Sonography

This course introduces the history and evolution of imaging technology. It also covers what is expected in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.  Emphasis is placed on role and scope of practice, and learning beginning ultrasound skills. The skills can include patient assessment, medical aseptic technique, proper body mechanics, transferring patients safely, medical emergencies, professional ethics, effective communication, medico-legal ethics, and learning  sonography scanning techniques to be successful in the field of diagnostic imaging. Students will make evidence-based decisions by using hands-on demonstration with patient care, and through oral competency.

The course is designed to present the student with the principles of diagnostic ultrasound physics and the importance of its application.  Students will learn about instrumentation, tissue interactions, biological effects, artifacts in imaging, and quality control methods. This course presents doppler principles, scanning techniques, transducer selection, and the need for intensity and power considerations for optimal imaging.

The course provides students with a comprehensive review of the structure and function of the abdomen.  This includes normal and abnormal anatomy identified with sonographic imaging along with various disease states/disorders that can impact each organ. This can include other imaging modalities such as vascular, muscles,  and ligaments located in the adult abdomen. This course also focuses on ultrasound scanning skills.

This course provides a laboratory learning experience that allows students to connect theory to practice in the clinical setting. The student will learn skills necessary to do scanning, understand use of protocols, ways to avoid imaging artifacts, proper positioning of patients, terminology, and how to properly present a patient to a physician (mock presentation) for organs found in the abdomen, abdominal aorta, pancreas, biliary system, and liver

This course integrates relational structure, function, normal and abnormal variants, and pathology related to a non- gravida female pelvis and first trimester fetus with  imaging modalities of the typical and atypical  sonographic  appearances of the non-gravida and first trimester fetus. Students will learn about early stages of pregnancy along with potential complications for mother and embryo/fetus. Also included are scanning skills to detect and visualize the embryo/fetus, along with using the transabdominal and transvaginal/endovaginal approach.

This course provides a laboratory learning experience that allows students to connect theory to practice in the clinical setting. The student will learn skills necessary to do scanning, understand use of protocols, ways to avoid imaging artifacts, proper positioning of patients, terminology, and how to properly present a patient to a physician (mock presentation) for imaging modalities of the organs, vascular, and other structures of the non-gravida and first trimester fetus.

This course covers cross-sectional anatomy of the male and female body. Students learn anatomical terminology, anatomical relationships of organs, vascular structures, along with body planes and quadrants. Students also learn positioning, interconnections, visual characteristics, scanning techniques/protocols, anatomical recognition, and pathology integral to the field of sonography.

This course is a detailed study of normal and pathological superficial structures as related to scanning techniques, patient history and laboratory data, transducer selection, and scanning protocols. In addition to the normal healthy structures, it will also cover some disease states that impact each organ. Organs included in this class will be thyroid, breast, testicle, prostate, chest wall, and images modalities for the fetus in the second and third trimester.

This course provides a laboratory hands on learning experience allowing students to hone in on competencies for performing sonographic assessment of the thyroid, breast, testicle, prostate, chest wall, and neonatal head and spine.  Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate competencies in scanning methods, procedural guidelines, ways to enhance imaging, patient positioning for comfort during procedures, medical terminology, technical assessment form, and simulated discussions with physicians. 

Builds on the knowledge gained in Abdominal I, by enhancing the student’s knowledge and understanding of the normal structure, functions, and the anomalies and disease states within the vascular systems of the liver, urogenital region, adrenal glands, spleen, gastrointestinal track, and the pediatric abdomen.  Students will become familiar with clinical procedures and diagnostic exams related to each organ system.

This course provides a laboratory hands on learning experience allowing students to hone in on competencies for performing sonographic assessment of the liver, urogenital region, adrenal glands, spleen, gastrointestinal track, and the pediatric abdomen.  Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate competencies in scanning methods, procedural guidelines, ways to enhance imaging, patient positioning for comfort during procedures, medical terminology, technical assessment form, and simulated discussions with physicians.

Builds on the knowledge gained in OB/GYN I, by enhancing the student’s knowledge and understanding of the normal structure, functions, and the anomalies and disease states within the gravid female pelvis. This course incorporates imaging modalities for the fetus in the second and third trimesters.  Students will become familiar with fetal growth and development, and potential complications for the mother and fetus. Students will learn  clinical procedures and diagnostic exams related to management of the obstetric patient.

This course provides a laboratory hands on learning experience allowing students to hone in on competencies for performing sonographic assessment of the second and third trimester obstetric patient. Students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate competencies in scanning methods/techniques, procedural guidelines/protocols, fetal biometrics, and identification of normal fetal anatomy in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.  

This course integrates relational structure, function, normal and abnormal variants, and pathology related to imaging modalities of the peripheral vascular system, neck, and head. Students will learn principles, rationale, practical applications, performing the procedures,  and interpretation of ultrasound of the carotid, transcranial, and venous tests. Students will also learn about hemodynamics, interpretation of normal and aberrant color flow patterns, characteristics of spectral Doppler flow, and velocity criteria. Students will learn about surgical interventions, and understand the rationale for protocols and diagnostic procedures integral for cerebrovascular evaluations.

This course provides a laboratory hands on learning experience allowing students to hone in on competencies for using  ultrasonic equipment needed to monitor blood flow in the cerebrovascular arteries in addition to the circulatory veins in the upper and lower extremities. Students will also be taught about scanning protocols necessary for the carotid duplex exam along with lower and upper venous exams. Students will demonstrate skills necessary to optimize images, identify normal anatomy, and use the principles of physics while correctly positioning patients for the exam.

This course builds on the foundations and clinical instruction in abdominal, obstetrics, gynecologic, and vascular scanning protocols. Topics include, patient care, role and responsibilities of the sonographer in the health care setting, family interactions, and how to use various/special types of ultrasound equipment. Students under the guidance and supervision of the designated clinical instructor will perform quality sonographic images/procedures/exams and learn how to use guidelines/parameters to evaluate the images they perform. This practicum requires the student to spend two  eight hour days a week with the designated clinical instructor in an approved ultrasound department. The student will be provided learning objectives for the practicum and will be evaluated by a competency based rubric. 

This course covers the normal pattern of blood flow,  irregular blood flow, symptoms, causes and treatment for poor circulation. It discusses the diagnostic techniques/workup to identify vascular disorders in the legs, arms, and abdominal region. Students will learn how to assess normal arterial flow/abnormal flow in the upper and lower extremities, indirect arterial testing, evaluation of bypass grafts, dialysis fistulas, and of the vascular system in the abdomen.

This course provides a laboratory hands on learning experience allowing students to hone in on competencies for using  ultrasonic equipment needed to perform vascular studies of the peripheral vascular system.  Students will learn protocols, indications for the exam, and demonstrate skills necessary to optimize images. Studies discussed in this course include, indirect arterial, upper and lower extremity arterial, mesenteric, and complete abdominal doppler studies. 

This course builds on the foundations and clinical instruction  in Clinical Practicum I regarding abdominal, obstetrics, gynecologic, and vascular scanning protocols. Topics include, patient care, role and responsibilities of the sonographer in the health care setting, family interactions, and how to use various/special types of ultrasound equipment. Students under the guidance and supervision of the designated clinical instructor will perform quality sonographic images/procedures/exams and learn how to use guidelines/parameters to evaluate the images they perform. This practicum requires the student to spend three  eight hour days a week with the designated clinical instructor in an approved ultrasound department. The student will be provided learning objectives for the practicum and will be evaluated by a competency based rubric. 

This course helps the student advance critical thinking and reasoning skills  to prepare and pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (ARDMS) exam. It will cover comprehensive materials/lectures/clinical experiences found in the curriculum.  Varying techniques such as mock registry exams,  computerized testing, and review of test taking skills will be used to assess the student’s readiness. 

This course builds on the foundations and clinical instruction  in Clinical Practicum II regarding abdominal, obstetrics, gynecologic, and vascular scanning protocols. Topics include, patient care, role and responsibilities of the sonographer in the health care setting, family interactions, and how to use various/special types of ultrasound equipment. Students under the guidance and supervision of the designated clinical instructor will perform quality sonographic images/procedures/exams and learn how to use guidelines/parameters to evaluate the images they perform. This practicum requires the student to spend four eight hour days a week with the designated clinical instructor in an approved ultrasound department. The student will be provided learning objectives for the practicum and will be evaluated by a competency based rubric.