Nature of Work

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are skilled health care workers who assist the physician as a sonographer.  Diagnostic Medical Sonographers perform various procedures which have been delegated to them by the physician.  These procedures include:

• Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
• Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomical, pathological and/or physiological data for interpretation by a physician.
• Record and process sonographic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
• Exercise discretion and judgement in the performance of sonographic services.
• Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and promote principles of hood health.
  

Program Description

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at CSN is a two-year associates degree program preparing students for a career in the health profession of sonography (Diagnostic Medical Sonography). The students have the choice of one of two different tracts:

General/Vascular Ultrasound Tract

Students are prepared in the use of ultrasound for the imaging of soft tissue in the areas of the abdomen and pelvis as well at obstetrical and vascular ultrasound applications. Upon graduation, the students are eligible to sit for 5 national registry exams; General Physics, Abdomen, OB/GYN, Vascular Physics, and Vascular Ultrasound Technology. When they pass the exams they will be allowed to use the initials RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) and RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist) after their names.

Cardiac/Vascular Tract

Students are prepared in the use of ultrasound for the imaging of the adult and pediatric heart and vascular areas of the body. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for 5 national registry exams, Cardiac Physics, Adult Echocardiography, Pediatric Echocardiography, Vascular Physics, and Vascular Technology. When they pass the exams, they will be allowed to use the initials RDCS (Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer) and RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist) after their names.

Accreditation

The program received full accreditation from the Joint Review Committee for Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) and the parent organization, Committee for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP), in the Spring of 2001.

Certification as a Sonographer

No individual is eligible to apply for certification unless in compliance with all American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers rules and standards.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs at CSN

• General / Vascular Program Course Sheet and Application Deadlines
• Career Guide and Approximate Costs
• General / Vascular Selection criteria

• Cardiac / Vascular Program Course Sheet and Application Deadlines
• Career Guide and Approximate Costs
• Cardiac / Vascular Selection Criteria

Admission Requirements

This is a Limited Entry Program.  Therefore, an application for admission must be submitted by the application deadline and all prerequisite requirements must be completed by the completion deadline in order to be eligible for consideration.  This material is reviewed using selection criteria set by the program.  Applicants are notified of their standing by the Limited Entry office.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Observation Report Record

(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print the above form(s).  If you do not already have it on your computer, click on the logo for the free download.)

Pilot Test for Assessment of Anatomy & Physiology

Note: Only students applying to the Nursing or Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program may be eligible to take the Pilot Test.

Science courses must be no older than 7 years old at the time of entry into the Limited Entry Programs at CSN. Students applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program who completed college transferable course(s) with a "C" or better in Anatomy & Physiology (8 credits) greater than 7 years ago may be eligible to take a pilot test for this subject. By satisfactorily passing a standardardized exam for Anatomy & Physiology, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director will waive the 7 year policy for the science courses, and science courses can then be used for purposes of selection into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.

Pilot Test Information

New Student Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Students First Checklist. This checklist provides information on the registration process for new students seeking a Limited-Entry Health Science Degree or Certificate.

How to Transfer Credits to CSN

For further information, contact the Health Programs Advisement office.  Additionally, it is very important that interested students attend an orientation as soon as possible for complete admissions information.   Program orientations are held weekly.  You can call (702)651-5015 for pre-recorded orientation information. 

If you require other information, please e-mail the Health Programs Advisor directly.