Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Certificate of Achievement

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Program Code: NU096

The certificate program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) is designed to prepare students to become entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers.  This certificate is a 16-month full-time day program that provides both theoretical and clinical instruction in sonography at the Joliet Junior College main campus, at hospitals and other health care organizations in the surrounding area. The certificate program is open only to allied health professionals including but not limited to, diagnostic medical sonographers, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and registered nurses who graduated from a two-year health education program with a required clinical internship/externship.

Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly skilled professionals who provide patient services using diagnostic techniques under the supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine. Diagnostic medical sonographers perform a variety of diagnostic sonographic examinations of the abdomen, pelvis, small parts, pregnancy, superficial structures, vascular studies and other procedures.  Diagnostic medical sonographers assist physicians in collecting patient diagnosis data necessary to reach diagnostic decisions.  This profession requires the sonographer to use critical judgment and the ability to provide appropriate health care services.  Diagnostic medical sonographers provide services in a variety of medical settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices and imaging clinics where a physician is responsible for the use and interpretation of appropriate procedures.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be qualified to take the abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology and Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Program Prerequisites  In 2015, students must have the following college-level courses completed with a grade “C” or better prior to applying to the program:

1. Algebra (MATH 131), Statistics (MATH 128) or higher math course
2. General college-level physics (PHYS 100 or PHYS 110) and/or radiographic physics
3. Communication Skills (ENG 101 or ENG 102)
4. Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 250 and BIO 251)

For the most up-to-date information about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at JJC, visit www.jjc.edu/info/dms.

For more information about Diagnostic Medical Sonography and ARDMS credentials please go to: http://www.ardms.org or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Note: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses before they are eligible for graduation.