Overview
About the Program
Two-year (six semesters) full-time degree schedule; mixture of core technical and science courses along with basic communications classes.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. 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.
Sonography Mission Statement
To provide an environment for student sonographers to become qualified and competent technologists in a healthcare setting. We partner with the healthcare community to provide higher education for sonographers. Marion Technical College encourages the process of life-long learning.
Program Goals
- To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective learning domains.
- To provide the community with competent diagnostic medical sonographers.
- To facilitate development of effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- To facilitate the development of professional attuites, behaviors, and ethnics within the framework of the diagnostic medical sonography profession.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill in abdominal sonography.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill in OB/GYN sonography.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skill in small parts/superficial structures/high resolution sonography
- Modify standard procedures to accommodate for patient conditions and other variables to obtain quality images.
- Evaluate cross sectional anatomy pathology.
- Recognize emergency patient conditions and initiate first aid and basic life support procedures.
- Evaluate images for appropriate image quality and pathology.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to quality assurance.
- State the safe limits of equipment operation and report malfunctions to the proper authority.
- Exercise independent judgement and discretion when performing imaging procedures.
- Demonstrate an understanding of your role in the healthcare environment.
- Practice effective communication with patients and other health professionals.
- Provide basic patient care, comfort, anticipate patient needs, and patient education.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ultrasound production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of human structure, function, and pathology.
- Support the profession’s code of ethics and comply with the profession’s standard of practice.
Accreditation/Certification
The DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) and the JRCDMS. Program graduates may take certification exams from the ARDMS or ARRT.
Application Requirements – Limited Enrollment
- Fulfilled all MTC General and Program admission requirements and schedule an appointment to submit both the Sonography Program Application and the non-academic standards form.
- Successfully completed high school or certification of equivalent education by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Acceptance into the Sonography program is contingent upon receipt of official final high school transcript with posted graduation date or passing GED results.
- Earned an accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4.0 scale) in high school or GED examination equivalent or completed a minimum of 12 semester hours (or equivalent) of college credit with an accumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Taken high school algebra, biology, and chemistry, or successful completion equivalent college coursework (MTC’s Principles of Biology and Chemistry - SCI 1050 and/or Pre-Algebra - MTH 0910).
- Successful completion of the ACT or Basic Skills Assessment (ACCUPLACER) in reading, writing, mathematics (algebra) and technology skills.
- Reached 18 years of age by the end of the calendar year in which you are seeking admission into Sonography technical courses.
- Observed in an ultrasound department a minimum of 32 hours at three different clinical sites and a submitted ‘‘Observation Validation’’ form. (Form is available on web site under Sonography Program)
- Transfer students to MTC must qualify in accordance with current Sonography program admission criteria.
- Strongly suggest completion of all (7) Core classes listed on admission score sheet.
A listing of all requirements, policies, and procedures for the program is available in the Sonography Student Handbook located at https://www.mtc.edu/course/diagnostic-medical-sonography/
Career Opportunities
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Curriculum
The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
Second Semester
| SCI1250 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| DMS1040 | Sonography Cross Sectional Anatomy | 1 |
| DMS1020 | Sonography Procedures I | 4 |
| DMS1101 | Sonography Clinical I | 1 |
| DMS1051 | Sonography Principles & Instrumentation | 3 |
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Total Credit Hours: 65