Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Introduction to Sonography

This course is designed to introduce students to sonography. The students will learn the history of medical ultrasound, professional and occupational development, and current uses of ultrasound. Also, this class will introduce body mechanics, scanning techniques, and protocols.

Patient Care in Sonography

The physical and psychological concepts of patient care are presented. Routine patient care procedures, professional scopes of practice, and record keeping paperwork pertinent to clinical setting are reviewed.

Sonography Bioeffects

Lectures and related exercises covering thermal, mechanical, and cavitational bioeffect principles.

Sonography Clinical II

Practicum in all clinical applications within the specialties of abdomen, small parts, and OB/GYN. Each student will spend approximately twenty-four (24) hours per week in an ultrasound department observing and scanning.

Sonography Clinical III

A continuation of practical clinical experience in all aspects of abdominal and OB-GYN, small parts, and general vascular Sonography. Twenty-four hours per week in a hospital ultrasound department is required.

Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 1

This course will introduce the theoretical and practical aspects of ultrasonic physics and instrumentation. It focuses on the characteristics and properties of ultrasound energy, generation, transmission, and reception as related to ultrasound imaging. Physical principles will be investigated. Students should be able to understand the production of quality ultrasound images and apply this information to real-time scanning.

Medical Ethics in Sonography

Students will be introduced to ethics in the heathcare setting. Ethical dilemmas will be introduced and discussed with emphasis on the relationship of current ethical standards in healthcare delivery.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Students will learn theory and technique of performing transabdominal ultrasounds of the abdominal cavity.

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II

This course will cover ultrasound propagation principles, transducer parameters, interactive properties of ultrasound with human tissue and its possible biological effect, types of equipment and quality control.

Sonography Clinical I

Observation of all clinical duties performed in the Ultrasound department. Basic instruction and scanning experience in abdominal sonography. Twenty-four (24) hours a week in an ultrasound department is required.

Advanced Sonography

This course is intended to help students recognize normal and pathologic states of pediatric and vascular anatomy during ultrasonic examination. It will incorporate information from laboratory findings, patient history, and other imaging modalities as needed. Invasive procedures will also be addressed.

Medical Sonographer Review Course

This course will concentrate on helping to prepare the student to sit for the national certification exam in ultrasound provided by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. It is a comprehensive course intended to review and emphasize the major areas of importance for national testing.

Vascular Sonography

This is an introduction to non-invasive vascular ultrasound. It will focus on basic skills and knowledge of image orientation, patient set up, sonographic performance of vascular exams. Special emphasis will be placed on carotid exams, as well as venous and arterial exams of the extremities. Normal and disease processes of the vascular system will be discussed.

Small Parts Sonography

Normal anatomy, various pathologies, and disease processes of the thyroid, breast, scrotum, and prostate will be discussed. Lectures will include sonographic appearance, pathophysiology, the importance of patient history, previous exams, and laboratory values.

OB/GYN Sonography

This course will prepare students for performing transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds of the pregnant and nonpregnant female pelvis. It will include the appearance and characteristics of normal anatomy, pathology, pathophysiology, exam protocols, related lab values, and imaging processes.