Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Program Policies

Program Philosophy. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains. Program faculty are strongly committed to providing all students with an exciting, stimulating, and comprehensive learning experience. The program prepares graduates to provide safe, effective, ethical, and legal care to persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds. The program develops the ability of the student to think independently, to understand fundamental theory, and to develop the skills necessary to become Diagnostic Medical Sonography practitioners who are enlightened decision makers.

Program Purpose. This program prepares students to meet the requirements for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions. Instruction includes on campus classroom and laboratory courses, and off campus clinical education where students will work with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop and apply the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations in the work place.

Attendance. A detailed record of student attendance is maintained by the faculty and becomes a part of their permanent record. Every absence from class, no matter what the reason, is recorded and counted as such by the faculty, beginning with the first day of class. It is sometimes necessary for the College to give employment recommendations for a student. The employer often takes attendance into consideration.

Students MUST attend class regularly. NO CALL/NO SHOW TO SCHEDULED CLASSES IS NOT PERMITTED. If, for any reason, an absence is necessary, day clinical students must call the College and the instructor no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Students with course absences greater than 15 percent may have their records reviewed for purposes of possible probation, termination, or suspension. A student may be dropped from a course if the student is absent more than 20 percent of the scheduled course hours.

Written assignments must be submitted on time. Tests and assignments must be made up on the student’s first classroom day back to school after absence unless the student makes alternate arrangements with the instructor. Students will be allowed two tests/exams make-ups per course. The student receives the grade earned for the first make-up test/exam. The grade received for the second makeup test/exam in the same course will be no higher than an 80%. No other make-up test/exam is permitted. A zero will be recorded for additional missed tests/exams in the same course. There are no make-up quizzes. Any late homework is the grade earned minus 10 points. All unit tests must be recorded prior to the final examination. Any student who does not take the make-up test/exam on the first day back will receive a zero for the test exam.

Student Evaluation. The faculty shall use the objectives of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program as criteria for student evaluation. The student’s grades are determined by a combination of written examinations, laboratory scanning practical exams, and clinical competency checklists.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography technical skills and ability, attitude, and relationship with others are areas of clinical and laboratory evaluation. The achievement of the student in both theory and clinical performance is evaluated by the faculty at regular intervals and shared with the student.

Program Hours. Students are required to attend classes during day hours only, Monday through Friday for six semesters. Each semester is divided into 3 five week terms. Each term varies in the number of required courses, depending on the number of credits and contact hours per course, with two or three courses per term.

During the first three semesters all classes are on campus Monday through Thursday. During the fourth semester students will be assigned to an Ultrasound department of a clinical affiliate hospital or imaging center Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. During the final term of the program, clinical rotations will be two to three days per week with on campus classes on the alternate days.

Clinical Phase Absenteeism and Tardiness. Absenteeism on clinical days will not be tolerated. Students are expected to arrive at clinical rotation sites prepared to administer patient care. If a student is unable to perform required duties due to health or other reasons, the student should not attend. If for any reason the student cannot attend on a scheduled clinical day, the student must talk to the assigned site point of contact (POC) no later than one hour before the scheduled start time. Emergency messages will be conveyed from the College to the clinical site location. At no time should family or friends call the health care facility where the student is assigned. If more than two clinical days are missed, the student must report to the Program Director and/or Clinical Coordinator.

Clinical Protocol. Clinical experiences are scheduled in various healthcare agencies and/or hospitals.

• Students may not visit any clinical facility while wearing the student uniform (including the name I.D.) without prior approval from the Diagnostic Sonography Faculty
• Students may not review any patient’s chart or records except those assigned to them
• Students are not permitted to accept gifts from patients or patients’ families or friends
• Students are not permitted to fraternize with any patient/agency employee while enrolled in school

Admissions Requirements.  The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program has a selective review process that consists of the following:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must have a standard high school diploma or a GED
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must successfully complete the entrance assessment
• A personal information session with the Program Director or designee is required

Prerequisite Courses. Must be greater than or equal to 100 level college courses only.

• College Algebra (3 credit hours)

Entrance Assessments:

(70% weighted value)

Reading: (20% of exam values)

English: (20% of exam values)

Math: (30% of exam values)

Science: (30% of exam values)

Academic Courses:

(College or High School)

(15% weighted value)

The following courses are assigned 1 point each, per subject, one time:

Anatomy and Physiology

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Medical Terminology