diagnostic medical sonography at tidewater community college
TRANSCRIPT
Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Tidewater Community College
Choosing a program• Look for programmatic accreditation• Assures that you can take professional certification examinations when they
graduate• The DMS program at TCC is accredited by the commission on accreditation of
allied health education programs (CAAHEP) via The joint review committee on education in diagnostic medical sonography (JRC-DMS).
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs1361 Park StreetClearwater, FL 33756Phone: 727-210-2350Fax: 727-210-2354
www.caahep.org
• JRC-DMS6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500Ellicott City, MD 21043E-mail address: [email protected] contacts: Cindy Weiland or Gerry MagatPhone number: 443-973-3251
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Where Are Other DMS Programs?• TCC had the first and now one of three accredited general
sonography programs in Virginia• Abdomen, Obstetrical and gynecological sonography
• There is an accredited Cardiovascular Technology Program at Sentara School of Health Professions• Cardiac OR Vascular sonography
• There is a hospital based accredited program at Southside Regional Hospital in Petersburg, VA.• There is an accredited general sonography program at
NOVA• There is an accreditation general sonography program at
PVCC.
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Ultrasound Is The Same As Sonography
• Ultrasound is non ionizing and can be used to image:• Abdomens• Female pelvis• Pregnancy• Blood vessels• The heart
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What Do Students Ask?
Can I get a job?
How much will I make?
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The Future of Ultrasound – Job Market Outlook
• The Department of Labor predicts Sonography to grow “faster than average” until at least 2018.• Jobs are available in hospitals, doctor’s offices and
imaging centers, education, mobile services and industry.• OB office jobs are NOT usually secured by new
graduates.• Most jobs are flexi or part-time
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What are the salaries for sonographers?
• Salaries vary depending on years of experience, number of specialties practiced, as well geographic location. There are opportunities for full-time and part-time employment. • In Hampton Roads most sonographers start in
the low to mid $20’s per hour• There is often “call” involved in sonography jobs• Call back to the department for emergency
cases
www.sdms.org Oct 2005
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DMS Career Specifics• JOB TITLE• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer • JOB DESCRIPTION• A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a Diagnostic
Ultrasound Professional that is qualified by professional credentialing and academic and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures. The scope of practice of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer 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 ARDMS certification(s) which is the standard of practice in ultrasound.
www.sdms.org Oct 2005
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The DMS Program
• The greatest percentage of clinical time and experience is in “general” or abdominal sonography• Approximately 50%• 20% is in small parts• 30% is in OB/GYN
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The Professional Responsibilities• include, but are not limited, to: • obtaining and recording an accurate patient history • performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining
diagnostic images • analyzing technical information • using independent judgement in recognizing the
need to extend the scope of the procedure according to the diagnostic findings
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What are some of the technical standards?
Sonographers and Vascular Technologists must be able to:• Lift more than 50 pounds routinely •Push and pull routinely •Bend and stoop routinely •Have full use of both hands, wrists and
shoulders •Distinguish audible sounds 11
What are some of the technical standards?
• Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions • Work standing on their feet 80% of the time • Interact compassionately and effectively with the
sick or injured • Assist patients on and off examining tables • Communicate effectively with patients and other
health care professionals • Organize and accurately perform the individual
steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence 12
What are some of the technical standards?
• Problem solving, which is used in the determination of a differential diagnosis, requires all of these intellectual abilities. • The abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning,
analysis, and synthesis. • Motor: All applicants should have sufficient motor function
to move patients as required. • Examples of emergency treatment reasonably
required of sonographers include cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Students will be required to use both hands at once in order to obtain an adequate sonographic image.
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What are some of the technical standards?
Spatial Reasoning
• In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
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Working Under Stress
• Sonographers often carry heavy workloads and are required to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to make decisions based upon the findings presented in each new case or patient.
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DMS at TCC
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
• These classes are usually complete by the application deadline in order to meet the application benchmarks and earn enough points to be competitive.
FIRST YEARFall Semester
BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
HLT 105 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (1)
HLT 141 Medical Terminology I (2)MTH 126 Mathematics for Allied
Health (3)PHY 100 Elements of Physics (4)STD 101 Orientation to Health
Care (1)15 16
Note: HLT 143 is acceptable for program application
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Spring Semester
DMS 206 Introduction to Sonography (2) DMS 207 Sectional Anatomy (2)DMS 208 Ultrasound Physics Instrumentation I (3)DMS 211 Abdominal Sonography (4)DMS 231 Clinical Education I (2)
ENG 111 College Composition I (3) – Usually done prior to entrance into program
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SECOND YEAR
Summer SemesterDMS 209 Ultrasound Physics Instrumentation
II (3)DMS 221 Ultrasound Seminar I (3)DMS 232 Clinical Education II (4)10
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ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Fall Semester
DMS 212 OB GYN Sonography (4)DMS 223 Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound (3)DMS 233 Clinical Education III (5)
Humanities Elective (3) Usually done prior to entrance into program
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ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Spring Semester
DMS 222 Sonography Review (3)DMS 234 Clinical Education IV (6)
Social Science Elective (3) Usually done prior to entrance into program
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Minimum Credits Required 69
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ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Computer Competence• All TCC students who plan to graduate in a program in
excess of 45 semester credits are required to demonstrate basic computer competency with: • word processing • spreadsheet • database • Internet/e-mail software - Obtained in the DMS
program• There are two ways to meet requirements:• Passing designated computer-related course(s) • Passing a computer competency tests, available in each
campus through the counseling center• http://www.tcc.edu/students/graduates/computer.htm
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Program Goals• Purpose: The program's purpose is to develop competent and
professional sonographers, are proficient in all facets of diagnostic medical ultrasound, are capable of passing the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's examination, and have a high degree of adaptability in a changing and rapidly advancing field. A further aim is to develop qualities of leadership prerequisite to teaching and supervision in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.
• • Clinical Objectives: The purpose of the Clinical Education courses is
to provide meaningful, well-balanced sonographic experiences for student sonographers in preparation for entry-level employment as sonographers. TCC seeks to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains related to diagnostic medical sonography.
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What do students ask? ---
How do I get into the DMS program?
Are there evening classes?
Can I go part-time?
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How do I get into the DMS program?• It’s a VERY competitive program.• We accept between 15 and 17 students per year• For more than five years we’ve had over 100
applicants• This is a full-time DAY program with classes on the
Virginia Beach campus• Due to clinical component of program.• Some clinical rotations may be offered on
evenings or weekend shifts• All courses must be taken sequentially.
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How do I get into the DMS program?• Apply by the deadline• Follow the application instructions• Meet the benchmarks• Take as many non-sonography classes as
possible by the application deadline• Get some medical background experience
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DMS at TCC• Application deadline is May 15 every year• 15 – 17 students will be accepted into the program• Classes start in August• General education classes in Fall semester• May be all done with these classes by this time
• Sonography classes start in Spring semester• Program Director becomes counselor
• Didactic and clinical education components are intertwined• Clinical education sites are assigned by faculty
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DMS Program Application Benchmarks
• Based on input from the DMS advisory committee the following cut-offs have been used for the past several years to get an interview:• All applicants have:
1.Been Virginia residents2.Completed placement tests and developmental work, if
required3.Received an A in Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 141) 4.Taken medical terminology with an A or B5.Received an A or B in Math (MTH 126 or higher)6.Received an A or B in Physics (PHY 100 or higher or
radiographic physics)7.Had SOME medical experience8.Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higherCompleted and submitted the application on time.These benchmarks have been recently revised!
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Criminal Background Checks
• Students with a positive criminal background may not be accepted for an interview.• Students with a positive criminal background will
be required to undergo screening for eligibility to sit for the national credentialing examinations prior to the start of the program through www.ardms.org
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Do I Need to Submit a Transcript With The Program Application?
• You submit an official transcript to TCC for transfer courses AND• Submit an unofficial transcript along with the health
professions application. Transcripts often delay the evaluation of applications and this will help ensure you receive “points” for all classes completed by the application deadline.
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DMS Application Information
• Students will admitted to the program on a “point” system. The following courses may be completed prior to the start of the program and will earn applicants’ points during the application process:
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DMS Application Points
• College Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 141)• A = 40 pts.; B = 15 pts.; C = 5 pts.(Do not
meet benchmark requirements)
• College Math (MTH 126 or higher)• A = 25 pts.; B = 15 pts.; C = 5 pts. (Does not
meet benchmark requirements) 31
Application Points
• College physics (PHY 100 or higher or radiographic physics)•A = 25 pts.; B = 15 pts.; C = 5 pts. (Does not
meet benchmark requirements)
•Medical Terminology (HLT 141 or 143)•A = 20 pts.; B = 5 pts.; C = 1 pts. (Does not
meet benchmark requirements)32
DMS Application Points• All remaining courses earn • A = 5 pts.; B = 3 pts.; C = 1 pt.
• English 111
• One Social Science elective
• A Humanities elective • (See http://www.tcc.edu/academics/programs/elective.htm
for a complete listing of acceptable electives)33
Application Points
• Introduction to microcomputers • or documentation of computer competence• No points are earned for challenge of skills
• Orientation to Healthcare (A = 3; B = 1)
• No points are earned for CPR certification34
DMS Application Points
• Students will earn points for medical background. Formal education will earn the following points:
• Radiography senior students or registered radiographers = 30 pts. • Four-year health programs = 25 pts. • Two-year allied health programs = 20 pts. 35
DMS Application Points• One year health programs or completion of the state licensure
examination for nurse aid or other allied health background less than one year in length = 15 pts.
• Programs of one year or less = 10 pts.• Nurse Aid, EMT, medical assistant, dental assistant,
phlebotomy
• Applicants with no medical background should consider taking a nurse aid (CNA) course in order to earn some points in this category. This is also a very good way to obtain patient care skills and be sure that a hands-on health care field is really what you want from a career choice.
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General Education Coursework
• All accepted students will be required to complete the first semester of general education course successfully prior to the start of sonography coursework. Any student not successfully completing general education coursework will be replaced with an alternate candidate who has completed all general education coursework
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Can I Earn Extra Points ?
• For instance can I take BIO 142 and earn extra points?• No.
• Can I earn points for being an EMT AND a nurse aid program?• No.
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What Happens After The Interview?• If invited to interview students earn points for the
interview process• Students are invited to write an essay and earn points for
that• Based on points from:• Grades• Experience• Interview• Essay• The top 15 – 17 students are invited into the
program 39
DMS Clinical Education
• This is a full-time day program with all didactic course work located on the Virginia Beach campus of TCC.• Students are responsible for their own
transportation to clinical sites• Excessive tardiness will result in dismissal from the
program• Clinical sites may be ANY hospital or other
designated setting located in South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula.• Program officials will assign clinical rotations to
students40
Medical Physical Examination Requirements
• Students who have been accepted into the program will be required to submit documentation of a medical examination, including vaccination records, prior to entering the program.
• Some clinical rotations have STRICTER requirements than TCC and may REQUIRE titer results.
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Program Absence Policy
• All students will adhere to a strict attendance policy• 6 personal days are allowed for clinical• One first Spring and Summer semesters• Two Fall and second Spring semesters• above that all absences may affect clinical grades
and must be made up• All students are allowed two personal days per
semester (One in Summer semester) for didactic classes• Above that all absences may affect didactic
grades42
DMS Dress Code• There is a very strict dress code for clinical and
on-campus scanning labs
• No acrylic or gel nails are allowed• No dark nail color is allowed• Hair must be back or up and out of face• No visible tattoos or facial piercings are allowed• All white or all black shoes are required – no
contrasting color or logos allowed on them• Scrubs must be solid colors and match• Contrasting long sleeve t shirt may be worn
underneath• A white lab jacket is required
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Professionalism
• All students may be removed from the program at program official discretion based on professionalism or other non didactic related issues• All students must maintain a C in all
classes or they will be removed from the program
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Patient Privacy
• Students will be held to strict guidelines regarding patient privacy• Any violation of patient privacy
standards may result in dismissal from the program
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Clinical Exposure and Safety
• Some lifting and exposure to body fluids is likely.• OSHA guidelines regarding safety will be
strictly enforced
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DMS Coursework
• All students will be assigned significant amounts of reading and homework• Not completing these assignments will
impact both didactic grades and course performance• Some project work will be assigned to
students• This will involve powerpoint and other computer
based media assignments 47
Other Program Expenses
• Students must join a professional society• Students must attend a sonography
meeting• Books• This may include software costs
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Professional Membership
• All students will be required to join a professional society during the first semester of the DMS program
• Approximate cost is $50.00
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The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• www.sdms.org
Professional Education
• All students will be required to attend a continuing education seminar or meeting worth at least 5 CME credits• This may require overnight travel• Approximate cost of travel and lodging varies
based on location of meeting • Meeting cost will vary based on meeting
location
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DMS Registry Examinations• The DMS program provides education in
general sonography• Upon graduation students are eligible to
apply to sit for the ARDMS national sonography registry• Total cost of this examination is
approximately $700.00• Students are eligible to apply to sit for
registry examinations in:Physics (during Summer semester)Abdomen (during final Spring semester)OB/GYN (during final Spring semester)
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General Information• Go to a Health Professions Open House• Third Thursday of every month• Virginia Beach campus – Regional Health
Professions Center• MN 121, 4 – 5 pm.• Starts promptly at 4 PM
• For general more program info go to: www.tcc.edu/healthprofessions• For other questions contact the program director at
822-7271 or [email protected]• Felicia M. Toreno, PhD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT• Director, DMS 54
DMS Program Application Benchmarks• Based on input from the DMS advisory committee the following cut-
offs have been used for the past several years to get an interview:• All applicants have:
1.Been Virginia residents2.Completed placement tests and developmental work, if
required3.Received an A in Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 141) 4.Taken medical terminology with an A or B5.Received an A or B in Math (MTH 126 or higher)6.Received an A or B in Physics (PHY 100 or higher or
radiographic physics)7.Had SOME medical experience8.Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higherCompleted and submitted the application on time.These benchmarks have been recently revised!
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DMS Application Checklist
1. Apply to TCC2. Take Math and English placement tests3. Earn points by taking and completing as
many non-DMS courses as possible prior to application deadline.
4. Take a hands-on medical training program.
5. Apply to the DMS program6. Meet the program benchmarks to be
offered an interview56
DMS Application Checklist7. Attend a DMS open house (starts promptly at 4 PM the third
Thursday of every month – no late entries allowed)
8. Submit official transcripts AND request they are evaluated by TCC• Missing transcripts are often the source of greatest delay
to applicants or cause of non-acceptance into the program and is the applicant’s responsibility.
• Request transcript evaluation at https://www.tcc.edu/secure/forms/evaluationrequest.php
9. Submit unofficial transcripts (stapled to application) and application by May 15 deadline• This allows points to more easily assigned and helps
prevent non-acceptance due to missing or misplaced transcripts.
• Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
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QUESTIONS?
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