Description

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program prepares the student to function as a medical sonographer. A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create sonograms of structures inside the human body and collaboratively work with radiologists and other specialized physicians to assist effectively toward a medical diagnosis.

Program Mission Statement

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program functions in accordance with the mission statement of Laredo College. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program strives to provide an educational experience that will produce competent entry-level medical sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Program Goals

1. To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
2. To prepare sonography professionals that function as a competent part of the healthcare team and represent the commitment to excellence that the program strives to achieve.
3. To prepare sonography professionals that demonstrate critical thinking, professional decision making, and desire for professional life-long learning.
4. Graduates will be eligible to apply for, take and pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography national examination.
5. To meet the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) Standards for program accreditation.
6. Meet the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) credentialing success rates on the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry examination.

Program Effectiveness

1. 80% of the program graduates who take the Registry exam will pass the exam on their first attempt as evidenced by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography exam results.
2. 80% of the graduates who seek employment will find it within 12 months after completing the program.
3. 80% of students who enter the program will complete it within 24 months.
4. 80% of the graduates will evaluate the program as satisfactory as evidenced by the graduate survey.
5. 80% of the employers surveyed will evaluate the graduate's performance as satisfactory as evidenced by the employer survey.
6. 80% of the students will evaluate the DMS program as adequate in teaching course content, textbooks, curriculum, in all didactic and clinical classes.

Accreditation and Certifications

Laredo College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees and certificates. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, at http://www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Laredo College. 

The Laredo College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is an ARRT-approved educational program.  Upon graduating from the program, the students can follow the Primary Eligibility Pathway to seek the ARRT(S) credential. For more information, please click here: ARRT(S)

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from the DMS Program course should refer to the DMS Student Handbook and make an appointment with the program director.

Attendance

The DMS Program follows the LC attendance policy for academic/didactic courses. All clinical education courses adhere to specific attendance requirements in order to be in compliance with accrediting agencies. Refer to the DMS Student Handbook.

Dismissal

The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the DMS Student Handbook.

For further information about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program contact the Program Director, Hortencia Gonzalez, by email at hortencia.gonzalez@laredo.edu. The offices of the Allied Health Department are located on the 3rd floor of the College of Health Sciences building, rooms B323 and B324 and the offices for the Program Director and faculty for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are located on the first floor of the College of Health Sciences building, rooms C112 and C109 at Laredo College South Campus, 5500 Zapata Hwy, Laredo, Texas 78046.

Application/Admission Process

1. Follow the application process for the Health Science Programs. Application deadline is the last Thursday in May.
2. The applicant must have  completed and passed all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before the last Thursday in May (application deadline) of the applied year: BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I, MATH (Any College level math course), PHYS 1115 Physical Science I Laboratory, and DMSO 1110 Introduction to Sonography with a grade of C or better.
3. Admission into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is based on:
   1. GPA (40%) The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater and achieve a grade of C or better on all prerequisite courses. A student who has not attended LC must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater from each academic institution attended and a grade of C or better on all prerequisite courses.
   2. HESI A2 (30%)  Entrance exam HESI Admission Test A2.
   3. Introduction to Sonography course (30%) The top 10 finalists according to GPA and HESI A2 scores will be considered for the personal interview. The top 10 finalists who score the highest on the three admission criteria (GPA, entrance exam, and Introduction to Sonography scores) will be invited to join the DMS program in the fall semester.
4. The applicant will be notified by LC's official means of communication regarding the program admission status by mid-June. The applicant who is not selected for admission into the program may reapply the next application period and complete all admission requirements may not be admitted to the program.
5. Students will be ranked based on the highest percentage points awarded, and a maximum of 10 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program.

Acceptance

A student accepted into the DMS program must submit the following prior to the first day of class (the student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures):

1. A completed Health Sciences Department Immunization Verification form that includes:
   1. Proof of immunizations (Hepatitis A (Recommended), Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Bacterial Meningitis)
   2. TB skin test or chest x-ray (every 2 years)
   3. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) shot (every 10 years)
2. American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR certification. Certification must remain current for the duration of the program.
3. A negative 10-Panel urine drug screen
4. A completed Health Sciences Department Physical Examination Form
5. Influenza vaccine (annually)
6. The Laredo College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program students are required to obtain a criminal background record on an annual basis for any student who may be placed in a clinical site that deals with the care of elderly, the care of children, and the care of the client in a medical health facility. All student applicants shall submit a negative background check (should have no criminal record) to be considered eligible for acceptance and continuation in the DMS Program. A negative criminal background check completed through www.precheck.com and from the local sheriff's office needs to be provided as stated on the Health Sciences Department Application. Documentation of a negative background must be submitted to complete the application and admission process after being accepted to the program.

Progression in the DMS Program

Complete all pre-requisite and degree plan courses with a "C" or better. Additional specific requirements may apply. Refer to the DMS Student Handbook.