UCSD Medical Center

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, California, offers a 12-month program is General sonography and limited Vascular. The UCSD Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the JRC-DMS/CAAHEP.

The students will perform their clinical rotation at the affiliate hospitals (UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center, UCSD Thornton Hospital, San Diego VA Medical Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital (Chula Vista), Physicians Radiology, Sharp Imaging Center, and Sharp Grossmont Hospital).

UCSD’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will provide the students with an exceptional education to include:

· State-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasound equipment. You will learn to

use a wide range of ultrasound equipment.

· A diverse patient population to include both inpatients and

outpatients. You will be exposed to a wide range of illnesses and

pathology.

· An excellent student to faculty ratio. You will work directly with

highly skilled sonographers throughout the program to provide

direction, knowledge and skills.

The UCSD Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program provides the high quality didactic and clinical experiences needed to create a well-qualified, fully competent general sonographer. The program at UCSD is well known for outstanding sonographers and excellence in student performance.

We maintain this excellence by a very selective application process. We set high standards for our students to maintain. An incredible amount of reading, comprehension and logical reasoning is required of our students.

Therefore, we have found by establishing these high goals, our students are well prepared to focus on the academic challenge for a successful career in ultrasound.

The school will accept as students, applicants who exhibit by past education, experience and personal interview a high potential for success in diagnostic medical Sonography. The gradepoint average shall be a minimum of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in previous academic work. The Program Director, Physics Instructor and Ultrasound Clinical Instructor will serve on the admissions committee.

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet one of the two prerequisites described below.

Prerequisite #1

Candidates must be graduates of, or are about to graduate from a two-year formal Allied Health Education Program that is patient care related. (Radiologic Technology, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy) The program must be:

· Two years in length or longer.

· Completion of the following courses at the post-secondary level

Algebra

Human Anatomy and physiology

Patient Care

Medical Terminology

General Physics

Communication skills

Medical Ethics and Law

General Pathophysiology

· Involved in direct patient contact.

· Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education

Programs (CAAHEP)

Prerequisite #2

Candidates must have completed a Baccalaureate degree and:

· Completion of the following courses at the post-secondary level:

Algebra

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Patient Care

Medical Terminology

General Physics

Communication skills

Medical Ethics and Law

General Pathophysiology

· Documentation of 80 hours direct patient contact in a hospital or clinic.

If you have any questions concerning your eligibility or academic background, please call the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at (619) 543-6617.

International students: Admission Requirements

Students must meet one of the two prerequisites of the program. Applicants who have academic credentials from foreign institutions must submit those credentials to the World Education Services (WES) or the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) for a course-by course evaluation. The evaluation will take approximately four weeks to complete and its cost is the responsibility of the applicant.

Students whose first language is not English must also submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the Test of Written English (TWE) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE). You may obtain information on these tests from the Educational Testing Services website at http://www.toefl.org/index.html Your test results must be less than two years old.

The annual tuition for the 12-month sonography program begining January 2008 is $12,000.00. Textbooks cost an additional $500.00 (approx.). In addition, you will be required to purchase a professional medical liability insurance policy at a cost of $25.00.

You are responsible for your own ARDMS certification examination fees, all living expenses, and parking fees. No financial aid is available through the university or the program. All funding must be obtained through other sources.

Student training and development opportunities provided for students shall be available without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, color, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a special disabled or Vietnam era veteran. Any student that meets the physical requirements of the program shall have an equal opportunity to apply for the program.

All students will be required to authorize UCSD Medical Center to perform a criminal background check upon acceptance into the program. This will be performed by an independent company used by UCSD Medical Center Department of Human Resources. The results will be kept in the UCSD Medical Center Department of Human Resources. The background check is required by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

1. Admission to the program is conditional upon passing a physical

examination. A form will be mailed upon your acceptance into the

program. All immunizations must be documented and updated as

required by the program.

2. Students are responsible for their own health insurance and must

provide a copy of their card at orientation for proof of insurance.

· Ability to bend, kneel and squat

· Full use of both arms, hands and fingers

· Push and pull a 200-250 lb. Ultrasound machine

· Ability to hear Doppler used in pulse wave doppler

· Ability to distinguish variations in colors used in color Doppler

· Ability to work standing greater than 75% of the time

· Assist patients by lifting and helping on and off tables

· Effectively communicate with patients and relatives

· Effectively communicate with sonographers and radiologists

· You are expected to arrive on time and attend all scheduled classes

and clinical rotations unless you have an approved absence.

· You must conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.

· You must adhere to all policies regarding the program and all policies

required by each hospital clinical affiliate.

· You must maintain a “C” average at all times throughout the program.

Students who complete the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program receive a certificate from UCSD Medical Center. Upon completion of the program, you will be qualified to take the abdomen, obstetrics & gynecology and physics examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Each student will be assigned to an affiliate hospital for their clinical training.

The curriculum is designed so that the didactic courses will be given in a specified sequence. You will then utilize this information in the clinical rotation as you learn each area. You will add to your expertise throughout the program.

Didactic Course

Pelvic Sonography

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Case Review

Introduction to Ultrasound Physics

Ultrasound Equipment

Small Parts Sonography (breast, thyroid, scrotum, prostate)

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Case Review

Abdominal Sonography

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Vascular

Case Review

Color and Pulsed Doppler Physics

Neonatal Head Sonography

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Case Review

Advanced Physics

Obstetrical Sonography

Normal Anatomy

Fetal Anomalies

Other abnormalities associated with pregnancy

Case Review

Vascular Sonography

Venous – upper and lower extremity

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Doppler

Case Review

Carotid

Anatomy and Physiology

Pathology

Doppler

Case Review

Clinical – 32 hours a week. Didactic – approximately 8 hours a week.

GENERAL SONOGRAPHY

The following objectives shall be met upon graduation:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy, physiology,

pathology, and pathophysiology.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of related imaging,

laboratory and testing procedures as they contribute to the clinical

evaluation of disease and pathology.

3. Identify sonographic representation of normal and abnormal anatomy.

4. Apply optimal scanning techniques and imaging for specific areas of

interest.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of permanent image record processing

methods, image processing and storage, billing, and hospital computer.

6. Complete all clinical exam and equipment competencies

SPECIFIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Upon graduation from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, students shall utilize the following statements:

1. Use oral and written communication skills

· Short paper reports on various topics

· Journal article evaluations

· Examinations - essay and multiple choice

· Case interpretation and preliminary reports

2. Perform appropriate mathematical and algebraic functions

· Physics

· Obstetrical calculations

· Growth determination

· Volume determination

· Doppler flow studies

3. Anticipate and provide basic care and comfort to the patient.

· Infection control

· Hand washing

· Patient safety

4. Recognize emergency patient conditions, initiate first aid

and basic life support procedures.

· CPR

· Earthquake knowledge

· Fire safety

· Know emergency phone numbers

5. Demonstrate knowledge of human systemic and sectional

anatomy

· Classroom work

· Anatomical testing

· Ultrasound Case Review and interpretation

6. Integrate patient history and physical findings to determine

appropriate area(s) of interest for obtaining diagnostic

examinations and demonstrate proficiency in clinical scanning

in all areas.

· Abdominal/renal and doppler

· Obstetrics

· Gynecology

· Small parts

· Neonatal heads

· Carotid doppler

· Upper & lower extremity venous doppler

7. Demonstrate knowledge of ultrasound instrumentation

· Techniques

· Artifact recognition

· Equipment malfunction

· Photography adjustment

· Transducers

8. Demonstrate understanding of acoustical physics, doppler

ultrasound principles and medical ultrasound imaging

principles and instrumentation.

9. Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in optimal recording

and analysis of data.

· Photography techniques

· Utilization of digital storage and image display

· Interpretation skills

10. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interactions

between ultrasound and tissue.

· Class discussion, film critique, scanning techniques

11. Demonstrate knowledge related to biological effects.

12. Exercise professional judgment and discretion in obtaining

diagnostic information and correlating findings with

supervising physicians.

· Case interpretation techniques

· Imaging conferences

13. Exercise professional judgment and discretion in

communication with patients, co-workers and the public

concerning Sonography.

14. Demonstrate knowledge, which contributes to the

development of diagnostic medical sonography.

· Case review

· Student papers

· Journal articles

Six students are accepted for the UCSD Medical Center Sonography Program on a competitive basis each year. The program does not have a waiting list. Classes begin in January.

1. To apply to