Diagnostic Medical Sonography

School of Allied Health and Exercise Studies
College of Professional & Technical Studies
Davis Career Center
740-245-7301 office; 740-245-7440 fax

Mission Statement

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program provides a non-discriminatory student-centered educational environment for the growth and professional development of sonographers with superior competency in multiple sonographic specialties.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is the non-invasive use of high frequency sound waves to image anatomic structures within the body. Sonographers are specially trained individuals who work under the close supervision of radiologists, perinatologists, cardiologists, and vascular surgeons in order to assist them in determining a medical diagnosis and treatment plan for patients. The sonographer is responsible for acquiring images and/or videos of normal and abnormal structures and functions and reporting their findings to the appropriate supervising physician. Upon graduation, sonographers may be employed by hospitals, private physician practices, diagnostic imaging centers, research departments, and ultrasound machine manufacturers.

The DMS Program offers two majors, General Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography. Both majors require general studies coursework to be completed concurrently with sonography courses and clinical rotations. The general coursework includes math, English, and the sciences. The core sonography courses include abdominal, obstetrical and gynecological courses (General Sonography major) or cardiac and vascular courses (Cardiovascular Sonography major), as well as sonographic physics and instrumentation.

Upon completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, graduates have the option to complete the Bachelor Degree Program that is also offered by the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Completion of the bachelor’s degree would consist of the student completing the core sonography courses of the opposite major as their associate’s degree in the third year and fourth year as well as coursework that will prepare the student for advanced careers in the field of sonography. The DMS Programs will prepare graduates to sit for the national registry examinations offered by the ARDMS, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Goals

To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
To prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
To prepare competent entry-level vascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Accreditation

* Both DMS associate degree programs and the bachelor’s degree program are approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Both DMS associate degree programs are accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Information on accreditation and CAAHEP can be found at www.caahep.org.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Prospective applicants to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program should begin by applying for general admission/acceptance status to the University of Rio Grande, which can be done by logging onto www.rio.edu and completing the online admissions application. There is no admissions fee for applying online. Identify your “intended major field of study” as Allied Health - Associate Degree (2 year). You must also complete the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program online application prior to February 1 of the year for which you are applying, which is available online at www.rio.edu/nursingandalliedhealth/diagnostic-medical-sonography/. Students are strongly encouraged to complete DMS job shadowing prior to application.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that the University has a copy of his/her high school transcript and/or college transcript, and the School of Allied Health online DMS Program Application prior to February 1of the year in which you apply, when the selection process will begin.

Admission Requirements:

Students must meet all University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College admission requirements.
One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, and algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” before a student will be considered for admittance into the DMS program.
Supplementary applications are good for one year only. After students are selected for the next academic year, all applications will be discarded. Students not accepted into the program must reapply each year.
Only students who are officially admitted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program can take the Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses.
Only students who have successfully completed the Associate Degree Program or its equivalent and have been recommended by DMS faculty based on academic and clinical performance will be admitted to the Bachelor Degree Program.

Academic Requirements:

One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, and algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C”.
High school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
The college cumulative GPA will be used in place of the high school cumulative GPA for all students who have attended college for a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Students with GEDs must successfully complete 12 credit hours as a full-time student or successfully complete 12 credit hours in consecuctive semesters (excluding summers) of general courses required in the DMS program.
Students will be required to sit for the HESI A2 exam after the February 1 application deadline. Qualifying students will be scheduled for the HESI A2 by the DMS Program Director after their application has been received.

Health Requirements:

Vision Capabilities: Normal or corrected refraction within the range of 20/20 to 20/60; adequately view sonograms, including identifying 16 shades of gray and color distinctions.
Hearing Capabilities: Possess normal or corrected hearing abilities within 0-45 decibel range.
Motor Capabilities: Maneuver sonographic equipment without assistance; assist in lifting patients using proper body mechanics; stand for extended periods of time; walk long distances without assistance while maneuvering sonographic equipment or transporting patients; type with one hand while scanning with the other.
Language Capabilities: Communicate verbally with patient and other medical personnel; it is recommended that a second language is possessed or attempted.
Mental Capabilities: Think and act quickly in emergency situations; cope with stress; comprehend daily work activities; understand all pathology needed to present case to physician.

Other Requirements:

(Once accepted to the DMS Program)

Students must consent to a professional and confidential background check that includes but is not exclusive to social security number verification, criminal search, violent sexual offender and predator registry search, and employment verification. The background search will be initiated upon acceptance into the DMS program.
Students must consent to and pay for random drug testing as required by various clinical affiliations.
Current CPR certification (Students accepted into the DMS program will take CPR as a class during the first spring semester of the program.)

Admission Procedures:

Step One:
To be considered for admission into the DMS program, students must have met all of the above requirements. URG/RGCC must have a copy of your high school and/or college transcripts, and the School of Allied Health online DMS Program application by February 1 of the year in which the student would like to enter the DMS program’s second year.

Acceptance into the DMS program is very competitive. The number admitted into the program will be determined by the number of clinical sites available. Applicants will be objectively scored to determine the top candidates. Cumulative GPA, and HESI A2 scores will account for 50% of the admission criteria, based on the following point system:

GPA (Cumulative):	3.8 - 4.0 = 20
	3.4 - 3.7 = 15
	3.1 - 3.3 = 10
	2.8 - 3.0 = 5

HESI A2 Scores:	80-100% = 20
	60-79% = 15
	50-59% = 10
	49% and below = 5

Meeting all of the above requirements does not mean automatic admission/acceptance into the program nor does it guarantee an interview.

Step Two:
The applicants with the highest scores will be scheduled for an interview, which will count for 50% of the admission criteria. The interview process will consist of a selection committee who will interview and rank these top applicants. The selection committee’s decision is based upon the submitted academic achievements and the interview process to determine who is most likely to succeed in the program.

The interview process will take place in March of each year. After the interview process, applicants will be selected for the DMS program that will begin Fall Semester.

Students selected for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program must, prior to the beginning of clinical classes:

Submit complete childhood immunization and booster records.
Submit proof of varicella zoster live-virus vaccine or reliable history of varicella (chicken pox) or serologic evidence of immunity.
Submit proof of receiving Hepatitis B vaccine series.
Submit a completed DMS Physical Examination and Medical History form. Form will be provided.
Submit proof of CPR training.

DMS Academic Progression Requirements:

All DMS courses must be taken in sequential order.
The student must receive a minimum of a C (75%) or better in all required DMS Program courses to continue program.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout the program.
Students must successfully complete the associate degree program in order to be admitted into the bachelor’s degree program.

Failure to meet any of the above Diagnostic Medical Sonography requirements will result in the student’s dismissal from the program. The student may reapply to the program the following calendar year.

DMS Graduation Requirements

Meet all Rio Grande graduation requirements
Earn a minimum “C” grade in all required DMS courses

Additional Information:

Information about admission policies, transfer credit, tuition and fees, refund policies, academic calendars, academic policies, graduation requirements, and student services can be found in the URG/RGCC Course Catalog, which is available online.

For further information, individuals interested in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are advised to contact the DMS Program Director, Megan Mullins at 740-245-7139 or mmullins@rio.edu.

Office of Admissions
University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande
Community College
P.O. Box 500
Rio Grande, Ohio 45674-0500

Applicants may also contact the University by telephone at 740-245-5353 or 1-800-282-7201 (Toll free in OH, WV, KY and PA) or by fax 740-245-7260.

To view and/or print a copy of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Fact Sheet, which includes a suggested course sequence, and/or the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program application, visit the program’s website at https://www.rio.edu/nursingandalliedhealth/diagnostic-medical-sonography/

The University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College reserves the right to change the admission requirements or policies. All requirements will be periodically updated.

Programs

Associate of Applied Science

Bachelor of Science

Courses

Diagnostic Medical Sonography