SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
FOR 2017 APPLICANTS
A. OCCUPATIONAL DESCRIPTION:
The sonographer plays an important role on the medical team as technical assistant to the sonologist (or radiologist), a physician who has specialized in the use of sound waves for diagnosis and treatment. Sonographers may work under direct or indirect supervision of these physicians. A certified sonographer is part of a team that is qualified to work in hospitals, doctors' offices, public health projects, industrial medical clinics, veterans' and military hospitals.
Sonography or ultrasonography is the use of sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions. Sonography commonly is associated with obstetrics and the use of ultrasound imaging during pregnancy, but this technology has many other applications in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions throughout the body. Sonographers must operate with a high degree of technical ability and in‐depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as the basic aspects of clinical medicine. Essential qualities of a sonographer would include the ability to make accurate, independent judgments and the ability to plan and organize time and resources.
Sonographers need excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They must be able to discuss technical details and examination results with physicians, co‐workers and other medical personnel in English. A sonographer must be able to carefully explain procedures to their patients, some of whom may be nervous about the exam or the problems it may reveal. Superior hand‐eye coordination is particularly important to obtaining quality images. It is also important that sonographers truly enjoy learning because continuing education is a requirement for sonographers to stay abreast of the ever‐changing field of diagnostic medicine. A strong background in mathematics and science is essential for sonographers as well.
Diagnostic medical sonographers use specialized equipment to direct non‐ionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body, which then reflect off internal body structures. A computer receives these reflected waves and uses them to create a picture that may be videotaped, digitally transmitted or imaged for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. To perform the exam, sonographers use a hand‐held probe called a transducer, which acts as both a transmitter and a receiver of sound waves. A clear, water‐ based conducting gel is applied to the skin over the area being examined to help with the transmission of the sound waves.
Sonographers must be extremely detail‐oriented. Viewing the screen during the scan, sonographers look for subtle visual cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones. They decide whether the images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and select which ones to store and show to the physician. Sonographers take measurements, calculate values, and analyze the results in preliminary findings for the physicians. In addition, you would be responsible for the mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in your care. Diagnostic medical sonographers must also keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate equipment purchases or manage a sonography or diagnostic imaging department.
As a skilled sonographer, you may specialize in obstetric and gynecologic sonography (the female reproductive system), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas), neurosonography (the brain), breast sonography, vascular sonography or cardiac sonography (either adult or fetal). In addition, opportunities for advancement exist in research, hospital administration, education, communication, commercial or corporate markets (sales) or law.
B. OPPORTUNITIES:
Employment opportunities are excellent for registered sonographers both locally and nationwide. Some sonographers work as contract employees and may travel to several health care facilities in an area. Similarly, some sonographers work with mobile imaging service providers and travel to patients and use mobile
diagnostic imaging equipment to provide service in areas that otherwise do not have the access to such services.
Most full‐time sonographers work about 40 hours a week. Hospital‐based sonographers may have evening and weekend hours and times when they are on call and must be ready to report to work on short notice.
Employment is expected to grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic
laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers. Healthcare facility services such as these are expected to expand sharply due to the strong shift towards outpatient care.
C. SALARY AND EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:
The projected outlook for employment for the 10‐year timeframe between 2010 and 2020 is excellent. The average growth rate for all occupations is presently at 14 percent. Employment of diagnostic medical
sonographers is expected to increase to approximately 44 percent through 2020—faster than the average for all occupations—as the population ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. The newly registered sonographer with no experience should have little difficulty finding immediate employment, locally or nationwide. Annual wages nationally for technologists with experience ranged from approximately $64,844 to $89,892. Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation in 2010 was approximately $64,380.00. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
(http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic‐medical‐sonographers.htm) has listed the employment outlook through the year 2020.
D. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
To be considered for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program at Northern Virginia Community College, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Apply for admission to Northern Virginia Community College. Acceptance by the college does not ensure admission to a specific curriculum or course. Once accepted by the college, you must complete the remaining requirements prior to the annual application deadline.
2. Be 18 years old or older and a high school graduate.
3. View the online information session and make a note of the code to be included on the Allied Health Application. http://www.nvcc.edu/medical/divisions/allied/sonography.html.
4. Complete the program pre‐requisites. All courses must be completed prior to submitting a program application during the annual application period. Students with prior credits from outside the college may submit official transcripts for evaluation. Please refer to the External Transcript Evaluation Process at the online information session for instructions.
PROGRAM PRE‐REQUISITES
Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA from last school attended
Completion of BIO 141/142 or NAS 161/162 with a grade of “B” or higher PHY 195 or PHY 101 or higher with a grade of “B” or higher
Completion of DMS 100 with a grade of “B” or higher Completion of ENG 111 with a grade of “B” or higher
Completion of MTH 151 or higher with a grade of “B” or higher Completion of SDV 101 or SDV 100 with a grade of “B” or higher
Completion of PSY 200 (or PSY 201/202), HLT 141, PED 116 and a Humanities/Fine Arts Elective with a grade of “C” or higher
TEAS Pre‐Admission Exam for English, Reading & Math (no minimum score required)
5. Upon completion of the above requirements, students will need to submit an Allied Health Application
which can be downloaded from the information session. The application (pages 5 and 6) and a copy of your TEAS scores should be placed in an envelope and sent via certified mail to the following address during the DMS application period:
Students Services Center Northern Virginia Community College Medical Education Campus, Room 202
6699 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 22150
Incomplete applications including applications from students still enrolled in a pre‐requisite course will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will NOT be returned to you. Applications should only be submitted during the annual application period of January 15 through January 31.
Admission to the program is competitive. The following areas are evaluated:
Scores from the TEAS exam
Grades in all the required pre‐requisites and general education courses
Cumulative GPA is reviewed as a tie‐break if two or more students have the same score
E. CLINICAL AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following is required prior to entrance into clinical rotations:
1. Evidence of good mental and physical health as substantiated on the NOVA Health History and Physical
Form signed by a physician. The DMS program Technical Standards form must also accompany the
Health form and be signed and dated by the physician.
3. Current CPR certification is required and must be maintained for the duration of the program.
4. Criminal background check and drug screen as verified by CastleBranch, the only approved agency used for these services by NOVA.
5. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is the national certifying
organization for all sonographers. The ARDMS is an independent, nonprofit organization that administers examinations and awards credentials in the areas of diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, vascular interpretation and vascular technology. The ARDMS has certified more than 60,000
individuals and is the globally recognized standard of excellence in sonography. The following are criminal background standards for submission of an application for the examination:
ARDMS rules indicate that ARDMS may take action against an applicant, candidate or registrant in the
case of conviction, plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere to any crime. If you are presently charged with, or been convicted or found guilty of or plead nolo contendere to any crime (felony and/or
misdemeanor), other than a speeding or parking violation, you may have questions concerning this rule and may wish to obtain clarification as to how it pertains to your circumstances.
The ARDMS will conduct a “pre‐application review,” for a $125 non‐refundable fee, for individuals who wish to determine the impact of a previous criminal matter on their eligibility to apply for ARDMS certification. The pre‐application review procedure is available only to those who are more than six (6) months away from graduation/program completion. Individuals who have already completed a program and are ready to apply to the ARDMS for examination should simply respond to the questions on the ARDMS examination application relating to criminal matters and provide the requested documentation regarding such matter(s).
For more information please reference website: www.ardms.org and go to the section under “Application Process and Resources” then “Pre‐Application: Criminal” or phone ARDMS (301) 738‐8401 or 800) 541‐9754. It is the students’ responsibility to contact the ARDMS. NOVA cannot intervene in these matters for any reason. Students are advised to contact the ARDMS directly for guidance on an individual basis.
F. SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM TECHNICAL STANDARDS
To successfully complete the clinical component of the program, the student must be able to perform all of the technical standards of a sonographer.
Must successfully complete and maintain CPR certification
Lift, transfer and/or assist patients from wheelchair/stretcher to examination table
Lift, move, reach, push or pull heavy equipment on wheels (up to approximately 500 lbs)
Manual dexterity and coordination to manipulate equipment to respond to patient safety
Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders
Ability to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning
Work standing on their feet 80% of the time
Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions and shades of gray
Auditory ability to hear and respond to soft voices, equipment timers and alarms, as well as BP cuffs
and breath sounds
Use auditory, tactile and visual senses to assess the physiological status of the patient
Demonstrate the ability to integrate diagnostic sonograms, laboratory results, patient history and
medical records and adapt sonographic examinations as necessary
Demonstrate the ability to organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic pro‐
cedure in the proper sequence
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and follow instructions; perform sometimes complex and
repetitive tasks; maintain a work pace appropriate to a given work load within the ultrasound department
Demonstrate the ability to effectively employ interpersonal relation skills, including patient instruction
in English
Demonstrate the ability to interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
Demonstrate the ability to read and extract information from the medical chart or patient requisitions in
English
Demonstrate the ability to explain in English the clinical study verbally and/or in writing
Ability to withstand a physically and emotionally taxing workload
Despite the foregoing, no otherwise qualified person with a disability who can perform these technical standards with reasonable accommodation will be denied admission to the DMS program.
NON‐DISCRIMINATORY TECHNICAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL NOVA MEDICAL PROGRAMS
The Attorney General’s office has provided the following guidance for allied health and nursing essential program functions to avoid any future incidents concerning student participation in classrooms and clinical situations:
Essential Function: students must be able to demonstrate a willingness and ability to provide equal non‐ discriminatory treatment of all patients regardless of gender, color, race, national origin, sexual orientation, disability and/or religion. In the classroom, students must also provide equal non‐discriminatory practice of patient assessment skills upon the request of the instructor.
It is the policy of both Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to maintain and promote equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, sex or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, disability, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non‐merit factors.
Northern Virginia Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. NOVA complies with all federal and Virginia state laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. Consistent with the College's duty to provide a work and academic environment free from
unlawful harassment or discrimination, the College reserves the right to investigate any allegation of harassment or discrimination upon receipt of sufficient evidence to sustain such claims.
Inquiries concerning affirmative action and equal opportunity policies should be addressed to the College's Director of Affirmative Action/Minority and Legal Affairs, whose office is located in the Brault Building, Room 210 on the Annandale Campus (703) 323‐3266.
G. CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT:
All clinical rotations are held at area hospital affiliates and/or private medical offices. Each of these facilities offers a different perspective on the degree of difficulty, volume and pace in a sonography department.
Students will be assigned to 2 ‐ 3 major clinical affiliates in the greater metropolitan area during the four semesters in the diagnostic medical sonography program. Students must be prepared to travel in order to get
to the assigned medical facility. Clinical assignments are determined by the program faculty and cannot be changed without the permission of the program director for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
The student should realize that student sonographers are by nature of the profession, exposed regularly to: infectious disease, terminally ill and combative or difficult patients. Students will be required to be up to date on and show proof of all immunizations, including a flu shot, before the appointment of the clinical rotation
assignment. Students are required to work with all patients coming into the department regardless of disease or condition, as assigned by the clinical instructors or department managers.
H. RESPONSIBILITIES OF NOVA SONOGRAPHY STUDENTS:
1. Students accepted into the DMS program are adult learners who will become medical professionals in the field of sonography. Students are expected to maintain a professional and team‐spirited attitude at all times while in the program.
2. For the duration of the program, all students must be capable of accepting guidance through constructive criticism and making those adjustments. Students must also assume responsibility for planning, facilitating and managing their own learning.
3. To prepare for the high ethical standards of the allied health professions, the College expects absolute
academic honesty both in the classroom and in clinical practice.
4. A strict program dress and behavior code is required in the clinical setting.
5. Students in the DMS program will incur a variety of additional expenses. These include Trajecsys report tracking system fees, healthcare insurance, medical liability insurance, textbooks, the cost of uniforms, ARDMS SPI and subspecialty registry fees, accessories, society membership fees, travel to and from clinical assignments and parking expenses.
6. Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical assignments. Students may be required to attend both day and/or evening assignments. Students will be required to rotate through multiple clinical sites to obtain clinical competencies.
I. PROGRAM CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. All courses taken while in the program major must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" or better before taking the next course in the sequence. Students who are unable to maintain minimum grade requirements will be NOT be able to continue on in the program and/or graduate.
2. All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence as prescribed in the catalog.
3. Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through appropriate channels,
withdrawal of any student who neither exhibits safe performance nor adheres to prescribed clinical affiliate policies and procedures. Students removed from their clinical sites will be subject to
appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the NOVA student handbook.
4. Physical and mental health must be maintained for continuance in the program. Applicants must be free of any physical and or mental conditions which might adversely affect their acceptance or
performances in the program. The college reserves the right to require medical examinations to verify continuing competence.
5. Students who become pregnant while attending the Sonography program should notify the program head. It is the policy of the program to be supportive to pregnant students. However, the student must complete all program requirements in order to graduate and receive an AAS degree in sonography.
J. SONOGRAPHY CURRICULUM:
DMS Core Courses Credits
1st Semester 2nd Semester First Year Fall Spring DMS 190 Coordinated Internship 3 DMS 206 Introduction to Sonography 2 DMS 207 Cross‐Sectional Anatomy 2
DMS 217 Cross‐Sectional Anatomy Lab 1
DMS 208 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I 2
DMS 218 Ultrasound physics & Instrumentation Lab I 1
DMS 196 On‐site Training in General Sonography 4
DMS 211 Abdominal Sonography I 4
DMS 212 Obstetrics & Gynecology Sonography I 4
DMS 209 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II 2
DMS 219 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Lab II 1
Total Credits/Semester 11 15
DMS Core Courses Credits
3rd Semester 4th Semester
Second Year
Summer Fall
DMS 232 Clinical Education II 4
DMS 243 Breast Registry Review 1
DMS 290 Coordinated Internship 4
DMS 241 Abdominal Sonography II 3
DMS 242 Obstetrics & Gynecology Sonography II 3
DMS 299 Independent Study (Registry Review) 1
Total Credits/Semester 5 11
K. HOSPITAL AFFILIATES:
Northern Virginia Community College has made affiliation agreements with many clinical education centers where student sonographers may receive instruction and practical experience. This list includes but is not limited to:
Inova Alexandria Hospital Prince William Hospital
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Inova Fairfax Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital
Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Suburban Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Fauquier Hospital Walter Reed National Military HCA Reston Hospital Center Medical Center
*Other hospitals may be added throughout the school year.
L. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For information concerning professional certification contact:
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, www.ardms.org 51 Monroe Street, Plaza East One
Rockville, Maryland 20850‐2400
Society Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technologists, www.sdms.org 2745 Dallas Pkwy Ste. 350
Plano, Texas 75093‐8730
For information concerning Accredited Educational Programs for Sonographers contact:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 http://www.caahep.org/Default.aspx Phone: 727‐210‐2350 Fax: 727‐210‐2354
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC‐DMS)
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500 Ellicott City, MD 21043
Email address: [email protected] Phone number: 443‐973‐3251
