Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety

CONTACT INFORMATION

Program information is available from the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety office at (505) 224-4111 or Academic Advisement and Career Development (505) 224-4321 or from Program Director/Chair at (505) 224-5069.

cnm.edu/depts/hwps/progs

Program Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a four-term 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 illness. 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 Medical Sonographers in the specialty areas of “Abdomen and Superficial Structures” and “Obstetrics and Gynecology”. Successful completion of this exam results in attaining the RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) credential. The program is fully accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). 

Special Requirements

Criminal Background: 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 programs.

Drug Screen: Students are required to undergo a routine drug screening prior to starting the program. Students with a positive drug screen will not be allowed to enter the program.

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 program 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).

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 preventive lab tests in case of a needle stick or other exposure to bodily fluids.

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. Dates and times for Program Information Sessions can be obtained by calling the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety, (505) 224-4111 or on the CNM website: cnm.edu/depts/hwps/progs/allied/dms/index.php

Selection of students is based on a petition process. In order to petition, students must:

• Complete and pass the required program courses with a grade of “C” or better
• Present proof of a GPA of 2.5 or greater in the required courses
• 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 DMS students in the following order:

1. Students who have a GPA in the Required Courses of 3.0 and higher and have petitioned previously
2. New petitioners who have a GPA in the Required Courses of 3.0 and higher
3. Students who have petitioned previously and have a GPA of 2.5-3.0
4. New petitioners who have a GPA of 2.5-3.0

Each group of students is sorted by 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.

If a student is “Selected” and unable to begin the Program as planned, he/she may defer for one year and begin the Program the following January. 

Career and Educational 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.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies ) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Moving On  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

Students must meet prerequisites by placement scores or specific course work. Please see Course Descriptions for prerequisite(s) information.

See  Prerequisite Requirement Guide   for Accuplacer score equivalencies.

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