Job Shadowing: Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Radiation Sciences Programs
Logo for University of Iowa Health Care This logo represents the University of Iowa Health Care

Job Shadowing: Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Job-shadows are available ONLY to students that:

  • Are at least 18 years of age (individuals under 18 years of age may contact the program via email and arrange a tour of the facility and program in lieu of direct patient care observation),
  • Have or are planning to apply to the UI Radiation Sciences Programs,
  • Are free of communicable diseases and agree to complete and sign a screening form,
  • Agree to sign the "Declaration of Patient Information Confidentiality", and
  • Agree to the clothing attire requirement. (See below for information on each.)
  • Provide a form of personal identification
  • Eat within 1 hour of job shadow. Students have fainted during their shadowing experience. Please eat to minimize this risk.

Requesting a Job-Shadowing Opportunity

Job-shadows are provided upon request ONLY on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm.

  • Fall semester: entire session until the end of finals week (mid-December)
  • Spring semester:  start after spring break (mid-March) until the end of semester
  • Summer semester:  June 1 through July 31

For requests, email the appropriate contact listed below.

Subject line: Job-shadowing
Main message: Include name, address, phone number, age, level of education (high school or college), and several dates that you can attend.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

Stephanie Ellingson (stephanie-ellingson@uiowa.edu)

Communicable Disease Screening Form and Declaration of Patient Information Confidentiality

Job shadowing candidates must complete and sign this combined form and return it to the program office on the day of your visit. Prior to each visit, job-shadowing candidates must be screened for the following. Any visitor with a positive history or examination may be denied visiting privileges. This form must be kept on file in the area visited for 2 weeks.

Clothing Attire Requirements

Job-shadowing candidates must follow the dress code below. There are NO exceptions. Candidates failing to meet this dress code will not be allowed to shadow..

  • Candidate must wear a Visitor ID badge above the waist, without attachments, immediately visible to patients, visitors, and other staff. ID badge will be provided upon arrival at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Bring a form of personal ID with you to the job shadow for verification.
  • Grooming/Personal Hygiene:
    • Candidate must be physically clean, well groomed, and take steps to prevent and/or address problems of offensive body odor. Candidate is to avoid excessive use of fragrances and must be sensitive to scented chemicals that may be offensive, cause allergic, or other adverse reactions for patients, visitors, staff or another person.
    • Candidate hairstyle and/or color should not interfere with the work environment or patient care.
  • Jewelry/Adornments:
    • The wearing of jewelry, scarves, and accessories should be limited and must not pose an infection or physical hazard.
    • Tattoos and body art with wording or images that may be perceived as offensive (such as, racial slurs, swear words, revealing body parts in a way that a reasonable person could perceive as inappropriate, symbols of death) to patients, families or other persons should be covered.
  • Clothing/Apparel/Uniforms:
    • Clothing must be neat, clean and free from offending odors.
    • Shorts, blue denim jean pants of any length, and exercise or workout clothing, including sweat pants, spandex or legging are not considered appropriate attire. Denim jean pants in colors other than blue are acceptable if they are clean, and in good condition with no holes, ragged hems, or patches. No stonewashed or faded denim jeans of any color.
    • Appropriate clean footwear such as athletic shoes, dress shoes/boots are required. Comfortable shoes are recommended.  You will be on your feet most of the day.
      • NO open-toed shoes/boots, beach type shoes, flip-flops, or bedroom slippers. 
    • Caps or hats, unless worn for medical or religious reasons, are not appropriate attire.
    • Shirts or other apparel with images, wording or logos that may be perceived as offensive to patients, families or others are not considered appropriate attire.
    • Tank tops, halter tops, or crop tops that leave the midriff or back exposed with arms extended, skirts or other clothing that  may expose undergarments are inappropriate attire in light of the desire to be patient-centered.
    • You can be at risk of having to reschedule your job shadow due to unapproved attire.
  • Body piercing - No visible body piercing may be worn. This includes the tongue.

Directions & Lodging

Park in a ramp located west of the UI Hospitals and Clinics' main entrance. Directions to the radiation sciences program locations, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, and lodging information can be found on the contact page.