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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Summer 2024

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

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.
Completion of all math and science prerequisites within the last five years to ensure current competency in content.
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
A national background check is conducted 1st and 4th quarters of the program
Immunizations, current healthcare provider CPR, and 7-hour bloodborne pathogen training are required prior to the 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. A 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

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.

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