ADMISSION CRITERIA
The Priority Deadline for Medical Sonography is March 1st. All application steps listed below must be completed prior to March 1st. Candidates who apply after the priority deadline will only be evaluated if there are remaining slots available on a rolling admissions basis.
- Follow the steps to Apply & Enroll
- Meet the Testing Requirements and complete all required transition/support courses.
- Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on the most recent academic transcript for the last 10 hours of college credit. If you do not have college credits, your cumulative grade point average will be taken from your high school transcript.
- As a SELECTIVE ADMISSIONS program, there is only one entry point into the program annually. The TEAS test is required for Medical Sonography applicants. Applications will be ranked using the Health Sciences Admissions Rubric.
- Complete ACA 111 (or equivalent course) with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the summer term prior to entering the program. Applicants who have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level work at a regionally accredited institution will receive an ACA waiver.
Those inviduals who are notified of provisional acceptance to the program must attend a mandatory orientation session and have SCC health forms completed by the appropriate medical personnel indicating the candidate is mentally and physically capable of performing the essential functions required by this profession.
Once accepted into the program, students will be required to complete an onboarding process, which will include a criminal background check and drug testing prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility refuses to allow the student to participate in clinical experiences, for any reason, the student will not be able to progress in the program. Each student completing a health science program may be required, by an external agency, to submit a criminal background check and/or drug test prior to a state or national licensing/certification board approving the graduate to sit for exams.
Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, where possible, students are encouraged to have successfully completed general education courses prior to enrolling in program specific courses: BIO 163, COM 140, ENG 111, ENG 114, MAT 143, PSY 150, and PHY 125 or PHY 110 & PHY 110A with a "C" or better. See your advisor for acceptable general education substitutes.
REQUIRED TECHNICAL STANDARDS
The following performance standards are required to perform the duties and responsibilities of a working sonographer.
Physical Requirements
- Work standing on his/her feet 80% of the time
- Use both hands, wrists, and shoulders to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning and perform fine motor skills.
- Lift more than 50 pounds routinely.
- Transport, move, and or lift patients from a wheelchair or stretcher to the examination table or patient bed, and physically assist patients into proper positions for examination.
- Push, pull, bend and stoop routinely to move and adjust sonographic equipment and perform studies.
- Use senses (vision, hearing, and touch) to adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions; distinguish audible sounds; perform eye/hand coordination skills required in sonographic examinations; and recognize changes in patient’s condition and needs.
- Work in a semi darkened room for prolonged periods of time.
- Be physically capable of carrying out all assigned duties.
- Ability to retain information learned in the classroom, lab and each clinical site
- Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment
- Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces, and lift, move, and push heavy patients and equipment.
- Ability to use both hands during each exam.
- Ability to use computer keyboards.
Mental and Intellectual Requirements
- Communicate effectively, verbally and nonverbally, with patients and other healthcare professionals to explain procedures, give instructions, and give and obtain information.
- Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence according to established standards.
- Understand and reach quickly to verbal instructions and patient needs
- View and evaluate recorded images for the purpose of identifying proper protocol, procedural sequencing, technical qualities and identification of pathophysiology.
- Apply problem solving skills to help optimize patient care and produce the best diagnostic information possible.
Emotional Requirements
- Provide physical and emotional support to the patient during sonographic procedures.
- Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick and or the injured.
- Handle stressful situations related to technical and procedural standards and patient care situations.
- Adapt to changing environments and be able to prioritize tasks.
- Project an image of professionalism.
- Demonstrate a high level of compassion for others, a motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
- Interact positively with people from all levels of society and all ethnic and religious
- Interpersonal skills allowing interaction with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
- Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form using the English language.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
CAAHEP
9355 113th St. N. 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
www.caahep.org
727.210.2350
JRC-DMS
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
www.jrcdms.org
443.973.3251
