Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Educational Plan Virtual Workshop
Please join us for an educational workshop hosted by the Counseling Center.
This workshop held by Zoom will provide information about the DMS program, including
program prerequisites and planning.
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A Medical Sonographer is a highly skilled healthcare professional specializing in
the use of ultrasound technology to create images of internal body structures.
Sonographers are more than technical operators; they also assume the critical role
of diagnosticians. To effectively fulfill this diagnostic responsibility, sonographers
must possess an in-depth comprehension of anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
This knowledge combined with extensive hands-on clinical experience empowers them
to discern and evaluate ultrasound images in real-time to reach a probable diagnosis
by applying their clinical judgement.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) remains an exciting career path ideally suited
for individuals prepared to thrive in a challenging yet rewarding healthcare environment.
About the Program
The DMS program has established an exceptional standing in both the local community
and throughout California, renowned for its delivery of exceptionally skilled technologists.
The program consists of 18 consecutive months of rigorous instruction, encompassing lectures, practical scanning exercises within
our on-campus laboratory, and closely supervised clinical training at affiliated hospitals.
After the successful completion of these 18 months, students attain an A.S. degree.
Our program has established partnerships with several prestigious Bay Area hospitals.
Over the duration of the program, our students actively participate in rotations at
these renowned healthcare institutions. This broad spectrum of exposure equips them
with specialized expertise in areas such as Abdomen, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Vascular
Sonography ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in the ARDMS national registry
examination.
Our program takes pride in its exceptional track record, exemplified by a 100% pass
rate in ARDMS registry exam, and a 100% success rate in job placements.
A diagnostic medical sonography career is for you if you are a health care professional
who cares about people and who also enjoys working with highly technical equipment.
If this describes you then join us and become a valuable member of the health care
professional team known as the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
Degree & Program Types
View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.
For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.
Certificate of Achievement
Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded a "Certificate of Program Completion" and become eligible to take the ARDMS board examination to earn credentials in Abdomen and Ob/Gyn.
Associate in Science
After successfully completing and graduating from the DMS program, apply to receive
an AS degree by following Steps to Petition for Your Degree.
Additional Information
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program of Foothill College is dedicated to the
integration of didactic, laboratory, and clinical objectives with emphasis on the
clinical aspect of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. These objectives are designed to
prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor
(skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended and
obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations. The program strives to strengthen its role as a principal community resource by providing
this program as well as continuing education to meet individual and collective needs.
The program goals include:
- Graduation of competent entry-level, board eligible sonographers.
- To develop the student's communication and critical thinking skills in order to function
as a competent and diligent member of the health care team.
- To develop technical skills to provide for comprehensive quality care to individuals
from a diverse socioeconomic, educational, and or cultural background.
- To graduate health care professionals who are respectful of others as well as practice
the principles of ethics including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity,
justice, fidelity, and recognize his/her responsibilities under the law.
- To develop the student's awareness and commitment toward understanding and implementing
the Code of Conduct & Code of Ethics as described by the Society of Diagnostic Medical
Sonography.
- To convey the importance of striving for continued improvement through education and
active participation in this profession.
The program's goals align with the institution's mission and focus on student learning
outcomes (SLOs) that meet college and state requirements. These SLOs are integrated
into the accreditation process, with each course having its own specific SLOs. The
primary program learning outcomes (PLOs) include:
- Students demonstrate essential knowledge, technical skills, analytical skills, interpersonal
skills, and diagnostic abilities within the scope of practice for diagnostic medical
sonography.
- Students demonstrate essential knowledge and values related to professional demeanor,
including the implementation of confidentiality and privacy in the practice of diagnostic
medical sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a professional qualified by professional credentialing,
academic, and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using
ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures.
The scope of practice includes those procedures, acts and processes permitted by law,
for which the individual has received education and clinical experience, has demonstrated
competency, and has completed the appropriate credentialing which is the standards
of practice.
Standards are designed to reflect behavior and performance levels to perform patient
assessments and evaluation using effective communication and analytical skills. Standards
include the ability to acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound, related
diagnostic technologies, and integration of data.
The sonographer provides preliminary reports of findings to the physician in accordance
with established procedures. The sonographer will use independent judgment and systematic
problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize
patient care and safety. Foothill College offers an exciting opportunity for practicing
diagnostic medical sonographers who need formalized education to pass the ARDMS examinations,
and for those in recognized American Medical Association Allied Health occupations
who wish to specialize in diagnostic medical sonography.
This 18-month certificate and possible Associate of Science degree program consists
of didactic and clinical experience. If you work in a recognized health profession,
this program provides the opportunity to apply your clinical experience to the program
requirements and offers a new and challenging career. This program will prepare you
for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams.
Instruction begins in September and completes 18 months later. All courses are completed
in sequence. The preceptorship (clinical) courses require thirty-two hours per week.
Didactic and laboratory instruction is in addition to the preceptorship assignment.
Students are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
(ARDMS) exams. Successful program completion leads to a Certificate of Achievement
and can lead to an Associate in Science degree. The curriculum is presented in six
quarters.
Formal academic course work will be presented by experienced practicing sonographers
and other health science professionals. Emphasis is placed on abdominal, obstetrics
and gynecology, superficial structures and vascular sonography.
Your course work will be further enhanced while you are on clinical assignment where
you will receive hands-on experience under the supervision of practicing sonographers.
Students typically pursue technical careers in the hospital, clinic, and office. With
additional technical experience career positions may include supervisory positions,
as a traveler or independent contractor. Most management, corporate, and education
positions require four-year college degrees in a related field.
Many career doors are open for you when you become a Registered Diagnostic Medical
Sonographer. Employment is available in the hospital, clinic, office, and mobile unit
environments. Employment is flexible meeting today's lifestyle needs. Opportunities
for full-time, part-time, on-call and per Diem positions are available. With experience
you may move into a position as department supervisor, manager, or clinical instructor.
Biomedical companies frequently choose sonographers to be technical representatives;
companies providing sonography services also need registered sonographers.
Where is Diagnostic Medical Sonography applied?
Sonography is used to assess many areas of the body. Advances in technology continue
to expand the areas of use for sonography. It is used as a diagnostic tool in the
following areas:
- Abdomen
- Brain (Neurosonography)
- Breast
- Cardiology
- Gynecology
- Male Reproductive System
- Musculoskeletal
- Ophthalmology
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
- Vascular System
- Veterinary Practice
Program Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has been in operation since 1984. The Diagnostic
Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic
Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The college is accredited by the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N,
#7709
Seminole, FL 33775
phone: 727-210-2350
fax: 727-210-2354
Joint Review Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
6021 University Boulevard
Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
phone: 443-973-3251
fax: 866-738-3444
web: www.jrcdms.org
e-mail: mail@jrcdms.org