Program Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) is a rapidly emerging, relatively new medical diagnostic technique. High frequency ultrasound waves are transmitted like sonar through the human body, and the reflections are converted into images that map out the body. The images are called sonograms. Ultrasound is used to image organs, muscles, masses, fluid accumulations and the unborn fetus. Unlike X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound waves do not involved radiation. To date, no known biological hazardous effects, to the patient or sonographer, have been documented.

The diagnostic medical sonographer is a skilled person qualified by academic, laboratory, and clinical training to provide patient services. The sonographer serves as the eyes and ears of the physician, who will interpret the medical images produced through sonography.

Sonographers work in a variety of health care settings, including regional medical centers, hospitals, diagnostic centers, clinics, and doctors’ offices. They perform their duties in diagnostic labs, trauma centers, emergency rooms, operating rooms, interventional suites, labor and delivery facilities, and at the bedside. The job positions available to sonographers range from staff sonographer to supervisor, department manager, educator, applications specialist, sales associate, and research and development technology.

Mission and Goals

The Medical Center Campus offers a six-semester, two year Associate in Science degree program requiring a total of 72 credit hours. Students will spend approximately 1,920 hours in clinical settings.

Attendance is full-time, during the day, and the program averages up to 40 hours per week. Since the program is designed to prepare students for the profession of diagnostic medical sonography rather than simply for a job, students should expect to attend conferences and seminars that are offered on occasional evenings and weekends. As a result of scheduling requirements, it may become necessary to have occasional evening or weekend courses.

The program prepares students for work in four specialties: Abdomen, Neurosonology, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Adult Echocardiography.

The mission of the program is to provide the stimulation, encouragement, and counseling conducive to an excellent learning environment for a progressive education in diagnostic medical sonography. The program seeks to develop graduates who will…

• understand the basic principles of diagnostic medical sonography and its disciplines;

• function in entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer positioning;

• recognize the importance of the patient in the provisions of health care;

• demonstrate an understanding of the diagnostic medical sonographer’s role in relation to the function and organization of other allied health professions;

• recognize the need for continued learning in order to adapt to changes and challenges within the profession of diagnostic medical sonography; and

• achieve a passing grade on the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ examinations.

ADA Standards - Technical Standards

A student sonographer must be able to…

• See in very dim light
• Distinguish colors
• Discriminate subtle sounds
• Push heavy equipment (200 lbs.) in wheels)
• Push patients in stretchers and in wheelchairs
• Assist in lifting, transferring, and position patients
• Communicate in clear and concise English
• Read, understand and follow instructions accurately
• Utilize a key board
• Have good wrist strength and hand grip
• Stand and walk for extended period of time (several hours)
• And employ body mechanics to bend, stretch reach, stoop kneel, and twist in the performance of duties.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Curriculum

Course Plan - August Entry Only

Approximate Cost of the Program

As of August 2006, the cost of tuition was $68.94 per credit for in-state students and $228.76 per credit for out-of-state students. Here are estimates for total tuition, based on 72 credits at these per-credit rates. In-state students: $4,964.00, Out-of-state students: $16.471.00. Tuition is due at the beginning of each term and can be determined by multiplying the number of credits by the cost per credit hour. Additionally, over the course of the program, students should expect to pay $456.00 in fees (application, lab, liability and accidental health insurance), as well as $1,800 for textbooks and $125 for uniforms, appropriate footwear for the clinical courses, and pin.

 Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). It is the only CAAHEP-accredited sonography program in Miami-Dade County. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the national certification exams of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in Abdomen, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Neurosonology and Adult Echocardiography.

Licensure

Licensure is not required in the state of Florida for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Although Diagnostic Medical Sonography registration and certification is not required for employment either, many employers require it. Graduates are encouraged to apply to sit for their registries in order to become more marketable.

Important Phone Numbers

New Student Center		305-237-4141
Advisement Services		305-237-4238
Financial Aid		305-237-4160
Student Life		305-237-4213
Testing Services		305-237-4275

 

Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you must meet these criteria:

• You hold, or will hold at the time of enrollment in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
  
  
• You have applied to and been fully accepted by Miami Dade College. (For application information, see the Miami Dade College Catalog, available from admissions and registration offices on any campus.
  
  
• You are a graduate of a two-year accredited allied health or nursing program (including algebra and English) that is patient-care oriented or have completed, with a C grade or better, the following prerequisite courses:

ENC 1101 English Composition MAC 1105 Algebra (or MAT 1033 if taken prior to 1997) BSC 1005 General Education Biology BSC 1105L General Education Biology Lab PHY 1004 Physics 1 PHY 1004L Physics 1 Lab BSC 2085 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 BSC 2085L Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab BSC 2086 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 BSC 2086L Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab

• You have completed the core courses HSC 0003 Introduction to Health Care including CPR and HIV/Aids.
  
  
• You have earned a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 (3.0 preferred) on a scale of 4.0 for the pre-requisite courses.
  
  
• You have successfully completed, as a condition for final acceptance, a physical examination, which includes having the required immunizations and completing the Hepatitis B vaccine or waiver.
  
  
• You have satisfied the College Computer Competency requirements.
  

Faculty and Staff

	Dalia Sanchez-Suarez Program Coordinator Phone: 305-237-4245 Email: Dalia.sanchez-suarez@mdc.edu
	Carmen Bisono Clinical Coordinator Phone: 305-237-4244 Email: Carmen.bisono@mdc.edu
	Lydia Espanol-Olmeda Lab Manager Phone: 305-237-4063 Email: Lydia.espanololmedo@mdc.edu
	Gwen Gilbert Secretary Phone: 305-237-4300 Email: gwendolyn.gilbert@mdc.edu

 Visit the Medical Center Campus on the Web at www.mdc.edu/medical/
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to access this web site

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.