Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Accreditation

Idaho State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU).

Overview

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to facilitate the development of professional diagnostic medical sonographers who have acquired the technical skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill the needs required in the medical imaging setting. The sonographer plays a vital role in the health care team. Due to the rapid growth of technology in the health care setting, there is an increased demand for qualified personnel.

Philosophy

Idaho State University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program was developed with the philosophy that didactic education and clinical experience, which includes “hands on,” should happen together for continuity during learning. Therefore, during the entire program, the student learns in the laboratory setting and applies those acquired skills in the clinical setting. This happens on a weekly basis. Furthermore, in the classroom, students acquire the theoretical information necessary to perform as sonographers. The next step involves laboratory experiences where the opportunity to apply technological skills is acquired by using phantoms and simulations. Students then progress and perfect their skills by working with sonographers in a clinical environment. Additionally, several of the classes taught in the program focus on specialized areas of sonographic imaging, such as pediatrics, echocardiology, and perinatology and are taught by experts in their respective fields. This is atypical of most Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs and is a unique feature that sets the program apart from other programs. Our philosophy is that students who learn from experts become experts. When graduation approaches, students are ready to enter the profession confidently.

Mission

The mission of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is to provide students with both the academic and technical foundations to competently and safely perform sonography exams and procedures, to prepare qualified diagnostic medical sonographers who will ethically respond to the needs of patients with technical competence and compassion, and to assume a vital professional role as a medical team member.

Core Values

The Radiographic Science Program is committed to the following core values:

• Academics – promoting excellence in all academic endeavors.

• Knowledge – recognizing the significance of new knowledge in a profession that is predisposed to change while maintaining traditional values and emphasizing the needs of the patient.

• Dedication – helping meet the statewide and regional needs by providing access to quality education to prospective students.

• Community – helping meet the needs of the community in the health care setting by providing competent, qualified sonographers who are eligible upon graduation to sit for the national certification examination in diagnostic medical sonography sponsored by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Certificate Program

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Idaho State University offers a certificate program.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is an undergraduate, 3 or 4 consecutive semesters (depending on the track chosen) beginning in the summer. To qualify for the program, applicants must first be graduates of a radiography program and currently registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (or be students in their final semester of a radiography program). During the first semester of the program student takes introductory sonography courses based in general imaging procedures and sonographic principles and instrumentation. During the next two or three semesters (depending on the track chosen), the student studies and practices the clinical application of sonography in the university laboratory and at affiliated hospitals and clinics. The graduate is eligible to take the national examination for certification administered by the ARDMS.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to develop the technical skills and knowledge necessary for the student to satisfactorily function as a sonographer. Learning experiences enable the student to demonstrate competency in the technical aspect of the profession as well as human relations. The program further seeks to develop student interest in the professional societies and provides methodology to maintain competency upon graduation.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to work as a sonographer in a hospital, clinic, or private office and effectively perform his/her duties with patients in a responsible, ethical, and professional manner. Because of the rapid growth of the medical field, there is a need for well-trained sonographers.

Academic Standards

A grade of “C-” or better is required in all prerequisite and program specific courses. A student who fails to achieve a minimum of a “C-” grade in a course designated Radiographic Science (RS) will be dismissed from the program and prohibited from taking any further courses with the RS designation until the course(s) in question has/have been completed with (a) minimum grade(s) of “C-.”

The student is required to reapply to the program, in writing, at least one (1) month prior to the first day of classes of the semester in which readmission is sought. Additional details regarding readmission can be found in the current  Diagnostic Medical Sonography Student Handbook.