What is Sonography?  Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a technical science that deals with the use of ultrasound for diagnostic purposes in medicine.  Sonographers, also known as ultrasound technologists, use high frequency sound waves to image structures within the body in order to diagnose, treat and prevent medical conditions. The sonographer operates sophisticated ultrasound equipment that collects and analyzes ultrasound echoes to create images of the body.  Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that includes performing some invasive procedures. Sonographers must always be able to interact compassionately and effectively with patients who range from healthy to critically ill.     

Your Career in Sonography (ARDMS)  
Sonograhy Career Information    

Career Characteristics.  Sonography is a highly technical career that is best suited to individuals who are self-directed and highly motivated in the areas of technology and patient care. A few of the responsibilities and expectations of an ultrasound technologist are listed below routinely perform patient assessments by using effective communication and analytical skills.   

• Sonographers must be able to obtain and analyze ultrasound data and be able to recognize pathology and/or physiologic changes as they occur.  
• Sonographers must compare their images to other diagnostic imaging studies and then integrate this data to allow for proper diagnosis.   
• The sonographer must be able to perform diagnostic procedures that involve blood and body fluids.  
• The sonographer must be able to work and interact professionally with physicians as sonographers are responsible for providing preliminary reports of ultrasound findings to the physician.    
• The sonographer must be able to follow strict protocol and comply with any/all established departmental procedures.  
• The sonographer must work in partnership with other health care professionals to provide the best medical care possible for all patients.  
• The sonographer must act as a patient advocate supporting patient rights and providing physical and emotional comfort.  
• The sonographer must and take advantage of educational opportunities, including improvement in technical and problem-solving skills and personal growth.  

Look before you leap!  Many potential students believe that a career in ultrasound is just the imaging of pregnant woman.  It is important that the potential student recognize the full scope of what a career in ultrasound will entail.  Obstetrics (pregnant woman) constitute only a small, yet significant, portion of this field. Students are encouraged to shadow or volunteer at a local hospital or imaging department that performs all routine ultrasound exams so as to be fully aware of sonographer responsibilities and potential career paths.   

Professional Credentials
RDMS:  Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (subject to passing national certification exam)   

Certification is considered the standard of practice in ultrasound. Students who graduate from our program can obtain national certification. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examinations in the areas of 

Physics & Instrumentation
OB/GYN
Abdomen
Breast

To obtain the RDMS credential, an individual must pass the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation Examination in addition to at least one other part.  

Employment Opportunities     

Graduates of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program may be offered employment in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and outpatient imaging centers. Experienced sonographers can advance to administrative, teaching, research, or sales positions as well as specialized concentrations within the profession.

Sonography is used to assess many areas of the body. Advances in technology continue to expand the areas of use for sonography. Locally, sonography it is used as a diagnostic tool in the following areas:     

• Gynecology  
• Obstetrics  
• Breast  
• Male Reproductive System  
• Pediatrics  
• Neurosonography    
• Vascular System (not offered at GTC at this time)  
• Cardiology (not offered at GTC at this time) 

Additional information on the profession can be found at Careers in Sonography or www.ultrasoundcareers.org.

 Program Curriculum 

Greenville Technical College offers a seven-semester curriculum of study, leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 

Type of Program:  

Phase I: Day, night or weekend
Phase II: Day  

Formal academic course work will be presented by experienced, practicing sonographers and other health science professionals. Students receive didactic and clinical instruction in all aspects of diagnostic ultrasound in preparation for entry-level position as a diagnostic medical sonographer. Emphasis is placed on abdominal, obstetrics and gynecology, and superficial structures along with appropriate imaging techniques in each area. Students will be required to learn patient care skills, medical ethics, and the communication skills necessary to function as a member of the health care team.  Students will also be trained in the physics of ultrasound and will also learn how to operate ultrasound equipment in a safe and effective manner.   

Didactic courses are taught on the Barton campus with clinical training at various clinical affiliates located throughout the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. 

The competency-based clinical education course provides over 1,000 contact hours of supervised clinical instruction and is often available at an affiliated facility close to the student's home.   

Qualified students are eligible to participate in Lambda Nu, a national honor society for radiologic and imaging sciences. 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Catalog Information 

Program Admissions 

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Greenville Tech has a limited enrollment based on specific admission criteria and available clinical sites.  The DMS program is a One-plus-One program.  This type of degree program allows students to complete all required general education courses in the first year of study (phase I), and then complete all advanced courses and clinical rotations during the second phase (phase II). 

Students are eligible to apply to enter the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program (Phase II) upon the completion of all prerequisite requirements and the submission of a Weighted Admissions Form.  A maximum of 15 students will be accepted as determined by the Weighted Admissions process .  Students who wish to learn more about the Weighted Admissions process should attend a CareerTalk and meet with an advisor.    

Other Admission requirements include (subject to modification)

• Apply to Greenville Technical College and have major coded as AAS.DMS.
• Must have official, sealed transcripts from other colleges evaluated by the GTC Transcript Evaluation Office.
• Attend a CareerTalk  (must be current, valid for 2 years).
• Eligible students should submit a Weighted Admission Form. Students should only submit an intent form between January 1^st and May 1^st of the year they are eligible to enter Phase II. Copies of all documents that students wish to obtain points for must be included. There is no guarantee of acceptance into the program for Fall 2012, so if you are interested in applying, please complete both the Weighted Admission Form for Fall 2012, and the Weighted Admission Form for Fall 2013and after.
• Current CPR certification by the American Heart Assoc.
• Completed college physical form by licensed physician
• Complete Pre-Clinical Orientation
• Crime-free criminal background check
• Negative 10-panel drug screen

If you would like to receive more information about Phase I courses you can contact our advising center at 250-8109. If you have specific questions regarding Phase II courses you can contact Cindy.Parris@gvltec.edu.