SONOGRAPHY

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
"A career with quality patient care as our main focus."

Mission Statement
The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Mercy Medical Center strives to prepare the student for an entry-level position in the field of Ultrasound as a Sonographer. The graduating student is eligible to sit for the exam given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The school strives to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive, pyschomotor and affective learning domains. The school strives to ensure that our graduates are prepared to assume responsible positions on the healthcare team and continue Christ’s healing ministry by providing quality, compassionate, affordable and accessible care for the whole person.

Description of Profession

The profession of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer requires judgment and the ability to provide appropriate health care services. A sonographer is a highly skilled professional qualified by education to provide patient services using diagnostic medical sonography, as directed by a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy. The general sonographer may provide this service in a variety of settings where the physician is responsible for the use and interpretation of appropriate procedures. General sonographers assist physicians in gathering data necessary to reach diagnostic decisions.

The sonographer is able to perform the following:

• Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient history and clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results

• Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathological and physiological data for interpretation by the physician

• Record, analyze and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician

• Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic procedures.

• Demonstrate appropriate communication skill with patients and colleagues

• Behave in a professional, ethical manner

• Provide good patient education related to medical ultrasound and promote the principles of good health.

• Determine appropriate equipment settings to achieve optimal sonographic exams.

Program Description
The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Mercy Medical Center is a Ministry of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine/UHHS. We are a CAAHEP accredited program which provides a twelve-month hospital based diploma in the field of ultrasound. Graduates are eligible to become Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the specialties of OB/gynecological and abdominal ultrasound. Students are provided with both didactic and clinical instruction on campus. Over 1,400 hours are dedicated to the mastery of clinical skills valuable in today's competitive market.

Program Length
Our program is twelve consecutive calendar months with each class beginning in July. Students attend 40 hours a week with all classes and clinicals held at Mercy Medical Center. Students are given 40 hours of sick time and two weeks of scheduled vacation.

Admission Requirements
Applicant must be a graduate of a 2-year Allied Health education program that is patient care related OR have a 4-year Bachelor's Degree. Either must include the following prerequisites:

• American Heart Association BLS certification
• High school graduate or equivalent
• GPA of at least 2.0
• Satisfactory completion of the following prerequisites:
• General Physics
• Communication Skills
• Algebra 101 or higher college math
• Biological Science
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Medical Terminology
• General Pathophysiology
• Documentation of 4-hours of observation in Sonography (may be scheduled at Mercy with Sue Black)

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services on a course by course basis.

How To Apply?
In order to apply to the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you may make a personal appointment with the program director or download an application from our web-site.

Who Do I Contact?

Sue Black, R.D.M.S.
Program Director
School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Mercy Medical Center
1320 Mercy Drive, N.W.
Canton, Ohio 44708
(330) 489-1000, ext. 6609

Note: All descriptions, standards and policies stated in this brochure are subject to change. All other policies and procedures are kept in manuals located in the Program Director's office.

Grades for all coursework will be based on the following scale:

Any grade below a "C" in any class is considered to be failing.

Selection of students will be based on the applicant's ability didactically, interest, preparation, attitude and personal qualities indicating potential to successfully complete the mission and goals of the program. No discrimination shall be made against any qualified applicant based on their sex, race, color, creed, age, national origin, marital status or the physically challenged.

Graduation Requirements

• Satisfactorily complete all clinical requirements (Policy #3.112)

• Maintain a satisfactory GPA clinically (Policy #4.231)

• Maintain a satisfactory GPA didactically (Policy #4.232)

• Proficiently use oral and written medical terminology

• Demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

• Demonstrate proper operation of Ultrasound equipment and accessories

• Demonstrate normal and abnormal anatomy during ultrasound examination, as well as the ability to discuss sonographic findings and pathological process

• Have an understanding of ultrasound physics and can identify and correct the causes of artifacts

• Demonstrate concern and empathy for the patient

• Complete 12 months of clinical and didactic education

• Complete all make up time over 40 hours

• Have all costs to the program paid in full

Sincerely,

Susan Black, R.D.M.S.
Program Director
School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
susan.black@csauh.com

Accreditation
The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is CAAHEP accredited program #110092

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SCHOOL OF DIAGNOSTIC SONOGRAPHY APPLICATION
ACCREDITATION AND SPONSORSHIP

* This application should be completed and returned with your health education program transcripts, a copy of your health program diploma, a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent and a $25 non-refundable application fee made payable to Mercy Medical Center. We also ask that you have 2 reference forms filled out by a supervisor, instructor or other professional reference sent to the school. Download Sonography School Reference Form.

* We will accept applications until April 1st.

*This application is available for you to download and view in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. Download the free Acrobat Reader at: www.adobe.com