Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Entry Level BS

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

College of Health Sciences and Education
Degree BS, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Options: BS (entry level); BS (post-certification)
Department Chair Sheryl E. Goss, MS, RT (R) (S), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RVS, FSDMS

Faculty and Staff

Sheryl Goss, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS, BS, MS College Misericordia

Karen Klimas, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, BS College Misericordia; MS Misericordia University

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.

Mission

Prepare sonographers to think critically, promote quality patient care, and stimulate curiosity for lifelong learning.

Philosophy

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. The Bachelor’s degree provides a complimentary balance between professional education and liberal arts to enhance one’s own intellect, spirituality, creativity, and a global perspective on world culture supporting the Trinity of Learning. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.

Program Goals:

The goals of the BS program are designed to align with programmatic accreditation standards and the mission of the Department and the University.

1. To prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

	Cognitive domain Demonstrate knowledge of anatomical structures and sonographic appearances. Differentiate normal from abnormal sonographic findings through knowledge of physiology and pathophysiology. Apply clinical history to sonographic examination and findings. Demonstrate application of ultrasound physics and instrumentation to optimize sonographic images. Utilize research to enhance learning.
	Psychomotor domain Possess the technical skills to produce accurate sonographic images. Evaluate images for quality. Synthesize sonographic findings and tailor examination to provide all necessary information to interpreting physician. Develop competency to independently perform sonographic examinations in the general concentration.
	Affective Domain Communicate in a holistic manner to provide patient comfort and respect for cultural differences. Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as a team member. Demonstrate professional behavior to all through integrity, ethical decision making, and communication. Demonstrate written and oral communication to educate self and others.

2. Apply knowledge and skills to succeed on national credential examinations.
   1. Score a 74% or higher on the program’s mock registry examinations.
   2. Succeed the first time in the three ARDMS certification examinations or ARRT Sonography examination.
3. Participate in activities to prepare for lifelong learning.
   1. Complete and earn five continuing medical education credits.
   2. Volunteer for a University or community event.
4. Understand global trends and issues in healthcare that may have impact on sonography practices.
   1. Demonstrate ability to locate and synthesize research to stay abreast of current trends in healthcare sonography education and practices.
   2. Compare and contrast domestic and international education and practices.
5. Appreciate similarities and differences of individuals, professions, and cultures through a liberal arts curriculum.
   1. Discover the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professions.
   2. Demonstrate respect for differences.
   3. Attend or participate in activities relating to the humanities, arts, science, and technology.

Policies

Policies specific to the sonography major are published in the DMS Program Policies and Procedures Student Handbook. Each student is expected to review the policies prior to entrance and reviewed in detail prior to start of the clinical education component.

Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Major (entry level)

All applicants must follow the University application process. Applicants to the BS entry level are expected to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a combined SAT score of 950 ( math and critical reading) on tests taken before March 2016, or a combined SAT of 1020 if taken in March 2016 or later. Applicants are expected to have taken minimum 3 years of high school math to include algebra and 2 years of high school science all with a minimum grade of “C”. High school physics is recommended.

Transfer applications to the BS entry level will follow the University’s transfer policies and will be considered based on clinical placement availability. All transfer transcripts are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.75, all prerequisite courses with a “C’ or higher, and no more than one course indicating grade replacement. Prerequisite courses are BIO 121  and BIO 122  (or BIO 211  and BIO 212 ); PHY 117 or PHY 135 ; PHL core, University Writing Seminar, and Math core.

All internal transfer students interested in pursuing the BS DMS or certificate program must submit a letter of interest to the Chair of the DMS Department no later than November 15 of the year before the desired year for consideration. For example, for consideration for the cohort beginning in Fall 2018, the letter of interest is due no later than November 15, 2017.

Misericordia University reviews individual applications carefully, and the above stated standards should be seen only as general guidelines. The Director of Admissions and individual department chairs reserve the right to exercise discretion in any admissions decision.

Progression and Retention in the BS Sonography major

1. Students must be in compliance with the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Code of Ethics and University academic integrity.
2. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 during the First Year and Sophomore years. After admission into the sonography core, the major GPA must meet a minimum of 2.5.
3. Successful completion of the Prerequisite courses with a “C’ or higher with no more than one course being grade replaced.
4. DMS coded courses in Junior and Senior year must be completed sequentially. All coded DMS courses in these five semesters must achieve a grade of 74% or higher to be retained in the program. A course grade of D or below will result in dismissal from the program. For consideration of readmission the following year, refer to department’s readmission policy located in the DMS Program Policies and Procedures Student Handbook.
5. The student who has a GPA slightly below the 2.5 in the major, may be afforded one semester of being placed on probation if the student could meet the minimum major GPA in the next semester through earning course grades above the minimum as specified above.
6. Any student who is experiencing extenuating circumstances that may affect their progression in the program after the withdrawal deadline should make an appointment with their advisor to determine whether an “I” should be taken. A student may withdraw later for medical reasons, supported by a written excuse from a physician, or for other serious circumstances, approved by the vice president of academic affairs in consultation with the course advisor. Due to the sequential nature of DMS courses, the student may not be able to re-enter into the program until the course is offered the next time.

Dismissal

Dismissal of the student from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will result if any one of the following occur:

1. The student commits a “serious” infraction of the code of ethics, or violates a program policy that states program immediate dismissal or has exhausted the code of conduct policy through verbal, written and dismissal due to violations of policies (refer to DMS Program Policies and Procedures Student Handbook). If a student is dismissed and files a grievance, they must follow the university policy on the grievance process.
2. The student fails to meet the terms of program probation.
3. The student does not earn a grade of “C-” or above in all Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses (DMS coded courses).
4. The stipulated GPA (overall & in the major) is not met.

Clinical placement and clinical education

Background Clearance

Students must meet all clinical clearance requirements prior to start of the first year and repeated prior to start of sonography core courses in junior year. Transfer students will be required to complete clinical clearance requirements prior to starting the first semester at the University. In the event of a criminal history the student will be required to follow the national credentialing agency process for determining eligibility to apply for examinations.

Health Examination

Before the student can begin the clinical experience, they must submit a health clearance form report each year they are enrolled in a clinical experience. A complete list of requirements and immunizations will be provided to all sonography majors in the spring of their sophomore year prior to start of sonography core in junior year. Students must have current health insurance. Students are responsible for the cost of the annual health examination, current health insurance and immunizations.

Placement

The sonography core courses are sequential and require completion of four semesters of clinical education by being placed at one or more of the program’s contracted clinical affiliates. While the program will strive to place students in clinical affiliates closer to their geographic regions, it is possible students may be placed up to a 90 minute radius from campus. This may require the student to secure housing in that geographic region with travel to campus for the weekend classes. Placements are determined by the Clinical Coordinator and Department Chair no later than end of the first fall semester of the sonography core with second rotation being determined no later than August 1 of the summer between junior and senior year. Clinical travel and expenses are in addition to tuition.

Program Fees

In addition to tuition, the student will be responsible for additional program fees to cover the cost of HIPAA training/certification, lab fees, clinical materials, electronic clinical records system, image storage access, ergonomic arm band, professional liability insurance and one year professional society membership.

Program fees will be charged during the Junior year (Fall, Spring, and Summer terms), and the Senior year (Fall semester only).