Certificate Program / 116 Quarter Credit Hours
74 weeks/1880 Clock Hours with 900hours of Clinical Externship
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Medical Career Institute is not programmatically accredited at this time. Therefore, enrolling students need to refer to credentialing agency requirements in order to check credentialing exam eligibility. The program is designed to prepare the graduate to become skilled entry-level ultrasound technicians and work effectively in the health care environment. It includes well balanced on-campus classroom hours, on-campus (work-simulated) imaging laboratory component and off-campus integrated patient care clinical experience and clinical externship. Clinical sites include hospitals, imaging centers and doctor’s offices.
- Teach courses in terminology, anatomy, physiology, math, algebra, law, patient needs, patient care concepts, physics, pathophysiology and sonographic appearance of normal and abnormal organs.
- Providing clinical activities within on-campus imaging laboratory that includes knowledge and skills of scanning techniques, imaging protocols and usage and maintenance of sensitive ultrasound equipment.
- Performing entry level ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, small parts, and vascular systems.
- Obtaining, reviewing and integrating pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data
- Providing students with off-campus clinical externship experience that includes a supervised hands-on training (requiring competencies logs and evaluations) at clinical sites.
At the completion of the Program the diligent student will be:
Employment:
Many
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are employed in
hospitals, imaging centers, ambulatory centers,
specialty medical offices, and doctor’s offices. Their
broad educational background plus specialized focus,
allows sonographers to function in a number of diverse
areas in their field. Some sonographers are contract
employees and travel to healthcare facilities in an area
or work with mobile imaging providers and travel to
provide service in areas that do not have access to such
services. Number of sonographers with necessary
experience will become instructors and preceptors. For
expected salary please refer to web site:
www.salary.com
Working conditions:
Ultrasound Sonographers work in clean, cool,
controlled and quiet environments. They usually work in
darken rooms, but they also may perform procedures at
patient bedsides. Sonographers may well be required
to stand for long periods of time, and they may have to
lift or turn disable patients. Some Sonographers are
contracted employees and travel to healthcare facilities
in an area or work with mobile imaging providers and
travel to provide service in the area that do not have
access to such service.
Most ultrasound technicians work a regular 40-hour week: although they may be
"Part-time", work nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis
or per Diem depending on the facility.