Information Packet DACC DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM INTRODUCTION: Thank you for your interest in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program at Doña Ana Community College-New Mexico State University. Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) is a medical field that utilizes sound waves to obtain information and produce images of internal structures/functions of the body. The program is designed to provide students with the academic coursework and clinical internship experience necessary to apply for the national certification examinations in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. There are 2 qualifying pathways for this program; depending on your previous educational background: Certificate Program for those applicants who have either a 2-year allied health degree (such as radiologic technology) OR a bachelor s degree in a medically related science (see prerequisite and admission requirements for specific content). This format is approximately 17 months in length (5 semesters). Associate Degree Program for those applicants whose back ground does not qualify them for the certificate track. This format is approximately 28 months in length (approximately 3-4 semesters of required prerequisite courses & 5 semesters of sonography courses). The prerequisite courses must be completed before being accepted into the program and requires a minimum 3.0 GPA overall. Students will be allowed one C grade in the prerequisite courses and still remain eligible for the program. There are restrictions on the number of times a student can repeat a course. Contact the program director for specific criteria. This program is a full time program and all sonography core courses relate to each other and are only offered once during the program so therefore cannot be taken out of sequence. Students must maintain a grade of C in all sonography core coursework and clinical internships to remain in the program. Students must take and pass End of Program Mock Registry Examination in order to graduate regardless of their academic standing in the program. Completion of the entire program is required for a student to be eligible to apply for Abdominal and OB/GYN sonography national registry examinations through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). Please visit our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography for additional information and to print out documents needed for application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Doña Ana Community College.
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION: Application Deadline: April 1st Address: DACC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program 3400 S. Espina Street MSC 3DA, P.O. Box 30001 PH 575-528-7047 Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001 FAX 575-527-7765 Program Length: Certificate Track approximately 17 months 5 semesters DMS courses Associate Degree Track approximately 28 months 3-4 semesters prerequisite courses 5 semesters of DMS courses Program Description: Doña Ana Community College will provide facilities for the didactic and lab portion of the DMS Program which will be held at the DACC campus. Hospitals and medical centers in southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas will provide facilities for the clinical internship portion of the program. The clinical and didactic portions are designed to provide sufficient instruction in several aspects of ultrasound to assure that students have adequate opportunity to acquire the necessary entrylevel knowledge and skills to pass the national registry examination in the subject areas covered. The program curriculum will encompass classroom instruction, laboratory training, and hands-on experience. Background Checks and Drug Screens: Students who do not pass required drug screens or background checks may be excluded from the selection process and/or dismissed from the program. Misdemeanor / Felony Information: Students convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may be ineligible to take national certification examinations through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certification is required to work in the state of New Mexico and may be required in other states. It is the students responsibility to petition the agencies for registry eligibility and to meet the regulations set forth by the ARDMS and the ARRT. Contact the program director for additional information.
Courses: Please refer to the Curriculum & Degree Plan for a list of courses needed for graduation. The Prerequisite Courses, (Core and Technical Requirement Courses) must be completed by the semester for which the application is being submitted. Application Process: Refer to our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography for Application and Admission Information To guarantee consideration for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, applications from qualified applicants must be submitted by the deadline date which is April 1st of each year. The program begins in the Fall Semester. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Student Selection Process: Program enrollment is limited and based on available clinical affiliates. Selection for the program is based on a point system and through an interview/screening process. Please refer to the Student Selection Process page on our website for details about the point system used for the particular track for which the applicant is applying. Grades: Students must maintain a B or better average in all prerequisite, core education and related professional requirement coursework and maintain a C or better average in all sonography technical coursework to continue in the program. Note: Students will be allowed only one C grade in the prerequisite course but must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Graduation Requirements & Certification Information: Graduation from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program requires satisfactory completion of all program requirements, an overall grade point average of C or higher, payment of all fees, and no clinical or academic probations. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as a general learning concentration program. Upon successful completion of this program, students may apply for national certification examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Abdominal and OB/GYN sonography. NOTE: Students convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may be ineligible to sit for national certification exams. See the Program Director for additional information.
Fees: Tuition information is listed in the DACC catalog and schedules and varies depending on your residency. Additional program fees include: Uniforms, name tag & appropriate shoes for your clinical internship Textbooks/on-line access this varies since many students purchase extra books throughout the program, but the required texts are expected to be approximately $800 for the entire program. Textbooks can be obtained at the DACC Bookstore. A $175.00 fee will be assessed to each of the Clinical Internship courses. Clinical clearance testing. All students must satisfy the clearance criteria of the clinical site for which they are assigned. These may include any/all of the following: current CPR and immunizations, background check, finger printing, and drug screening. All of the clearance requirements are done at the expense of the student. Clinical Site Internships & Assignments: The clinical experience is extremely important in providing students with the appropriate skills and consequently comprises a large portion of the program curriculum. Each student is assigned to a clinical facility or (facilities) where they will stay for the duration of the clinical internship portion of the program. In some instances, rotation into other facilities may be necessary during this internship for additional experience with certain exams or re-assignment may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. Assignments and rotations are to be determined by the program faculty. Applicants are given the opportunity to indicate their first 5 choices of clinical sites at the time of application. Consideration will be given, when possible, to the student s preference as well as the needs of each clinical affiliate during the clinical site assignment process. On occasions when more students choose a site than can be accommodated, the clinical site assignment will be done by the program faculty. Final acceptance into the program is dependent on the student s acceptance of his or her clinical site assignment and the successful completion of the acceptance criteria; such as background checks, immunizations, drug screening, CPS, and mandatory observation hours. Housing & Transportation: Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the student. Students may prefer to locate near their assigned clinical site. Attire: Class attire is casual (jeans, T-shirts, etc.). Clinical attire is to be professional and is determined by the clinical site specifications and the program. Computers: Students must have access to a computer and to the internet since some assignments and research for case reports will be web-based. Students must have basic computer and research skills.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS /COMPETENCIES/FUNCTIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM The curriculum leading to completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences essential to the acquisition and practice of essential healthcare professional skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and social abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these functions. In addition to being essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the program, these functions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow candidates, faculty and other healthcare providers. Health Requirements: Applicants must present evidence of good health and be able to meet the physical/mental requirements of the program which include lifting and positioning the patients, manipulating all ultrasound equipment and dealing with the demands of both the program and clinical site requirements. Shoulder, wrist, back, leg, and/or neck problems may prohibit the ability to perform ultrasound studies. Applicants are required to have a physical exam and up-to-date vaccinations. A Health Profile Form must be completed as part of the application documents (see orientation schedule). Prior to attending the clinical site students accepted into the program are required to have: personal health insurance; complete up-to-date immunizations (which will include titers for varicella and Hep B); and current CPR certification through American Heart Association (AHA). Required Physical & Cognitive Skills: The following are required skills of sonographers and sonography students: 1) Read, write and communicate effectively in English. 2) Possess emotional and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the profession. 3) Position, move and lift patients in wheelchairs and stretchers. 4) Maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning. 5) Position and move ultrasound equipment on wheels (up to 500 lbs). 6) Effectively operate sonographic equipment. 7) Evaluate sonograms in order to acquire appropriate diagnostic information. 8) Integrate diagnostic sonograms, laboratory results, patient history and medical records, and adapt sonographic examination as necessary. 9) Use independent judgment to acquire the optimum diagnostic sonographic information in each examination performed. 10) Evaluate, synthesize and communicate diagnostic information to the attending physician. 11) Communicate effectively with the patient and the health care team, recognizing the special nature of sonographic examinations and patient's needs. 12) Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and health care team. 13) Follow established departmental procedures. 14) Work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.
The essential abilities necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in a discipline as complex as healthcare and are needed for successful admission and continuance by candidate s for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at DACC are in addition to the standards of behavior and academic conduct set for the by the University Conduct code. These include but are not limited to the following abilities: Motor Skills Candidates should have sufficient motor function so that they are able to execute movements required to perform ultrasound examinations as well as general care and treatment to patients in ALL health care settings. For example: must be able to perform basic life support and function in an emergency situation to assist in moving patients form a chair to a bed, examination table or from a wheelchair to another location. Sensory/Observation Candidates must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and profession s sciences. He/she must be able to observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand and observe and appreciate non-verbal communications when performing an examination, assessment or administering of treatment. The candidate must be capable of perceiving the signs of disease and as manifested through physical exam. Such information is derived from images of the body in cross section or otherwise, palpable changes in various organs and tissues, and auditory information (i.e. patient voice, Doppler signals). Communication The candidate must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, patients, family, and other professionals. He/she must express his/her ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. A candidate must be able to; convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history; identify problems presented; explain alternative solutions; and give directions during treatment and posttreatment. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms. The candidate must be able to process and communicate information on the patient s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team. The appropriate communication may also rely on the candidate s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner. Cognitive A candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize in the context of undergraduate professional study. The candidate must be able to quickly read and comprehend extensive written material. He/she must also be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical setting. Behavioral/Emotional A candidate must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of god judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and families. In addition, he/she must be able to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances including highly stressful situations. The candidate must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The candidate must be able to experience empathy for the situations and circumstances of others and effectively communicate that empathy. The candidate must know that his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect his or her perceptions and relationships with others. The
candidate must be able and willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with productive individual tor team relationships. The candidate must possess skills and experience necessary for effective and harmonious relationship in diverse academic and working environments. Professional Conduct Candidates must possess the ability to reason morally and practice in an ethical manner. Candidates must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice. He/she must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance. Candidates must be able to engage in patient care delivery in ALL settings and be able to deliver care to ALL patient populations including but not limited to children, adolescents, adults developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised patients, and vulnerable adults. Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities The University is committed to ensuring that otherwise qualified students with disabilities are given equal access through reasonable accommodations to its services, programs, activities, education and employment for students with disabilities. Students who wish to request reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the Student Services for Students with Disabilities at 575-527-7548 or ssddacc@nmsu.edu to start the process for documenting their disability and determining eligibility for services. Students with disabilities are expected to perform all the essential functions of the program with or without reasonable accommodation. While the program will make every effort to work with our students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, it is important to note we are not required to provide requested accommodations that would fundamentally alter the essential function or technical standards of the program. Visit our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography for additional information needed for application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Doña Ana Community College.
PREREQUISITES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program ASSOCIATE DEGREE TRACK Successful completion of high school or a GED OR Successful completion of a college degree in a non-medically related field with a GPA of 3.0 or better OR Overall college GPA of 3.0 or better AND Completion of the following courses with a B average or better: (one C will be allowed but GPA must be a minimum of 3.0) ENGL111G ENGL 218G Rhetoric and Composition OR COMM 253G Public Speaking MATH 121G PHYS 211G PSY 201G Technical & Scientific Communication College Algebra General Physics I Introduction to Psychology OR SOC 201G Contemporary Social Problems CHEM 110G OR CHEM 111G General Chemistry I AHS 120 AHS 202 BIOL 225 BIOL 226 BIOL 227 Principles and Applications of Chemistry Medical Terminology Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care Anatomy & Physiology I Anatomy & Physiology II Pathophysiology NOTE: Courses listed in BOLD require prerequisites Many aspects of a candidate's application, including academic background, communication skills, and work-related background, are reviewed during the student selection process. Completion of the program prerequisites does not guarantee entry into the DMS Program. Students are selected based on a point system in two phases (see *Student Selection Process webpage). This is a limited-entry program with the number of students chosen for the program determined by accreditation standards and the availability of clinical internship locations. See the *Admission Application Process webpage for step by step instructions for applying to the Associate Degree Track of the DMS Program. *Visit our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography to view these pages.
PREREQUISITES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program CERTIFICATE TRACK Completion of either an associate degree in an allied health field which is medically related and involves human patient care (proof of current certification in one s allied health area is required). o Note: Recent graduates may apply for the DMS program before they take national registry examinations provided that they schedule and pass their national examination before start date of the program. OR A bachelor s degree in a related science that includes a course in medical terminology and two semesters of anatomy and physiology. AND Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher College-level course in algebra (MATH 121G or equivalent) College-level course in general physics (PHYS 211G) or radiographic physics (RADT 105) It is strongly recommended that applicants have taken course work in algebra and physics within 5 years prior to applying to the program. These courses provide a good foundation for the ultrasound physics and instrumentation course in this program. It is also recommended that applicants invest time and energy exploring the career duties, responsibilities and training of diagnostic medical sonographers including but not limited to: professional societies, credentialing organizations, accreditation standards (links to these organizations are provided on the program website) as well as direct observation or communication with sonographers, if possible. Many aspects of a candidate's application, including academic background, communication skills, and work-related background are reviewed during the student selection process. Completion of the program prerequisites does not guarantee entry into the DMS Program. Students are selected based on a point system in two phases (see *Student Selection Process webpage). This is a limited-entry program with the number of students chosen for the program determined by accreditation standards and the availability of clinical internship locations. See the *Admission Application Process webpage for step by step instructions for applying to the Certificate Track of the DMS Program) *Visit our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography to view these pages.
CURRICULUM & DEGREE PLAN Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Associate Degree Curriculum: (88* credits) Core Requirements: (16 credits) Credits ENGL 111G Rhetoric and Composition 4 ENGL 218G Technical & Scientific Communication 3 OR COMM 253G Public Speaking 3 MATH 121G College Algebra 3 PHYS 211G General Physics 3 PSY 201G Introduction to Psychology 3 OR SOC 201G Contemporary Social Problems 3 Related Professional Requirements: (21 credits) AHS 120 Medical Terminology 3 AHS 202 Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care 3 CHEM 110G Principles and Applications of Chemistry 4 OR CHEM 111G General Chemistry I 4 BIOL 225 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 BIOL 226 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 BIOL 227 Pathophysiology 3 Technical Program Requirements: (51* credits) DMS 101 Introduction to Sonography 2 DMS 110 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 4* DMS 112 Abdomen Sonography I 4 DMS 113 GYN Sonography 3 DMS 114 OB Sonography 4 DMS 115 Abdomen Sonography II 3 DMS 116 Introduction to Vascular Technology 3 DMS 117 Advanced Sonographic Procedures 2 DMS 118 Neurosonography 2 DMS 120 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar I 4 DMS 122 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar II 4 DMS 124 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar III 8* DMS 126 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar IV 8* Optional Credits: DMS 155 Special Topics 1-12 DMS 200 Independent Study 1-8 *effective Spring 2015
CURRICULUM & DEGREE PLAN Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Certificate Curriculum: (57* credits) Core Requirements: (6 credits) Credits MATH 121G College Algebra 3 PHYS 211G General Physics 3 OR RADT 105 Radiographic Physics and Equipment 3 Technical Program Requirements: (51* credits) DMS 101 Introduction to Sonography 2 DMS 110 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 4* DMS 112 Abdomen Sonography I 4 DMS 113 GYN Sonography 3 DMS 114 OB Sonography 4 DMS 115 Abdomen Sonography II 3 DMS 116 Introduction to Vascular Technology 3 DMS 117 Advanced Sonographic Procedures 2 DMS 118 Neurosonography 2 DMS 120 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar I 4 DMS 122 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar II 4 DMS 124 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar III 8* DMS 126 Clinical Internship & Advanced Seminar IV 8* Optional: DMS 155 Special Topics 1-12 DMS 200 Independent Study 1-8 *effective Spring 2015 Students enrolled in the DMS program are evaluated by the following grade distribution PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Score Range Letter Grade Credits 100-98 A+ 4.0 97-95 A 4.0 94-92 A- 3.7 91-89 B + 3.3 88-86 B 3.0 85-83 B- 2.7 82-80 C+ 2.3 79-77 C 2.0 76-74 C- 2.0 <74 Dropped from the program
DMS PROGRAM - SUGGESTED COURSE SCHEDULING General Studies and Allied Health Core: Note: Some of the courses require prerequisites. Associate Degree Track Starts Here Prerequisites: (These courses are to be completed by the time of application into the DMS program) ENGL 111G ENGL 218G COMM 253G MATH 121G PHYS 211G PSY 201G SOC 201G CHEM 110G CHEM 111G AHS 120 AHS 202 BIOL 225 BIOL 226 BIOL 227 Rhetoric and Composition Technical & Scientific Communication OR Public Speaking College Algebra General Physics Intro to Psychology OR Contemporary Social Problems Principles and Applications of Chemistry OR General Chemistry Medical Terminology Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care Anatomy & Physiology I Anatomy & Physiology II Pathophysiology Sonography Technical Core: Certificate Track Starts Here (These courses are to be completed after admission into the DMS program) Fall DMS 101 Introduction to Sonography 2 DMS 112 Abdominal Sonography I 4 DMS 113 GYN Sonography 3 DMS 116 Introduction to Vascular Technology 3 Spring DMS 115 Abdominal Sonography II 3 DMS 110 Ultrasound Physics 4* DMS 120 Clinical Internship I 4 DMS 122 Clinical Internship II 4 Summer I (5 weeks) DMS 118 Neurosonography 2 Summer II (5 weeks) DMS 117 Advanced Sonographic Procedures 2 Summer (Full Session) DMS 124 Clinical Internship III 8* Fall DMS 114 OB Sonography 4 DMS 126 Clinical Internship IV 8* *effective Spring 2015 Optional: DMS 155 Special Topics 1-12 DMS 200 Independent Study 1-8 DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM
CHECKLIST FOR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS Please use this checklist to make sure that all the required documents for application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program are included in your application packet. APPLICANT: Date Admission to DACC (if NOT currently enrolled at DACC or NMSU): Completed DACC application form (or Re-Application form, if applicable) $20.00 application fee (not necessary for Re-Applications) Current, official copies of all college transcripts (mailed to Admissions Office) DMS Program Application Documents TEAS V exam score Program Application Packet (handed out at orientation meetings - see website for schedule) Proof of Personal Health Insurance DMS Program application form (or re-application form, if applicable) Unofficial Copies of all college transcripts to Program (including current DACC/NMSU) Clinical Site Selection form Health profile questionnaire (completed by a Healthcare provider) Resume of your educational and work experiences (Certificate track applicants only) Copy of your current professional certification card (Allied health applicants) Copy of your diploma (Bachelor Degree applicants only) Please visit our website at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/hps/sonography for additional information and to print out documents needed for application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Doña Ana Community College. Application Deadline, April 1st Please keep a copy of all application materials for your record.