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.

Degree

Two-year (six semesters) full-time degree schedule; mixture of core technical and science courses along with basic communications classes; program can be completed on a part-time basis.

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.  The School encourages the process of life-long learning.

Certification

For a list of certification options, please see your academic advisor.

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 judgment 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.

Non-Academic Standards:

All applicants are required to complete this survey prior to admission to the program.
The student must have:

1. Sufficient eyesight to observe patients, manipulate equipment, and evaluate radiographic quality.
   1. Far vision to see object beyond 20 feet
   2. Near vision to see object within 20 inches
   3. Depth perception to judge distance
   4. Field vision to see an area up, down, right and left while eyes are fixed at one point
   5. Sharp vision to adjust vision when doing close work that changes in distance from eyes
   6. Skillfully use precision instruments
   7. Observe and evaluate (i.e., patient gait, skin changes)
   8. Observe changes in equipment operation (i.e., smell, overheating, incorrect meter readings)
2. Sufficient hearing to access patient needs and communicate verbally with other health care providers.
   1. Secure information (i.e., questioning of patients)
   2. Describe changes in activity, mood, and posture
   3. Perceive nonverbal communication
   4. Hear instructions
3. Sufficient verbal and written skills to communicate needs promptly and efficiently in English.
   1. Must verbally instruct patients
4. Must have a reading comprehension level of ability comparable to a formal education.
5. Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30 pounds, and possess the ability to support 175 pounds, and ensure patient safety.
   1. Elicit information from patient by diagnostic maneuvers (i.e., palpation)
   2. Safely perform laboratory and imaging procedures
   3. Safely lift, manipulate and use equipment
   4. Reach up to six feet from floor
   5. Input data into a computer
6. Ability to work while standing, sometimes for hours.
   1. Must be free to move around and stand without assistance for long periods of time
7. Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical imaging procedures.
   1. Allow mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and fellow workers
   2. Tolerate physically taxing workloads
   3. Function effectively under stress
   4. Adapt to changing environments (i.e., flexible schedules, emergency conditions)
   5. Display compassion, empathy, integrity, concern for others, interest, and motivation
   6. The work constantly requires visual concentration and/or attention to focus thoughts or efforts for periods of time
   7. Demonstrate patient confidentiality

The work involves risks or discomfort that requires special safety precautions, additional safety education and health risk monitoring (i.e., ionizing radiation and infectious disease). Students are required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gloves, and lead aprons.

Admission Limited Enrollment

To qualify for MTC's School of School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, applicants must have:

1. Fulfilled all MTC general admission requirements, and submitted both the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application and the non-academic standards form.
2. Successfully completed high school or certification of equivalent education by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Acceptance into the Radiography program is contingent upon receipt of official final high school transcript with posted graduation date or passing GED results.
3. 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 quarter hours (or equivalent) of college credit with an accumulative GPA of 2.5.
4. 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 0990).
5. Completed COMPASS academic placement testing or ACT with the following minimum scores:
1. Score of 70 on the Writing Skills Assessment or an ACT score of 18.  If score is below 70,   student must earn a satisfactory (S) grade in Preparation for College Writing (ENG 0990).
2. Score of 42 on Algebra Assessment or an ACT score of 19. Please note ACT/COMPASS shelf-life on the Math portion two (2) years. If score is below 42, student must earn a satisfactory (S) grade in Pre-Algebra (MTH 0990).
3. Score of 80 on the Reading Assessment or an ACT score of 20.  If score is below 80, student must earn a satisfactory (S) grade in Reading Enrichment I (ENG 0960).
6. Reached 18 years of age by the end of the calendar year in which you are seeking admission into Sonography technical courses.
7. Completed a physical examination and all diagnostic screenings (with results on file) prior to entering the first Sonography clinical course.
8. Observed in an ultrasound department a minimum of Fifty hours at three different clinical sites and a submitted an ‘‘Observation Validation’’ form. (Form is available on web site under School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
9. If applicable, current MTC students seeking Diagnostic Medical Sonography admission must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
10. Transfer students to MTC must qualify in accordance with current Diagnostic Medical Sonography program admission criteria.

Students will be admitted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program based upon an admission point system, whereby the most qualified applicants are considered based upon highest point totals.

• The number of approved clinical education facilities and student-teacher ratios limits the number of students admitted to the program. 
• For further details, see MTC website at http://www.mtc.edu/health/dms/index.html.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide all additional documentation to the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography prior to the application deadline (i.e., additional transcripts with updated GPAs and coursework, additional observation hours, etc.).
• Only completed applications submitted by the application deadline will be considered.
• Applicants will be notified of their status in the program by mail approximately 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.

Applicants who are not selected into the program, but would like to be considered for a future class, will need to complete another program application.

Advisory Committee Members :

To receive more detailed information on the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program or a complete copy of the MTC Catalog, please send an e-mail to myersd@mtc.edu or the Office of Admission at enroll@mtc.edu.