State Board Approval Date:

04/05/07

Implementation Date:

Spring 2008

Last Updated:

09/05/07

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma

Program Standard and Course Guide 

Table of Contents

General Program Standards

SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS

Admission Requirements

SNN4-02-01

Provisional Program Admissions

SNN4-02-04

Program Numbering

SNN4-03-02

Program Course Consistency and Sequence

SNN4-03-03

Program Course List

Accreditation (Guide)

Appendix A

Suggested Course Sequence (Guide)

Appendix B

Suggested Equipment List (Guide)

Appendix C

Admissions

Standard Number: SNN4-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into a Diploma program.

 

Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable. The institution develops and implements clearly stated Diploma program admissions policies and procedures.

 

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

The requirements for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program are:

 

a.       attainment of 18 years of age;

b.       documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements;

c.       achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading language, math, and algebra as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Admission Test Scores.

d.       proper completion of application and related procedures.

 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma programs not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in addition to the above five items:

 

a.       be a graduate of a one-year programmatically accredited medical program; or

b.       have completed a Baccalaureate degree.

Admission of transfer students to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program is contingent upon their meeting the following requirements:

 

a.       regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited or GDTAE diploma or degree granting institution; and

b.       proper completion of application and related procedures.

Standard Number: SNN4-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet the regular admission requirements of the program.

 

Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course sequence standard.

 

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated policies and procedures for entry into programs on a provisional basis.

Evaluative Criteria

Provisional admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

 

The requirements for provisional admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program are:

 

a.       be 17 years of age upon entry to the program but attained the age of 18 before enrolling in a Clinical Sonography course.

b.       achievement of minimum admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Entrance Scores;

c.       recommendation by program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview and assessment of student potential;

All Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program students initially admitted on a provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.

 

Provisionally admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Program Structure

Standard Number: SNN4-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Program Major Code of SNN4 and a Program CIP Code of 510910 are applied to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Program Major Code SNN4 and Program CIP Code 510910 to the Program Title, Diploma program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is developed.

 

Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Program Major Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Evaluative Criteria

Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Program Major Code and Program CIP Code.

 

Each degree/diploma/certificate program having a given Program Major Code is consistent with all other programs throughout the state that have the same Program Major Code.

 

Degree/diploma/certificate programs having multiple specializations are assigned a Specialization Major Code and Specialization CIP Code for each option.

 

 

Standard Number: SNN4-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program utilizes essential course components consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.

Explanatory Comment

Programs are assigned an identical Major Code SNN4 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program is assigned a Major Code of SNN4, and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma

Program Description

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma program is a sequence of courses that provides educational opportunities to individuals in didactic and clinical environments that will enable them to gain skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to graduate and become successful entry-level employees in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.  The profession requires critical thinking skills, judgment, and the ability to provide appropriate health care services.  Sonographers use high frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual pictures of internal body structures.  The images are evaluated by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.  Course work includes sonographic physics, sonographic identification of normal and abnormal anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology of the abdomen, pelvis, and small parts of the adult, pediatric, and fetal patient, clinical application courses, interventional sonography, journal and case study review, and comprehensive registry reviews. 

Program graduates are expected to be able to perform entry level abdominal, OB/GYN, pediatric, small parts, and neonatal ultrasound procedures with the use of two- dimensional B-Mode imaging, color flow Doppler, and spectral Doppler.  Program graduates are to be competent in the general areas of humanities or fine arts, social or behavioral sciences, natural sciences or mathematics, and computer literacy.  Program graduates receive a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma, are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) registry examinations in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (UPI), Abdomen (AB), Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) and are employable as entry-level Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

 

Course
Code

General Core Course Title

Class
Hours

D.
Lab
Hours

P.
Lab/OBI
Hours

Weekly
Contact
Hours

Credit
Hours

ENG 101

English

[P] Provisional admission

5

0

0

5

5

MAT 103

Algebraic Concepts

[P] MAT 098, or entrance arithmetic and algebra scores in accordance with approved DTAE admission score levels

5

0

0

5

5

EMP 100

Interpersonal Relations & Professional Development

[P]Provisional Admission

3

0

0

3

3

Minimum Required Hours:

13

0

0

13

13

 

Course
Code

Occupational Course Title

Class
Hours

D.
Lab
Hours

P.
Lab/OBI
Hours

Weekly
Contact
Hours

Credit
Hours

SCT 100

Introduction to Microcomputers

[P]Provisional admission

1

4

0

5

3

AHS 101

Anatomy and Physiology

[P] Program admission

5

0

0

5

5

DMS 131

Foundations of Sonography

[P] Program admission

3

2

3

8

5

AHS 109

Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences

[P] Provisional admission

3

0

0

3

3

AHS 104

Introduction to Health Care

[P] Provisional admission

2

0

3

5

3

AHS 156

Health Science Physics

[P] MAT 191, 190, 194, 196, or 103

5

0

0

5

5

 

(or)

 

 

 

 

 

RAD 123

Radiologic Science

(5)

(0)

(0)

(5)

(5)

DMS 132

Sonographic Appearance of Normal Anatomy

[P] Program admission

3

0

3

6

4

DMS 133

Cross Sectional Anatomy

[P] Program admission

3

0

3

6

4

DMS 134

Pelvic Sonography & Pathology

[P] DMS 131, DMS 132

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 135

Abdominal Sonography & Pathology

[P] DMS 131, DMS 132

4

0

3

7

5

DMS 136

Sonographic Physics I

[P] Program admission

3

0

0

3

3

DMS 137

Clinical Sonography I

[P] DMS 131, DMS 132, DMS 136

0

0

24

24

8

DMS 201

Normal Obstetric Sonography

[P]-DMS 134

[C] DMS 201

2

0

3

5

3

DMS 202

Sonographic Physics II

[P] DMS 136

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 203

High Resolution Imaging

[P] DMS 131, DMS 132, DMS 133, DME 136

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 204

Clinical Sonography II

[P] DMS 131, DMS132, DMS136

[C] DMS 202

0

0

24

24

8

DMS 205

Interventional Sonography

[P] DMS 133, DMS 134, DMS 135, DMS 201

0

2

0

2

1

DMS 206

Pediatric Sonography

[P] DMS 132, DMS 133, DMS 134, DMS 135

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 207

Abnormal Obstetric Sonography

[P] DMS 201

3

0

0

3

3

DMS 208

Introduction to Vascular Sonography

[P] DMS 133, DMS 202, DMS 203

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 209

Clinical Sonography III

[P] DMS 204

0

0

24

24

8

DMS 210

Comprehensive Physics Registry Review

[P] DMS 136, DMS 202

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 211

Clinical Sonography IV

[P] DMS 209

0

0

33

33

11

DMS 212

Comprehensive Abdomen Registry Review

[P] DMS 135, DMS 202

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 213

Comprehensive OB/GYN Registry Review

[P] DMS 134, DMS 201, DMS 202, DMS 207

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 214

Clinical Sonography V

[P] DMS 211

0

0

33

33

11

Minimum Required Hours:

50

8

165

223

109

Program Final Exit Point

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma

 

122 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

Appendix A

Accreditation and Certification

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program must conform to the institutional accreditation requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (COC).

It is recommended that Diagnostic medical Sonography programs obtain programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accredeitation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee - Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Appendix B

General Information

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program is set up on the quarter system. A suggested sequence for the program is given below with area of specialization. Technical institutes may implement the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma program by using the sequences listed below or by using a locally developed sequence designed to reflect course prerequisites and/or corequisites.

Suggested Sequence I

First Quarter


Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

ENG 101

English

5

0

0

5

5

MAT 103

Algebraic Concepts

5

0

0

5

5

EMP 100

Interpersonal Relations & Professional Development

3

0

0

3

3

AHS 109

Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences

3

0

0

3

3

 

Total

16

0

0

16

16

Second Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

AHS 156

Health Science Physics

5

0

0

5

5

 

or

 

 

 

 

 

RAD 123

Radiologic Science

(5)

(0)

(0)

(5)

(5)

SCT 100

Introduction to Microcomputers

1

4

0

5

3

AHS 101

Anatomy and Physiology

5

0

0

5

5

AHS 104

Introduction to Health Care

2

0

3

5

3

 

Total

13

4

3

20

16

Third Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 131

Foundations of Sonography

3

2

3

8

5

DMS 132

Sonographic Appearance of Normal Anatomy

3

0

3

6

4

DMS 133

Cross Sectional Anatomy

3

0

 3

 6

4

 

Total

9

2

9

20

13

Fourth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 134

Pelvic Sonography & Pathology

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 135

Abdominal Sonography & Pathology

4

0

3

7

5

DMS 136

Sonographic Physics I

3

0

0

3

3

DMS 137

Clinical Sonography I

0

0

24

24

8

 

Total

8

0

30

38

18

Fifth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 201

Normal Obstetric Sonography

2

0

3

5

3

DMS 202

Sonographic Physics II

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 203

High Resolution Imaging

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 204

Clinical Sonography II

0

0

24

24

8

 

Total

5

0

30

35

15

Sixth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 205

Interventional Sonography

0

2

0

2

1

DMS 206

Pediatric Sonography

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 207

Abnormal Obstetric Sonography

3

0

0

3

3

DMS 209

Clinical Sonography III

0

0

24

24

8

 

Total

5

2

24

31

14

Seventh Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 208

Introduction to Vascular Sonography

1

0

3

4

2

DMS 210

Comprehensive Physics Registry Review

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 211

Clinical Sonography IV

0

0

33

33

11

 

Total

3

0

36

39

15

Eighth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 212

Comprehensive Abdomen Registry Review

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 213

Comprehensive OB/GYN Registry Review

2

0

0

2

2

DMS 214

Clinical Sonography V

0

0

33

33

11

 

Total

4

0

33

37

15

 

 

Appendix C

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diploma

 

Suggested Equipment List

 

1.    One ultrasound machine per 3 students

A.   Transducers

1.       Abdominal deep penetration

2.       Abdominal high resolution

3.       Superficial/high resolution

4.       Endovaginal (optional)

2.         Image recording system-minimum of one per ultrasound machine

A.      VCR and/or

B.      Thermal imager and/or

C.      Film cassette (dark room or film processing required) and/or

D.      CD and/or

E.      Electronic picture archival computer system (PACS) and/or

F.      Color printer and/or

G.     Radiographic laser printer (may require dark room)

3.         Gel

A.  Sterile and Non-sterile

4.         Gel warmer

5.         Stand-off pads

6.         Transducer cleaner

7.         Cidex (antiseptic for endovaginal)

8.         Transducer covers

9.         Appropriate endocavitary transducer covers

10.     Gloves

A.      Latex, non-latex

B.      Powder, non-powder

C.      Sterile, non-sterile

11.     Linens and gowns

12.     Stretchers/tables (one per ultrasound machine)

13.     Sterile trays for use with interventional sonography or component supplies

14.   Simulated models for puncture

15.   Appropriate physics QC phantoms

15.  Assorted biopsy needles

16. View boxes

17.   Sharps boxes

18.   Lockable storage cabinets

19.   Anatomic models

  1. Torso including organs
  2. Cross-sectional models
  3. Other models
  4. Charts and graphs

20.   Ultrasound medical simulator

21.   Ergonomic devices

22.   Variable incandescent lighting

23.    Privacy curtains

24.   Image projection system (VCR/TV, CD, laser disc, Internet, teleradiology,

ELMO or equivalent, DVD)

25.   One computer per faculty member with Internet capability

26.   Faculty and classroom laser printers

27.   Miscellaneous office supplies

28.   Book shelves

29.   Sonographic resource library

30.   Lockable file cabinet for student records

 


Posted: 09/05/07