Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program | DMS Program

Would like to know more about Ultrasound Technologists? Watch this "Career Encounters Video" presented by ASRT:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography - (Sonography)

The Ultrasound Technologist program prepares graduates for entry-level employment as an Ultrasonographer with specialization in general sonography (Abdominal & Small Parts, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vascular ultrasound) Working in hospitals imaging centers, physicians offices or clinics, the Ultrasonographer plays a very important role on today′s medical diagnosis and treatment team.

To be considered for acceptance into the program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
1. Student must have graduated from high school, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.
2. Student must pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or make other arrangements acceptable to the school.
3. Students must complete an Ability to benefit test (SLE Scholastic Level Exam), with a score of at least 30.
4. ESL test is required for non-native speakers.
5. BS or AS degree (Allied-health care degrees are preferred).
6. Student must pass an interview with the Program Director/ Associate Program Director.
7. * Students must complete prerequisite courses provided by the school. The courses are:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Medical Terminology
• Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentations 1
• Cross-Sectional Anatomy
  
  (The prerequisite courses can be waived for a prospective student by taking and passing the corresponding test)
  * Students who can demonstrate 2 years of health allied education including but not limited to Nursing sciences, Radiology Technicians, Paramedics, etc will be exempted from taking the prerequisite courses and tests.
  Official graded transcripts for each of the following courses will require:
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Medical Terminology
• Algebra (College level)
• Physics (College level)

Length: 18 months (1920 Hours)
Internship: 960 hours of clinical training in affiliated medical facilities
Didactic Sessions Schedule: Evening 6PM-10PM and Morning 10AM-2PM
Clinical/Internship Sessions Schedule: 8AM-6PM (Weekdays)

Tuition: $ 24,960.00
Books & Materials: $ 900.00
Application Fee: $ 75.00
Total Program Cost: $ 25,935.00


Additional costs if applicable - Prerequisites: $2,288.00. The duration of the prerequisites is 5 months.
Prerequisite courses cover general medical science courses such as: - Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology: 96 Hours, - Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 1: 48 Hours (Intro to Ultrasound), -Cross-Sectional Anatomy: 32 Hours.

• Sallie Mae student loans are available now for those who qualify.
• For details please call 650-685-6616

According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers were $48,660 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,420 and $56,020 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,680. Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers in 2002 were $50,390 in offices of physicians and $47,530 in hospitals.

According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. In addition to job openings due to growth, some job openings will arise from the need to replace sonographers who leave the occupation permanently.
Opportunities should be favorable because sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures, as patients seek safer treatment methods. Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects and complications from repeated use are rarer for both the patient and the sonographer. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis. However, high costs may limit the rate at which some promising new technologies are adopted.
Hospitals will remain the principal employer of diagnostic medical sonographers. However, employment is expected to grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow very rapidly through 2012 due to the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital.

Disclaimer Form
To all DMS students: The law does NOT require Ultrasonographers to be ARDMS certified to work, but such certification increases the chances of being hired. To get more information about ADRMS certification & examination you can visit ARDMS web site @ www.ardms.org or contact them at The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, 51 Monroe Street, Plaza East One, Rockville, MD 20850
Since Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, Diagnostic Medical Sonography program accepts applicants only with Bachelors Degrees; the graduates who hold BS or BA degrees are eligible to sit for ARDMS examination right after completion of the program (ARDMS prerequisite # 3A.)