Career Information
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a skilled professional who uses equipment producing high-frequency sound waves to create diagnostic images and data that help health care professionals diagnose patients with disease. Ultrasound imaging is used on many parts of the body, including the abdomen, heart, blood vessels, and the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. When determining normal and abnormal findings, the sonographer must demonstrate sectional anatomy through transducer manipulation. The sonographer uses independent judgment in recognizing the need to extend the scope of the study according to the diagnostic findings. These professionals participate in the reading sessions with physicians, contributing technical and professional knowledge and observation to the final diagnostic impression. The sonographer spends extended time with the patient obtaining a thorough history of symptoms, explaining the exam, answering questions, and performing the exam. He or she must also recognize emergency patient care situations and institute lifesaving first aid when necessary. Extended patient contact and added professional responsibility are only a couple of the many rewards found in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET (29-2032.00 - Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) for additional career information.
Program Information
Each of the radiation sciences diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) degree tracks consist of two professional programs—DMS in general and vascular sonography or DMS in cardiac and vascular sonography. Each of these three-year programs is selective and competitive; acceptance is not guaranteed. Students must satisfy all UI admission requirements, complete all prerequisites, and be accepted into the diagnostic medical sonography professional program following an application and selection process.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography in General and Vascular Sonography
The diagnostic medical sonography program in general and vascular sonography provides a multispecialty education in obstetrical, abdominal, pediatric, and vascular sonography (ultrasound imaging). Students learn about sonographic imaging and evaluation, hemodynamics and Doppler evaluation, sonography equipment, sectional anatomy, pathology, patient care, medical ethics, and quality assurance methods. They become proficient in using sonographic imaging equipment and in performing obstetrical and gynecological, abdominal, pediatric, and vascular sonographic procedures, including invasive procedures, emergency exams, and 3-D imaging. They also participate in supervised clinical education. Elective course available in breast sonography.
Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification exams in diagnostic medical sonography in the specialty areas of obstetrics and gynecology, abdomen, and vascular technology.
Students typically apply to this three-year program during their first year and begin it in fall of their sophomore year. Application deadline is January 15. Up to twelve students are accepted into this track each year.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography in Cardiac and Vascular Sonography
The diagnostic medical sonography program in cardiac and vascular sonography provides a multispecialty education in cardiac (echocardiography) and vascular sonography (ultrasound imaging). Students learn about sonographic imaging and evaluation, hemodynamics and Doppler evaluation, sonography equipment, sectional anatomy, pathology, patient care, medical ethics, and quality assurance methods. They become proficient in using sonographic imaging equipment and in performing cardiac and vascular sonographic procedures, including invasive procedures, emergency exams, and 3-D imaging. They also participate in supervised clinical education. Elective course and lab available in pediatric cardiac sonography.
Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification exams in diagnostic medical sonography in the specialty areas of cardiac (echocardiography) and vascular technology.
Students typically apply to this three-year program during their first year and begin it in fall of their sophomore year. Application deadline is January 15. Up to eight students are accepted into this track each year.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Internships
The diagnostic medical sonography student will have clinical assignments in many different areas of UI Hospitals and Clinics including the Departments of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Heart and Vascular Center. Students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of different types of modern sonographic equipment. The student's clinical experiences will include routine imaging, high risk obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric and neonatal exams, transplant patients, invasive procedures, 3D imaging and other specialized imaging. Rotations to other clinical sites provide a variety of additional clinical experiences. Diagnostic medical sonography students participate in clinical rotations at outside facilities and are required to meet the immunization and testing requirements of those facilities.
Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) (www.jrcdms.org). (CAAHEP, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; (727) 210-2350)
Links of Interest
Admitted Candidate Information
Bureau of Labor Statistics Outlook
Program Faculty
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Stephanie Ellingson, MS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R) Associate of Radiology Administrative Director of Radiation Sciences Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education 200 Hawkins Drive | Radiology, C723 GH (319) 356-4871 stephanie-ellingson@uiowa.edu |
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Kristy Crow, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT |
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Hannah Kelly, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT Radiation Sciences Educator Clinical Coordinator (319) 384-6211 hannah-kelly@uiowa.edu |
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K. Todd Woods, BSDMS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R) Radiation Sciences Educator (319) 356-7734 kenneth-woods@uiowa.edu |
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Laurie Calkins Administrative Services Coordinator, Division of Radiation Sciences 200 Hawkins Drive | Radiology, C725 GH Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (319) 356-3861 laurie-calkins@uiowa.edu |