Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) Program
What is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer / an Ultrasound Technician?
Do you like to investigate mysteries, searching for clues that will help you solve the puzzle? Put your inquisitive mind to work in a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Sometimes called ultrasound technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers play an integral role in the medical team.
As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you’ll learn terminology, equipment, techniques and protocols utilized in gynecology and obstetrics, vascular and abdominal and small parts ultrasounds and put those skills to use searching out visuals that differentiate healthy areas from unhealthy ones.
Discover a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer and enjoy work that is interesting and varied.
- In order to be eligible for consideration, diagnostic medical sonographer program applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree in any major.
or
- Have graduated from a single two-year allied health education program that is patient-care related.
Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to: diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant and registered nurse.
and
- Must pass admissions testing requirements. Pima Medical Institute offers the following college level general education courses which must be completed prior to program acceptance: Anatomy & Physiology, Communications, Math and Physics.
Credit for previous education will be considered.
- Hold a bachelor's degree in any major.
What is the difference between the Radiologic Technologist Program and the Ultrasound Program?
Radiography and sonography are similar fields. They both take images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. Professionals in both careers primarily work in hospitals, but can also find jobs in outpatient care centers and medical and diagnostic labs.
The main difference between the two is the type of equipment and technology used to obtain images and diagnose ailments.
Radiography uses radiation to obtain images and use X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT or CAT (computerized axial tomography), PET (positron emission tomography) and mammography machines.
Sonography uses high-frequency sound waves and handheld transducers to obtain images. Most commonly employed in obstetrics and gynecology, sonographers can also specialize in abdomen, breast, vascular technology and neurosonography, among others.
Certificate Program
Students in Pima Medical Institute’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program receive information related to anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, ultrasound scanning techniques and protocols, the sonographer’s scope of practice, medical terminology, patient care, medical communications, and professional medical ethics.
Courses:
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 210 | Abdominal & Small Parts Ultrasound Imaging | 96 | 6.0 | |||
| DMS 210L | Abdominal & Small Parts Ultrasound Imaging Lab | 124 | 4.0 | |||
| DMS 215 | Fundamentals of Sonography | 20 | 1.0 | |||
| Sequence I Total | 116 | 124 | 11.0 | |||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 220 | Obstetrics & Gynecology Ultrasound Imaging | 96 | 6.0 | |||
| DMS 220L | Obstetrics & Gynecology Ultrasound Imaging Lab | 124 | 4.0 | |||
| DMS 225 | Patient Care for Sonographers | 20 | 1.0 | |||
| Sequence II Total | 116 | 124 | 11.0 | |||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 230 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound Imaging | 96 | 6.0 | |||
| DMS 230L | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound Imaging Lab | 124 | 4.0 | |||
| DMS 235 | Patient / Sonographer Interaction | 20 | 1.0 | |||
| Sequence III Total | 116 | 124 | 11.0 | |||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 240 | Physical Principles & Instrumentation of Ultrasound | 96 | 6.0 | |||
| DMS 240L | Physical Principles & Instrumentation of Ultrasound Lab | 124 | 4.0 | |||
| DMS 245 | Professional Aspects of Sonography | 20 | 1.0 | |||
| Sequence IV Total | 116 | 124 | 11.0 | |||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 250 | Clinical Practicum I | 480 | 10.5 | |||
| Sequence V Total | 480 | 10.5 | ||||
| Course # | Course | Theory | Lab | Extern | Credits | |
| DMS 260 | Clinical Practicum II | 480 | 10.5 | |||
| Sequence VI Total | 480 | 10.5 | ||||
| PROGRAM TOTALS | 464 | 496 | 960 | 65.0 | ||
Job Outlook
As ultrasound imaging technology evolves, it will be used by medical facilities as a substitute for procedures that are costly, invasive, or expose patients to radiation. The use of sonography will continue to increase as patients, when given the option, choose to avoid exposure to radiation or undergo invasive procedures. Due to this increase in use, and the growing older population who will need diagnosis of medical conditions, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow 44 percent nationally through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.*
Program Length
Approximately 1 year, 5 months
For more detailed information on Pima Medical Institute's Diagnostic Medical Sonography program specifics and financing, please visit your local campus below.
Houston, Texas
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
