Washburn
University
School
of Applied
Studies
Department of Allied Health
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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ARDMS Board Exam Prerequisites
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Application Deadline - February 1st
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an Allied Health field that utilizes high frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of many varying disorders. The profession includes General Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasound, and Vascular Ultrasound. The sonographer is a respected member of the health care team that works directly under the supervision of physicians to deliver health care to patients.
What is the role of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
The role of the sonographer is vital both in outpatient and inpatient
settings.
Roughly one half of sonographers work in hospital settings. The
sonographer
generally spends more time with the patient than most other health care
providers. Ultrasound is a rewarding blend of patient care with
highly
sophisticated technology. Ultrasound is often regarded as the
most
"operator-dependent" imaging modality. The ultrasound field has
rapidly
expanded in the last thirty years. Specialties include abdominal,
OB-GYN, adult and pediatric echocardiography, and a wide range of
vascular
procedures, with other miscellaneous procedures.
While many ultrasound procedures are diagnostic in nature, some are therapeutic, and the future holds an increased involvement of ultrasound in the therapeutic area.
The sonographer obtains, reviews, and integrates pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results. He/she also performs appropriate procedures, and records anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician. He/she records, analyzes, and processes diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician. One must also provide patient education related to medical ultrasound, promote principles of good health, act in a professional and ethical manner, and demonstrate kind and compassionate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
Why Choose Washburn University's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program?
- All classwork is in a Distance Learning (on-line) format
- Clinical education can usually be arranged close to students home
- Students work closely with ultrasound faculty
- Washburn faculty has over 70 years of ultrasound experience
- Washburn University's location allows for affiliation with large medical centers, private doctor's offices and clinics, and smaller community hospitals
- Students are provided a large variety of clinical experiences
- Median entry-level salaries are between $35-40,000.
Clinical Site Placement Procedure
The Washburn University Diagnostic Medical Sonography program offers an online didactic curriculum paired with required clinical training. While we do have a number of active and experienced clinical site affiliates, they are almost always filled with students whom have completed previous allied health programs located within these facilities.
Most of our students are located in many different areas across the nation. In the best interest of the student and the prospective clinical site, we must take this into account when establishing clinical sites for our students. Therefore, we ask the prospective student to locate a healthcare facility in their area that he/she would be interested in attending to complete their clinical education. The student can contact the facility to inquire if they would be interested in mentoring a Sonography student through the Washburn University program. The clinical site must possess a registered sonographer in the student’s concentrated area of study.
Once this has been established, Washburn University can send the facility a packet of information detailing the process of becoming an affiliated clinical site. If a student already has a clinical site that has agreed to sponsor them in the Sonography training, the facility must complete a clinical site agreement application packet. With any further questions regarding clinical placement, please contact the Washburn University Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 785-670-2170.
Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS): http://www.jrcdms.org/
![[Washburn University, 1700 College, Topeka, Kansas, USA 785.231.1010]](images/wucrest-darktext-lightback.gif)
Allied
Health
Lisa Rieschick
(785)
670-2170
Fax:
785) 670-1027