| HHPS Division > Health & Human Service Careers Department > Sonography Program > FAQ's |
| Sonography Program - FAQ's |
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1. What makes Lansing Com College’s DMS program different from other colleges? Lansing Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is CAAHEP (College of Accreditation of Allied Health Programs) accredited, and there are approximately 100+ accredited diagnostic medical sonography programs in the United States. (+2003 www.caahep.org) 2. What does CAAHEP mean to a DMS graduate? A student (other than an RT(R) or Bachelor Degree graduate) who graduates from a non-accredited DMS program must work or volunteer for an additional 12 months before they are eligible to take the national registry boards (ARDMS.) For more information application for national board eligibility log onto: www.ardms.org. The board results, since its inception in 1975, range between 50-79% for physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology. Waiting an additional 12 months may not help with increasing the registry results, especially in physics. Some hospitals will only hire a sonography graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program. 3. When does the DMS program start? How often are candidates selected? The DMS program admits students once a year. It is a 15-month program that starts each summer. The first semester (Summer I) there are two (2-credit) courses to take – IDMS 200 (Intro to Sonography) and CHSE 120 A, C, D, E+ (medical terminology – 100% online four (1/2) credit modules. (+DMS does accept CHSE 120 (4 credits) and some other college’s medical terminology courses. This determination is made by Assessment Services at LCC at: (517) 267-5500. They will require the official college transcript. No additional selective admissions points are granted for medical terminology credit. 4. Is the program a full-time commitment? Yes, from fall, spring and summer the program is full time for that 12 month period. 5. How often do students attend their clinical site? The students are at their clinical site from September-May on: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesdays from: 7:30a-4:00pm. From September-May they are on campus at LCC on Thursday/Fridays from: 9:30a-4:30pm. 6. What is the schedule the final semester (summer II?) The DMS students attend their clinical site on: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday from: 7:30a-4:00pm. There is also a 3-credit 100% online course (IDMS 151: Sonographic Registry Review) that the students are required to take this semester also. 7. What are the pre-requisite requirements to get into the sonography program? They are: a) BIO 145 (anatomy/physiology) – a combined 4 credit course and b) PHYS 120 or PHYS 200 (4 credit physics course) and c) Math 112 and d) LCC College Core requirements. 8. What if I completed BIO 201 and BIO 202 instead of BIO 145? Either BIO 201/202 or BIO 145 with a grade of 2.50 or higher is accepted for the DMS program. The DMS program grants additional points toward the selective admission program for a grade 3.5 or higher in BIO 201/202 or BIO 145. 9. How many students per year does the ultrasound program accept? We have clinical seats for approximately 24-28 students per year. 10. What if I already have a Bachelor’s Degree? If you have a Bachelor’s* degree or higher, you will need only to take the following two pre-requisites: 1) BIO 145 and 2) any college level Physics course-3-4 credits. You must obtain a 2.5 or higher in BIO 145 (anatomy and physiology) and a 2.0 or higher in Physics. 11. How do I know if courses will transfer to LCC as prerequisites? Your official college transcripts must be mailed directly from each of your prior college(s) to the Registrar’s office at: Lansing Community College 1121A-Registrar’s Office PO Box 40010 Lansing, MI 48901-7210. (517) 483-1200 or (800) 644-4522 x 1200. 12. When should I apply for the sonography program? Our deadline for application is: April 1st annually. Spring grades are not included when calculating admission points for this program. All courses must be completed by the end of Fall Semester to be considered for Phase II Admission Ranking (including prerequisites, core courses, and additional point courses). There are no exceptions for outstanding high school or college transcripts received postmarked after April 1st of the year the student is applying for. 13. I am a current LCC student. How do I apply? You will need to complete a second LCC application called a “selective admissions” application. You may obtain this application by contacting: LCC HHPS or Nursing Dept (517) 483-1410 or you may go to: HHS (Health and Human Services Building), Room 108 to pick up the selective application. 14. I am not yet an LCC student. How should I apply? You can apply to Lansing Community College online at: www.lcc.edu and type in “application” under “key word search.” Remember to complete the 2nd LCC “selective admissions” application for DMS. 15. What does the Admission Committee look for in a DMS applicant? All admissions are based on Phase I and Phase II process. You may obtain more information on this process by logging onto: www.lcc.edu and under the keyword search type “sonography.” You will find the curriculum code 0790 Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography form there. 16. What happens in the event of a tie breaker? The college looks at the oldest date of application and will offer that student the seat in the program. 17. How does one get credit for an Associate Degree? It is the student’s responsibility to apply for an Associate degree in order to be granted the additional points toward the selective admissions process. These forms are available in the Registrar’s office of the Gannon Building (GB). Students must apply for this prior to the April 1st annual deadline despite the college’s deadline for application (usually May 1st.) Students (who are applying for an Associates Degree with LCC within 120 days of April 1st) must inform the Registrar’s office so that the Selective Admissions department can put their name on a list. 18. What if I have credits toward an Associate Degree from another college? If LCC gives a student credit for a transferring course, these credits can apply toward an Associate Degree. However, the student must complete at least 20 credits at Lansing Com College in order to get a Lansing Com College Associate Degree. If the student has 45-50+ credits at another community college, they would benefit from inquiring about the “Application for Associate Degree” policy of that outside college to see if they qualify for an (non-Lansing Com College) Associate degree. 19. Why are there “optional courses” available? These courses are not required for consideration for the DMS program. However, they are very beneficial courses and may enhance a student’s education in the health careers as well as give additional points toward the selective admissions process. 20. How much does the program cost? You can look for the college’s current tuition rates in the current catalog. For an in-district student (2005) the estimate would be: $55 per contact hour x 45 credits or 54 contact hours = $2970 plus course fees of approximately $1200 = $4170 for the DMS program plus the cost of books and clinical uniforms. 21. How can I apply for financial aid? You may find more information by visiting the LCC website at: www.lcc.edu and typing in under keyword “financial aid.” 22. Is there any assistance for a single parent or displaced homemaker? Yes, we have an excellent resource in our Women’s Resource Center. They are on the LCC webpage, or you may reach them at: (517) 483-1199. Even single students and male students should apply at the Women’s Resource Center. 23. Why does it matter when I apply for the DMS program? In the event of a tie, the student who has the oldest date of application will be given the seat over an applicant with more credentials. Applicants should have their application in 30 days prior to April 1st and may want to send their application certified, return-receipt or overnight to obtain proof of delivery.
24.
Why is it important to
get my prerequisites and core requirements complete before spring
semester of the year in which I am applying? Students who complete all core requirements and all pre-requisites
could be chosen before a student who may have a higher GPA who still has
outstanding pre-requisite courses or core courses. 25. Can I apply to more than one program within Lansing Com College? Yes, but you run the risk of not being accepted into a program. If a student applies for DMS and for whatever reason (either the student changes their mind or is not accepted into this program due to selective admission ranking, they must change their major at the college immediately. If they do not change their major that 2nd selective admissions health career may not know to consider them for their program. 26. What is the pre-orientation DMS meeting about? This annual meeting is an informal ½ day meeting where the DMS Program Director and DMS Clinical Coordinator can sit down one-on-one with the final candidates (those students who will have their pre-requisites and co-requisites completed by the end of spring semester of the year they wish to be considered for) to make sure that all of the student’s transcripts and information are up to date and to answer questions. 27. What can I do to gain additional points toward the selective admissions process? The students will be ranked according to the semester they qualify in, and then will be ranked according to prior credentials, grade point average, work or volunteer experience in the medical field. Students who obtain a 3.5 or higher in physics and anatomy/physiology will be given additional points. Also, those students who complete the optional courses with a grade 2.50 or higher will be given additional points toward the selective admissions process. 28. Why do you give additional points in the selective admissions process for previous medical experience or hospital volunteer experience? It makes sense that those students who have had previous medical experience (including volunteering) may have an advantage in the program over those who have no experience. This also gives the candidate an opportunity to see if the medical field is a good fit for them, and if this is something they really want to devote their time and education toward. Sometimes, when a student volunteers, for example, they realize that they are not interested in this field, or they find out that they don’t enjoy being around patients who are ill. 29. Can I work while completing the sonography program? We do have students who work on a part-time basis. The DMS program is an intense program, because it is a 12-month full-time component, so we do not recommend it, especially during the fall semester. We have had students who do work, but they have excellent study habits and a great support system at home that enables them to do so successfully. 30. How does my GPA figure into the selective admission DMS process? We look at the student’s GPA for all LCC courses, and we give additional points to a grade 3.5 or higher in anatomy and physiology and physics. Those students who do well—especially in anatomy and physiology typically do well in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. We can consider your outside college GPA with proof of official college transcript. 31. Is there a waiting list to get into the sonography program at LCC? We do not keep a waiting list from year to year. If a student applies to the program and is not accepted, they must re-apply the next year by April 1. 32. Should I job shadow in the field of sonography before applying to the program? This is an excellent idea and we do recommend it. By doing this, the student is exposed to what the real life situation in the ultrasound department is, and what sonography really entails. This is a great way to help a student decide if this is really the field and the fit for them career-wise. There are no additional points toward the selective admissions process for a job shadow. Job Shadow Report Form 33. What are the qualities that a student should have to be a good sonographer? The sonographer performs clinical assessment and diagnostic sonography exams. The sonographer uses cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record, and adapt procedures as appropriate to anatomical, pathological, diagnostic information and images. He/she uses independent judgment during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings, and analyses sonograms, synthesizes sonographic information and medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician. The sonographer also assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in the sonographer's care. 34. What is a sonographer? A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional that is qualified by professional credentialing and academic and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures. 35. What are some of the skills necessary to be a sonographer? The following is a list from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.sdms.org):
· Ability to evaluate sonograms in order to acquire appropriate diagnostic information.
36.
If I have other
questions, whom should I contact? You may contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
at: 37. What are the job prospects for the field of sonography? For more information on this, you may log onto: www.sdms.org. There is currently a national shortage for sonographers as there are in most health care professions and this shortage is expected for the next several years, as the population ages and as the baby boomers (those born between 1945-1964) start to retire in 2010. |
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