Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Midwestern Career College, USA

Midwestern Career College’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to prepare students with the general education, applied knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required for entry-level positions in the diagnostic medical sonography field.

What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

Diagnostic medical sonography utilizes high-frequency sound waves that produce images of organs, tissues and blood flow inside the body that help doctors diagnose patient illness. Sonographers typically work closely with patients and radiologists in health-care settings, including hospitals, diagnostic medical centers, mobile ultrasound companies, medical clinics, and physician’s offices.

The diagnostic medical sonographer utilizes medical ultrasound techniques to gather sonographic data used to diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases. Typical tasks include registering patients, setting up appointments, operating the systems and performing ultrasound procedures.

Coursework includes routine clinical procedures, patient care, equipment handling and operation, as well as a clinical externship needed to train students for entry-level sonographer positions.

What Does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Do?

Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:

• Prepare patients for procedures by taking their medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
• Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
• Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
• Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
• Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images, and identify other diagnostic information
• Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
• Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Program Objectives

• To provide education and training to students so they possess the knowledge and skills required for employment as entry-level sonographer
• Provide individuals with didactic and hands-on lab education regarding the clinical skills in patient care, medical imaging procedures, patient positioning techniques, scanning principles, protocols and procedures
• Prepare students to take and pass either the ARDMS or ARRT certification examinations
• Prepare students to perform effectively as skilled allied health professionals with skills needed to meet the demand for quality employees