~ ADVANCED CERTIFICATE ~
DESCRIPTION
This specialized training combines clinical and didactic
diagnostic medical ultrasound experience in a 16-month certificate
program. The majority portion of the experience is "hands-on‖ at
appropriate clinical sites under the supervision of qualified and
registered ultrasound staff called Preceptors. The program delivers
a competency-based dedicated ultrasound curriculum with novice-level
clinical experience at the start of the program followed by
increasing clinical responsibility and accountability over time.
This underscores the importance of the clinical scanning experience
and serves to enhance the ―connectedness‖ of the didactic (on
campus) to the clinical component (at clinic) at the outset of the
program.
The clinical practicum parallels clinical competencies based on a
program entitled the SCAN. This program is a nationally accepted
tool serving to standardize the clinical experience in a graduated
way so that competencies over a timeline can be assessed. The SCAN
program has been designed and implemented by the Society of
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (S.D.M.S.) and its educational arm,
the Educational Foundation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicants to certain programs should be aware that a criminal
background check may be required while they are enrolled in the
program, or as a condition of employment in the field; that certain
internship and/or practicum sites, such as health care facilities,
may limit or deny clinical privileges to those who have a prior or
current criminal record; and that certain licensing boards may
refuse to issue a license to practice based upon prior or current
criminal offense(s). To learn more about whether the program or
profession you are interested in has such requirements or
limitations, please see the Department Chair.
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of this newly designed 16-month continuous diploma
program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is to train qualified Maine
students for entry-level competency positions in a diagnostic
ultrasound setting within a hospital, clinic, or office where
abdominal and/or obstetrical gynecological diagnostic ultrasound
studies are performed, and to promote quality care and patient
safety through ARDMS certification. Successful students receive
dedicated clinical and didactic training particular to the field of
diagnostic medical ultrasound allowing them to sit for registry
examinations offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers (ARDMS).
Responding to labor shortage feedback from the Maine health care
community, Kennebec Valley Community College offers the first
college-based Sonography program in the State of Maine in order to
help meet the high demand and low supply needs for entry-level
sonographers. Therefore, improving the level of health care delivery
in the State of Maine through the training of qualified sonographers
is a valuable goal for this program.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Successful graduates will be eligible to sit for the following
examinations as administered by the ARDMS: (UPI) Ultrasound Physics
and Instrumentation, (AB) Abdominal/SS, and (Ob/Gyn) Obstetrics and
Gynecology. ARDMS credentials document personal achievement of
recognized professional standards. Upon successful completion of the
Sonography program, graduates are expected to:
1) Demonstrate expertise and proficiency in a wide variety of
sonographic procedures by applying classroom theory to the actual
practice of technical skills at specified levels of competency.
2) Demonstrate developed and practiced professional work habits
and appropriate interpersonal relationships with patients, families,
and other members of the health team.
3) Demonstrate expertise in the application of ultrasound
principles, instrumentation, and scanning technique proficiency.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students may be scheduled for day, evening, and night clinical
experiences throughout the program. It is expected that students
will be able to make the necessary arrangements in order to complete
all scheduled rotations. Students must assume responsibility for
transportation and/or living costs to and from statewide clinical
sites.
Most sonography courses are Blackboard enhanced courses and some of
these courses may be offered in an online format. Ideally, students
should have off-campus Internet access in order to complete online
course activities.
Once accepted into the program, the student must:
1) Provide proof of immunization against tetanus, measles, mumps,
rubella, varicella, Hepatitis B, and a negative test for
tuberculosis. Students who do not furnish proof of adequate
immunization will be administratively dismissed from the program.
2) Hold current Basic Life Support certification (CPR for the
Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association or
Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross).
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employment in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, public
health facilities. There are various branches of specialization,
i.e., Abdomen, Ob-Gyn, Breast, Echocardiography, Vascular
technology, and Neurosonology. There are career opportunities in
education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as
education/application specialists, sales representatives, and
technical advisors.
CRITERIA FOR GRADUATION
Students must complete 54 credits in the Sonography program,
achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all courses and attain a final GPA
of 2.0 or higher.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
|
FIRST SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| DMS200 |
Principles of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
in a Patient Care Setting |
3 |
| DMS201 |
Introduction to Abdominal Sonography,
Superficial and Special Structures |
4 |
| DMS203 |
Primary Practicum |
4 |
| DMS206 |
Clinical Physics in Diagnostic Ultrasound |
3 |
|
SECOND SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| DMS202 |
Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound I |
3 |
| DMS207 |
Abdominal Techniques, Anatomy, and Pathology |
3 |
| DMS208 |
Evaluation of the Gravid and Non-Gravid Pelvis |
3 |
| DMS209 |
Intermediate Clinical Practicum |
8 |
|
SUMMER(10 WEEKS) |
|
CREDIT
HOURS |
| DMS213 |
Extra-Cranial Doppler Model and Venous Duplex Techniques |
3 |
| DMS214 |
Integrated Clinical Practicum |
7 |
|
THIRD SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| DMS215 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographic Interpretation |
3 |
| DMS216 |
Advanced Clinical Practicum |
10 |
| |
TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED FOR CERTIFICATE |
54 |
