Diagnostic Medical Sonography
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
HWPS HOME INFORMATION SESSIONS PETITIONING FAQ's
Program Description
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a four (4) term associate of science degree program during which the student will attain the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. A sonographer is a health care professional who uses high-frequency sound waves as a diagnostic tool to view the human body in order to aid the physician in the diagnosis of illnesses. Students study the use of sound waves to generate images of various parts of the human body. The successful graduate will have the ability to conceptualize in 3-dimensional form. The program provides classroom didactic instruction, hands-on scanning, laboratory instruction and clinical experiences in a variety of medical facilities and outpatient diagnostic centers. Students are prepared to sit for the national board exams administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Sonographers (ARDMS) in the specialty areas of "Abdominal and Superficial Structures" and "Obstetrics and Gynecology". Successful completion of this exam results in attaining the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential. The program is fully accredited by Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Special Requirements
Students who have petitioned and been given a start date will begin the program as scheduled.
Criminal Background/Drug Screen: Students are required to undergo a state and federal criminal background check with fingerprints prior to starting the program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program; additionally any student found to have a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to register for any Allied Health or Nursing program. Students are required to undergo a routine drug screen prior to starting the program. Students with a positive drug screen will not be allowed to enter the program.
Students will be required to attend clinical rotations at sites up to 2 hours away from Albuquerque and may also be scheduled during evening and/or weekend shifts.
Physical Requirements: Students interested in the DMS Program must be in good physical and psychological health. The DMS program requires documentation of a recent health screening from a licensed health care provider confirming the ability to safely perform specific activities and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the program director at (505) 224-5069 for more information. Prior to enrollment in DMS clinical courses, students are required to provide proof of a recent physical exam, PPD, and current immunizations (including tetanus, rubella, rubeola and hepatitis B).
According to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, sonographers must be able to:
1. Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
2. Push & pull routinely
3. Bend and stoop routinely
4. Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders
5. Distinguish audible sounds
6. Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions
7. Work standing on their feet 80% of the time8. Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
9. Assist patients on and off examining tables
10. Communicate effectively with patients and other health-care professionals
11. Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence
Career Opportunities
There is currently a nationwide shortage of registered sonographers. Graduates will be employed as sonographers in hospitals, physician's offices and private sonography practices. The DMS Program currently a 100% job placement rate. Some graduates have relocated – not all placements have been in the Albuquerque metro area. Please log on to this US Bureau of Labor and Statistics website for the national occupational outlook. You will find more information on the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers website.
Fees
Program fees are published in the Schedule of Classes. The program fee covers the cost of scrubs (two sets), nametags, hospital parking permits and preventative lab tests in case of a needle stick or other exposure to bodily fluids. Students must purchase their own textbooks.
Petitioning Process
Sixteen (16) students begin the DMS Program each January. Qualified applicants must petition for entry into the program. All Prerequisite Courses and General Education Courses must be completed prior to petitioning. The petition process is subject to change. Students should plan to attend an Information Session to remain current. Information Sessions covering the petitioning process, program requirements and career opportunities are scheduled regularly. Selection of students is based on a petition process. In order to petition, students must first:
1. Complete and pass the Required Program Courses with a grade of "C" or better.
2. Present proof of a GPA of 2.5 or greater in the Required Program Courses
3. Complete the WorkKeys Assessment Tests in required program courses (Reading for Information, Locating Information and Applied Mathematics) with a score of five or better.
Consideration is given to prospective students in the following order:
1. Students who have a GPA in the Required Courses of 3.0 or higher, and have previously petitioned.
2. New petitioners who have a GPA in the Required Courses of 3.0 or higher.
3. Students who have petitioned previously and have a GPA of 2.5-3.0.
4. New petitioners who have a GPA 2.5-3.0.
Each group of students is sorted by the date on which the student declared DMS as their major at CNM. Sixteen students will be selected to begin the program each January. Five alternates are also notified in the event a selected student is unable to begin the program.
Qualified applicants must follow a selection procedure in which specific academic information is submitted as a packet to the Director of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. You must provide all documentation in order to complete the “Petition Packet”, then submit the packet to the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety Support Center, Main Campus, Jeannette Stromberg Building, Room 310 or the South Valley Campus located at 5816 Isleta Blvd., SW.
PETITION PACKETS:
Petition forms to be included with the required documentation you provide creates your petition packet. Petition forms will be available from the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety Support Center on Main Campus (JS 310) or South Valley Campus at the start of the fall term. Required documentation for petitioning will be accepted until mid-October at either location.
You must have the following Arts & Sciences classes successfully completed (grade "C" or better) before you petition. Combined GPA in these courses must equal 2.5 or greater.
ENGLISH 1101
MATH 1315
PHYSICS 1510/1592
BIOLOGY 2211/2292
COMMUNICATION 2221
BIOLOGY 2310/2392
HUMANITIES or SOCIAL/BEHAVIORIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE (see CNM Course Catalog)
REQUIRED PETITIONING DOCUMENTS
The following documents will create your petitioning packet:
1. Student copy (unofficial) of CNM application form (or change of major form) that declares DMS as your major.
2. Student copy (unofficial) of transcripts that show completion of General Education (Arts & Science) courses for the Associate of Science Degree with grades of “C” or better.
3. Combined GPA in Required Program Courses must equal 2.5 or greater.
4. Documentation of CNM GPA: If you are transferring credit from another institution, you must complete at least one course for credit at CNM in order to have a GPA here at CNM.
5. Transfer Equivalency Worksheet: If you are transferring courses from another college, have your official transcripts mailed to the CNM Records Office. You will receive from the CNM Registrar a list of the courses which will transfer for credit to CNM. Do this immediately to allow for mailing and processing.
6. Documentation of completion of the following “Workeys Assessment Tests” with a score of 5 or greater: Reading for Information, Location Information and Applied Mathematics.
7. High School Diploma or GED
8. Preference will be given to students who:
a. have a combined GPA in the “Required Program Courses” of 3.0 or higher
b. have petitioned in a previous year
Once the above requirements are met, selection will be based upon the date on which you declare DMS as your major at CNM. All students who successfully complete the petition process will be sorted according to this date. The first 16 students from this list will be selected to enter the program beginning each January. An additional 6 students will be selected as “Alternates” in the event a selected student cannot enter as planned. Any student not selected must petition again the following year to indicate their continued interest in the DMS Program. There will not be a waiting list.
Contact Information
Additional courses are available to enhance this program of study. For more information regarding the DMS program, please contact the program director, Saul Carrasco 224-4177 or scarrasco@cnm.edu
