Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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Welcome to the Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

The Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at John A. Logan College is an eighteen-month, full-time career program that addresses the growing demand for highly trained well-educated sonographers. The sonographer utilizes high frequency sound waves to produce visual images of the body. Echocardiography evaluates the anatomy and hemodynamics of the heart, its valves, and related blood vessels. The professional level of this health care service requires highly skilled and competent individuals who function as integral members of the health care team. The sonographer must be able to produce and evaluate ultrasound images and related data that are used by physicians to render a medical diagnosis. Diagnostic sonography serves a diverse population in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, and veterinary offices. The goal of sonography is to produce the best diagnostic information possible with available resources. The curriculum is an extremely active one in which the student is responsible for maintaining academic requirements on campus, as well as participating in an internship at clinical affiliates. A Strong math and physics background is suggested.

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The Projected Need for Sonographers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts a need from 2000 to 2010 for 16,000 more Sonographers. Faster-than-average growth in the employment of Sonographers is expected nationwide. The growing and aging population will increase the need for more safe, non-radioactive detection of diseases. Sonography will become increasingly important in the areas of obstetrics, gynecology, and cardiology. The demand for skilled sonographers exceeds supply in most areas of the state, but particularly in smaller communities and rural areas. As the need for qualified individuals spurs more training programs, the need for educators, researchers, and administrators will increase as well. Salaries for those with less than one year of experience are $20 to $22 an hour in southern Illinois. Median annual salary for ultrasound technologists in Illinois was $53,790 in May of 2004.

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Accreditation Status

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examination. Successful registrants may use the title Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

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Informational Packet

Below is a link to a packet that contains information about Diagnostic Medical Sonography, such as admission requriements, costs, and an application packet. Click here to open a PDF of the informational packet.

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Clinical Sites

• Carbondale Memorial
• 405 West Jackson Street
• Carbondale, Illinois 62901

• Deaconess Hospital
• 600 Mary Street
• Evansville, Indiana 47747

• Heartland Regional Medical
• 3333 W. DeYoung
• Marion, Illinois 62959

• Herrin Hospital
• 201 S. 14th Street
• Herrin Illinois 62948

• St. Francis Medical Center
• 211 St. Francis Drive
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703

• St. John's Hospital
• 800 E. Carpenter St.
• Springfield, Il 62769

• VA Medical Center
• 2401 West Main
• Marion, Illlinois 62959

• Western Baptist Hospital
• 2501 Kentucky Avenue
• Paducah, Kentucky 42003

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Additional Resources

Association/Journals/Accreditation Links

1. SDMS: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, to promote, advance, educate members of the medical community in DMS, Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The largest professional organization for sonographers representing every specialty and level of expertise.
2. ARDMS: Offers voluntary credentialing examinations. One becomes registered by taking physics and specialty exam, Credentials: RDMS, RDCS, RVT. ASE: American Society of Echocardiography, good web site, echo images. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.
3. ASE: American Society of Echocardiography, good web site, echo images. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.
4. ACC: American College of Cardiology: Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
5. AIUM: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: Advances the art and science of ultrasound in medicine and research, Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.
6. CAAHEP: Accredits programs representing 18 allied health professions recognizing over 1900 allied health education programs in more than 1300 institutions.

Internet Sites:

1. SDMS, http://www.sdms.org
2. ARDMS, http://www.ardms.org
3. ASE, http://www.asecho.org (echo case studies)
4. ACC, http://www.acc.org
5. AIUM, http://www.aium.org
6. Sonography jobs, http://www.ultrasoundjobs.com
7. CAAHEP, http://www.caahep.org

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