These are the technical standards required for our diagnostic medical sonography students.
Students will be expected to:
- Perform standard ultrasound views according to protocols taught by the program.
- Operate ultrasound equipment competently with program training.
- Attend and participate in full-day clinical rotations as assigned, and complete the minimum number of clinical hours required (1070).
- Have sufficient physical health to meet the demands of the profession.
- Routinely bend, turn, twist, reach, sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
- Use both upper and lower extremities to operate the equipment, simultaneously type with one hand and scan with the other.
- Master fine muscle control of arm and hand (required to obtain precise, detailed sonographic images). Cardiac students must have the ability to master fine muscle control of the left arm and hand since cardiac scanning is performed left-handed. Abd-Ext, OB/GYN and Vascular students must have the ability to master fine muscle control of the right arm and hand.
- Have the ability to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning.
- Have sufficient strength to lift patients of all sizes and conditions when necessary and move patients in wheelchairs and stretchers.
- Assist in lifting/sliding patients for bed-to-stretcher transfer; assist patients in moving from chair/wheelchair to bed; turn patients in bed/stretcher; assist patients in moving from bed to toilet.
- Have sufficient strength to move heavy equipment on wheels (up to approximately 500 lbs.) over long distances and in tight spaces.
- Have adequate visual acuity (with or without correction).
- Be able to discern color and B/W on the ultrasound machine monitor.
- Be capable of hearing within the normal audible range in order to perceive all exam (Doppler) information.
- Demonstrate and effectively use the basic patient care skills required of an Allied Health Professional.
- Exhibit adequate English skills both written and verbal.
- Interact and communicate proficiently with other students, instructors, patients, sonographers, medical personnel AND physicians.
- Demonstrate knowledge of all prerequisite courses.
- Learn and perform at the college level.
- Develop mastery of academic and clinical instruction as demonstrated through written and other testing.
- Demonstrate high standards of integrity, behavior, and performance.
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner during class and clinical time.
For the physical capabilities above: accepted students will provide a physician’s certification of ability.