Sonography

The Diagnostic Medical Imaging in Sonography (DMS) Associate Degree Program provides students with didactic, laboratory, and clinical education/experience in preparation for a health career as a Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonographer. The graduate will demonstrate competency to meet registry requirements, deliver compassionate patient care, and function as an integral member of the healthcare team with competence and confidence. Program policies and procedures have been designed to meet or exceed those established by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Work and Employment

The program will train graduates for jobs related to the Health Science Career Cluster within the Diagnostic Services pathway. Specific occupational titles will include Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Sonographer, Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, Ultrasound Technologist, and Ultrasound Tech.

Special Considerations

Prior to completion of the program, the student becomes eligible to sit for multiple national registry exams provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). This program will prepare students for the following registry exams: Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI), Abdomen (AB), Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), and Vascular Technology (VT). Satisfactory results on the exams will provide the student/graduate with the following credentials - 'Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) and 'Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)'. The earning of such credentials prior to employment or within a specific time frame indicated by the employer is necessary to work in the field.  The SPI exam can be taken as soon as the Physics and Instrumentation courses are successfully completed during the program. The specialty exams AB, OB/GYN, and VT can be taken 60 days prior to program completion under the ARDMS Paperless Application Program. The college has followed the standards and guidelines set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Admission Requirements:

Complete the following with a “C” or higher:

• BIO 109 Human Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 Sem hrs.
• MAT 112 Quantitative Literacy - 3-4 Sem hrs.
  OR MAT 121 College Algebra or higher as options (excluding MAT 110 MAT 111, MAT 115, and MAT 240)
• PHY 175 Introduction to Physics (or higher) - 4-5 Sem hrs.

Admissions Procedures

Complete the following with a “C” or higher:

• NRS 116 Med Terminology for Health Careers - 3 Sem hrs.
• DMS 198 Intro to Pathophysiology for Sonographer - 1 Sem hr.

Program Requirements

• Students who wish to apply to the Sonography program MUST attend a Sonography informational meeting prior to application. Meetings are held once a month. Please call Academic Advising at 815-835-6354 or Health Professions at 815-835-6374 to register for the informational meeting.
• Assessment Technologies Inc. (ATI) valid printout for the Health Occupations Basic Entrance test (TEAS). Go to www.atitesting.com to set up an account for testing at SVCC. After the account has been established, contact the SVCC Testing Center (815-835-6530) to schedule the test date. A test fee is required.
• Students MUST meet with the Sonography advisor in order to create a valid progression plan for program application.
• Submit required paperwork including program application, TEAS score, two recommendation forms and the progression plan to the Office of Health Professions.

Application Deadlines

• Priority Deadline-June 1 (for in-district or approved cooperative students) As Space Allows - August 1.
  Bonus: Please refer to the admissions handbook for additional information regarding bonus points.
• The Sonography program admits 10 -14 students per year. Once accepted, this program takes two years to complete. (6 semesters – fall, spring, summer, fall, spring, and summer). Applicants must be a SVCC district resident or resident of a cooperative Illinois community college district to apply.
• Please note that successful completion of a course indicates a grade of C or higher for the sonography program.
• A "point system" will be utilized to evaluate all qualified applicants. Applicants will be awarded points for completion of specific general education and program admission requirements. These are explained in the Sonography Admission Handbook given out at the informational meeting.

Out-of-District Application

Applicants must be a SVCC district resident or resident of a cooperative Illinois community college district to apply.

Accreditation

The college has followed the standards and guidelines set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).