School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program provides the student with 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 determination of a diagnosis. 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,” “Obstetrics and Gynecology,” “Vascular” and “Breast” sonography. Successful completion of this exam results in attaining the RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) credential.
This program’s first term courses are offered in the fall term only. This may delay a student’s program start date. Please check with an advisor for more information.
See Recommended Sequence of Courses
The DMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
Send inquiries regarding the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography or the program, itself, to: [email protected].
Special Requirements
Program Entry Registration Screening
This is a “Coordinated Program Entry” program; students must complete a pre-registration screening process administered through the Coordinated Program Entry Office before being eligible to register for program courses.
Criminal Background
Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.
Other Compliance Requirements
Many of the health programs in HWPS require students to undergo a routine urine drug screen, provide documentation of current immunizations, have a current Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (CPR) certificate and other training prior to beginning the program or beginning clinical education, all of which, along with the criminal background check, are verified through the Office of Verification and Compliance.
Physical Requirements
Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.
Program Fees
Program fees cover costs incurred on behalf of the student for student-issued equipment, background checks, drug screens, etc.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites. (i.e. clinical courses at hospitals, internships, etc.)
Approximate Costs of this Educational Option
Financial Aid Considerations
Career Opportunities
There is currently a nationwide demand for registered sonographers. Graduates will be employed as sonographers in hospitals, physician’s offices and private sonography practices.
Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.
For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating from CNM section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.
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