all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Preference will be given to applicants who meet one of the following when applying to the program:

• Graduate of a two (2) year patient-related allied health care program (radiography, respiratory, paramedic, nursing, occupational therapy, or surgical technology);
• Bachelor’s degree (any major);
• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) graduate;
• Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) +2 years work experience; or
• 3+ years direct patient care work experience.

Computer proficiency is recommended for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Students who do not have computer proficiency are encouraged to take BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications or ITSC 1309 Integrated Software Applications I. 

The applicant must submit a current resume, official transcripts, and a completed application to the Medical Imaging department. Applicants must attend a mandatory information meeting and complete the HESI A2 admission exam. See the  San Jacinto College website or call 281-476-1871 for application requirements and information session dates. Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is determined after review of the application and completion of all requirements.

Upon acceptance in the program, the applicant must submit required health records, proof of health insurance, CPR (American Heart Associate--Health Care Provider), criminal background check, and drug screen as stated for all Medical Imaging students. 

In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.  

Prospective applicants should call the Medical Imaging department at 281-476-1871 for additional information.

Plan of Study

3MED-SONO

 Capstone Experience: DMSO 1367 Practicum IV - Diagnostic Medical Sonography