Program: AS-25590

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program fosters and supports creative and positive learning experiences within an atmosphere of academic excellence and continuous improvement. Our goal is to provide every student with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to succeed as sonographers.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is the specific allied imaging modality that uses special equipment to direct high-frequency sound waves into the patient’s body. Sonographers are highlyskilled professionals who operate the equipment that collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography: Abdomen, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Echocardiography, Vascular Technology, Neurosonology, and Ophthalmology.

The DMS program provides students an organized curriculum that includes general education courses in addition to the required core courses. The program emphasizes the responsibilities of the sonographer in promoting high clinical standards within the field of sonography. These responsibilities include independent decision making and critical thinking vital in assisting physicians in their diagnosis.

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. Based upon a 40-hour work week, median annual earnings were $52,000 in 2004 (US Dept. of Labor) based upon a 40-hour work week with the potential to earn additional pay for on-call responsibilities. Sonographers are employed in hospitals, private physician’s offices, and diagnostic imaging centers. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national board exams administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) for the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential.

Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a new, limited admission program at Polk State College (PSC). The program is seeking accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Admission Criteria

The following are minimum requirements for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

1. Acceptance to PSC as a credit student with all required admission documents received by the Registrar.
2. Completion of any required college preparatory courses.
3. At time of admission, overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
4. A grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses.
5. Completion of the following prerequisite courses prior to admission into the program:

 
 
 
 

Additional Program Requirements

Admission requirements to be completed after admission into the program:

1. Physical examination and essential functions
2. Immunization and communicable disease screening
3. Drug screening
4. Current CPR certification
5. Signed Affidavit of Moral Character attesting to the non-committance of specific criminal acts.
6. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background check

The Program Director will provide information regarding the completion of these additional admission requirements with the letter of acceptance.

Admission Process

Students seeking admission into the DMS program must receive a program application from the Admissions Office at the Lakeland Campus. Applications must be submitted by August 31st of each year for a January start date. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline will prevent the student from starting in the upcoming class.

A selection committee will meet during September for evaluation of applications using the following criteria: college grade point average, number of credits completed that apply to the general education requirements for the AS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, prior health care experience related to field of study, and established residency in Polk, Highlands, or Hardee county. Letters of acceptance will be mailed before the end of September.

PSC reserves the right to make changes in the admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort will be made to communicate changes in the program to potential students.

Program Cost

The cost of the program is approximately $7,500. This cost estimate includes course fees, books, uniforms, and national registry fees.

Certification Examination

Following the completion of all requirements for graduation from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national registry exam administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will earn the credentials of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).