Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program in CT

AIHT Education’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography also known as Ultrasound Technologist training is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in ultrasound field. Students will learn essential skills to operate ultrasound equipment and create internal organ images.

Program Overview

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a two-year hybrid program that will train you to create images to assess and diagnose various medical conditions. The role of a diagnostic medical sonographer is critically important in helping doctors make accurate diagnoses. Students will be trained on the necessary technical skills to perform abdominal, ob-gyn, and vascular ultrasound.

Program Objective

The objective of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is  to prepare entry level skilled sonographers and to equip them with the essential knowledge of the vital principles and instrumentation of diagnostic ultrasound.

Hybrid Learning

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is taught using a hybrid learning environment. All hybrid courses will utilize online and in-person instruction. Lectures may be offered on campus or remotely via a Learning Management System (LMS). Laboratory classes and practical training will be held on campus or at a clinical site.

Online classes will be taught synchronously. Synchronous instruction is real-time instruction that requires students to attend classes at scheduled times.

Clinical Externship

At the end of the program, the student will be placed for a clinical externship where they can gain hands-on experience in a hospital, or imaging centres. Externships allow students to develop skills and enable them to connect with working professionals.

AIHT has clinical affiliations with number of healthcare facilities where students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Students cannot begin the externship until all required classroom and lab hours are completed.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Responsibilities

A medical sonographer’s responsibilities will vary depending on the specialty they pursue and their place of employment. Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound machine to create images for the treatment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.

A diagnostic medical sonographer works alongside doctors and nurses to help patients of all ages. Medical sonographers can pursue various specialties, including imaging the ob-gyn, vascular and abdomen.

Most general diagnostic sonographers require experience in multiple fields. While the overall responsibilities a medical sonographer may have will vary, some of the most common include:

• Using sonographic equipment to perform diagnostic evaluations
• Provide patient care and comfort
• Ensuring proper patient positioning for procedures
• Utilizing a transducer to address images of tissues, blood flow and organs
• Providing clinical assessment during diagnostic examinations
• Maintaining equipment and supplies
• Organizing daily workflow and schedules
• Documenting examination data for a physician’s interpretation
• Prepping preliminary reports if abnormal results are identified
• Know the different types of ultrasoundfor pregnancy

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Daily Duties

While a diagnostic medical sonographer’s daily responsibilities may vary depending on their place of employment, some of the most common tasks a medical sonographer may complete in a shift include:

• Keeping daily logs of patients
• Maintaining machinery, equipment and supplies
• Performing consultations with physicians and supervisors
• Engaging with patients
• Selecting ideal positions and equipment settings for the best results
• Implementing all safety and sanitary protocols after test
• Completing applicable billing forms

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Skills and Education

AIHT’s program will provide students with foundational knowledge experience, including:

• Abdominal Scanning
• Ob/Gyn Scanning
• Vascular Scanning
• Patient care Skills

Professional Credentials

Graduate with Associate Degree is eligible to take certification exam through American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).  Graduate with bachelor’s degree or Higher is eligible to take certification through American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Admission Requirement

Pre-requisites for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program:

• College level English Comp or communications
• College level Algebra or statistics or higher level math
• College level General Physics
• Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A) License*

Application Requirements:

• Pre-requisite Classes
• Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree
• Passing score on the Wonderlic Exam
• Statement of Purpose Essay
• Interview with Program Director
• Minimum requirement of technical and health standards

The program has a discernment application process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee you will be accepted into the program. Out of all the applicants, those considered most qualified for the study and practice of sonography will be admitted.

*Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A) License Waiver for Diagnostic Medical Sonography program:
The C.N.A License may be waived if student has completed one or more of the following direct patient care programs: Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Radiologic Technologist (RT-R), Paramedic, EMT-Basic, Respiratory Therapist or Surgical Technologist. Medical Assistant (MA) will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on experience. Those who wish to have the CNA requirement waived due to the above circumstances, will need to provide proof of licensure, submit their resume, and employment verification.

Contracting Agreement for Pre-requisite Courses

AIHT Education has entered into a contracting agreement with Geneva College in partnership with Portage Learning (Geneva-Portage). This agreement involves specific arrangements for pre-requisite coursework. As part of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, students will complete three general education courses (9 credits) through Geneva-Portage. These courses, which must be completed, will consist of:

ENG 101 English Composition I

MAT 101 College Algebra

PHY 101 Physics

The Geneva-Portage courses will be online, self-paced, and asynchronous.

You can sign up for classes here: https://portagelearning.edu/partners/aiht

If you have any questions email admission@aiht.edu.