Overview
Essential Functions of a Sonographer
Application and Virtual Career Shadowing Instructions
Career Assessment Form
Schedule ABD/OBGYN Track
Schedule ABD/Vascular Track
Program Effectiveness Data
Vascular Schedule
Cardiac Schedule
DMS Student Handbook
Narrative
With America's growing and aging population, the healthcare sector continues to offer growth in employment opportunities. Sonography is a key part of today's advanced medical practices, and qualified sonography graduates from Northampton find good-paying, flexible and rewarding positions throughout the country.
Students choose between four Sonography tracks offered at NCC: Abdomen-Extended & OB/GYN concentrations, Abdomen-Extended & Vascular concentrations, Vascular concentration and Adult Cardiac concentration. Completion of the program requirements of NCC’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with the Abdomen-Extended & OB/GYN concentrations allows the graduate the opportunity to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's (ARDMS) Abdominal and OB/GYN examinations. Completion of the program requirements of NCC’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with the Abdomen-Extended & Vascular concentrations allows the graduate the opportunity to sit for the ARDMS Abdominal and Vascular Technology examinations. Completion of the program requirements of NCC’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with the Vascular concentration allows the graduate the opportunity to sit for the ARDMS Vascular Technology examination. Completion of the program requirements of NCC’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with the Adult Cardiac concentration allows the graduate the opportunity to sit for the ARDMS Adult Cardiac examination.
NCC's sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)” for the Abdomen-Extended and OB/GYN concentrations.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355- 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354
www.caahep.org
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
6021 University Blvd, Suite 500
Ellicott, MD 21043
Phone: (443) 973-3251
Fax: (866) 738-3444
www.jrcdms.org
magat@jrcdms.org
Mission Statement
The mission of Northampton's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is to provide a quality and comprehensive education in sonography in a learner-centered environment. The graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to perform quality sonograms. The graduates will serve as integral members of the health care team by contributing to the diagnosis of the patient's illness. The program will instill in its graduates an understanding of diversity and cultural differences, empathy, and good communication skills. The graduates will be able to critically think and problem solve in order to meet the required examination protocol and technical needs on atypical patients. The graduates will embrace the concept that learning is a life-long experience in order to maintain currency in the dynamic field of sonography.
Program Goals
To prepare graduates:
- Who are competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular and adult cardiac sonography concentrations
- With a broad knowledge base that enables them to embrace life-long learning
- Who are able to adapt to ever-changing technology in the health care industry
- Who are competent to pass the certification examination
- Who meet or exceed the needs of their employers
Upon Acceptance into the Sonography Program
The Admissions Office will mail to each student, accepted into the program, a form to be completed for criminal background clearance, and a health form for a complete physical examination. The program will ask for written verification that the essential functions/technical standards can be met.
Associate in Applied Science Degree
This program is designed for the individual without an Allied Health background.
Features
The Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs at NCC begin in the fall semester of each year. The Abdomen-Extended & OB/GYN concentration and the Abdomen-Extended & Vascular concentration are 24-month competency-based programs. The Vascular and Adult Cardiac concentrations are 21-month competency-based programs. The programs are designed for the individual without an Allied Health background. Practice in scanning and instrumentation is done in the lab facilities on NCC's campus. The clinical education component of the program is conducted at various clinical affiliates in the Lehigh Valley, Poconos, Bucks County, and New Jersey. Students in each concentration complete 1560 hours of clinical education.
Career Potential: Sonographer (RDMS), Vascular Technologist (RVT), Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
Transfer Potential: Thomas Jefferson University, Misercordia University and Adventist University of Health Sciences.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. The minimum admission requirements to the program include:
- Completion of high school or GED equivalent
- Completion of high school biology with a lab component with a grade of B or better OR NCC’s BIOS115 *
- Completion of 2 units of high school algebra (Algebra I and II) with grades of “C” or better OR MATH022 and MATH026 OR MATH028 with grades of “C” or better or exemption through placement testing.*
- Submission of an application
- Submission of all official transcripts
- Completion of a Career Assessment Form (CAF)
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
*High school courses must be college preparatory level. Equivalents from other colleges may satisfy requirements.
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the Sonography Program. Primary consideration will be given to applicants who have completed:
- College Algebra, Human Anatomy I & II with a B or better the first time a course is taken
- The general education courses that apply to the program
Deadlines
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a fall-start program. Students may apply to the clinical program starting October 1. Applications must be completed by February 1. Students will not be able to apply to the clinical program after February 1.
After February 1, students who wish to take general education courses toward the Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree may apply to the Health Sciences program of study.
Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.
Progression
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all DMSG courses.
Academic Dismissal from Health Sciences Selective Admission Programs
Any student who does not successfully complete* one (1) course that carries the prefix of the student's Health Sciences major will be dismissed from the program. This policy applies to courses in these programs: Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMSG), Radiography (RADT), Nursing (NURS) and Funeral Services (FUNS).
Any student who does not successfully complete* two (2) courses (either two different courses or the same course twice), that carry the prefix of the student's Health Sciences major will be dismissed from the program. This policy applies to courses in these programs: Dental Hygiene (DENH), Medical Assistant (MDAS), Veterinary Technician (VETC), and Respiratory Care (RESP).
Students may apply again for possible readmission, which includes testing of previous core course material. Readmission is on a space available basis, and priority is given to students entering the program for the first time and to those students who have successfully completed the core courses and have maintained continuous enrollment.
If the student is readmitted and again does not successfully complete one (1) course that carries the prefix of the student's Health Sciences program, they will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to reapply.
*Unsuccessful course completion is defined as a final course grade of F or W.