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LCCC Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Oct 11, 2024  
LCCC Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS


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The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program offers students the knowledge and skills for performing high-quality diagnostic exams to aid the physicians in making a diagnosis. Most sonographers work in hospitals covering various shifts (nights, weekends, and holidays), medical clinics, and private practices. Sonographers may also find employment in the industrial sales of equipment, traveling sonography agencies, and educational institutions.

Graduates of this program will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The program is an intensive, six-semester program, not including prerequisite courses and is designed for students new to patient care. The sonographer must have an in-depth knowledge of physics, pathophysiology, human anatomy and physiology, and sonographic technique to create a diagnostic ultrasound image. Physicians depend on the sonographer’s experience to evaluate normal and abnormal body parts. The DMS program is accredited in general studies, which include Abdomen/Small Parts, OB/GYN, and Vascular Technology. Students of this program are eligible to sit for the national certifying exams of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Upon passing the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation and one of the specialties (Abdomen, OB, Vascular), a student is certified as a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS). For vast employment opportunities, it is advised to have all three specialty exams passed upon or following graduation.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS), is the accreditation agency of the sonography program at LCCC. The JRCDMS has established specific criteria for clinical settings for students, thus limiting the number of accepted students pending clinical site availability. Most students are employed immediately following graduation. The program begins a new class each summer.

The last three semesters of the program are primarily clinical experience, and students may be placed in various hospitals or clinics in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, or Montana. Students interested in the program may contact the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, or the Admission Office for details about the program admission process and timeline. Student selection occurs in March based on the application, prerequisites completed or in-progress, and other criteria as indicated in the program application material.

Laramie County Community College does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political affiliation, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its education program or activities.

The following prerequisites must be in progress or complete with a grade of “C” or better by the application deadline (February 28) for the sonography program. Students are encouraged to contact the sonography faculty for program-specific questions.

Contact Information

Contact information is available on the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program website.

Map your individual academic plan of courses with your College Advisor.

If students choose to transition to another program within the Health Sciences & Wellness pathway, they should be particularly aware of the choice points that indicate when a decision to branch off into another program must be made to ensure credits and time are not lost.

Coursework common to all degrees within this pathway is indicated by CAC, Common Academic Coursework, in the program map. 

Competencies


Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate technical proficiency by producing high-diagnostic images consistently.
  2. Demonstrate professional communication skills.
  3. Demonstrate consistent high-quality patient care.
  4. Display themselves ethically and professionally.
  5. Gain employment as a general and vascular entry-level sonographer.

First Semester - Prerequisites


Choice Points


  • Students pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) must take either ZOO 2010  OR ZOO 2015 
  • Student pursuing DMS should complete the prerequisite courses listed here during their first semester to avoid losing credits and to stay on track to apply to the program.

Semester Total: 13 Credits


Second Semester - Prerequisites


Milestones


  • Students are eligible to apply to the DMS program upon completion of the courses in this semester.

Semester Total: 13 Credits


First Semester


Milestones


  • The DMS program typically begins during the summer semester.

Semester Total: 6 Credits


Second Semester


Third Semester


Milestones


  • Upon completion of IMAG 1515  students are eligible to sit for the Sonography Principles of Instrumentation (SPI) board certification.

Semester Total: 12 Credits


Fourth Semester


Course Requirements


Milestones


  • DMS Clinical Education Begins typically occurs during the Summer Semester

Semester Total: 6 Credits


Fifth Semester


Semester Total: 12 Credits


Sixth Semester


Milestones


  • Completion of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS.
  • Students are eligible during this semester to apply for certification through ARDMS. The majority of employers mandate these certifications.

Semester Total: 15 Credits


Program Credit Hour Total: 89.5 Credits


Program Comments

Students planning to apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program should work closely with their Advising Team regarding course sequence options required for completion prior to program application. STRT 1000   is a general education requirement, but is not a prerequisite course requirement prior to program application. Students may apply to the program while enrolled in or completing the last semester of prerequisites. Students should closely review the program application for specific information and requirements prior to applying to the program.

The information below is intended to be a guide, and does not guarantee regional job placement, job availability, or a specific wage after completion of the program. Students are required to pass a licensure examination to work as a sonographer.

At the end of the Spring I semester, DMS students will obtain the following credential to become eligible for licensure:

  • ARDMS Sonography Principles of Instrumentation (SPI)

Upon graduation and/or employment, students are required to obtain licensure in the following concentrations:

  • ARDMS Abdomen
  • ARDMS OB/GYN
  • ARDMS Vascular Technology (VT)

Laramie County Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Students are eligible to sit for Abdomen and Obstetrics and Gynecology registries 60 days prior to graduation due to the longevity of their accreditation status.

Most sonographers seek employment in medical clinics and hospitals.

Additional information on careers in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is available through Career Coach and career specific related links below.

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)
2745 Dallas Parkway, Suite 350
Plano, TX 75093-4706
214.473.8057
www.sdms.org

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
51 Monroe Street, Plaza East One
Rockville, MD 20852
301.738.8401
www.ardms.org

Transfer Information

LCCC courses may transfer to institutions in addition to those with formal articulation agreements. Students are strongly encouraged to determine the degree requirements and transfer policy of the specific college/university and program to which they plan to transfer.

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