Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

The Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at John A Logan College is an accredited, 18 month, full time career program that prepares individuals to become competent, entry level Cardiac Sonographers, adult echocardiography concentration. The highly active and extensive curriculum consists of academic requirements that are achieved on campus, on line and externships with clinical affiliates.

Sonographers utilize high frequency sound waves to produce visual images of the heart and its surrounding structures. Echocardiography evaluates heart anatomy, valvular structures within the heart and related blood vessels, along with assessing hemodynamic components of the heart. 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. The programs primary goal is “To prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.”

Department Contact:

Karen Kasban, Coordinator, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Instructor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
AAS – Kaskaskia College
BA – Eastern Illinois University
karenkasban@jalc.edu

The Projected Need for Sonographers

Sonography is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past 20 years. With rapidly developing new technologies and increased use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in both urban and rural areas nationwide. Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc.

According to the SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey report report (released 2018), the median salary for sonographers is $73,133 annually. Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.

(From http://www.sdms.org/career/career.asp)

Accreditation Status

The John A. Logan Adult Cardiac DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This program is designed to prepare students to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examination. Successful candidates may use the title Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS). http://www.ardms.org/

CAAHEP is located at:
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Website: www.caahep.org

Informational Packet

Below is a link to a packet that contains information about Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography, such as admission requirements, costs, and an application packet. Fifteen students with required prerequisites are admitted annually. View the informational packet.

Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography Handbook. The goals and objectives(learning domains) of the program are in this handbook.

JALC Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Outcomes

Clinical Sites

Additional Resources

Programs with Specialized Accreditations

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. http://www.sdms.org

2. ARDMS: Offers voluntary credentialing examinations. One becomes registered by taking physics and specialty exam, Credentials: RDMS, RDCS, RVT. http://www.ardms.org/

3. ASE: American Society of Echocardiography, good web site, echo images. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. http://www.asecho.org 4. ACC: American College of Cardiology: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. http://www.acc.org

5. AIUM: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: Advances the art and science of ultrasound in medicine and research, Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. http://www.aium.org

6. CAAHEP: Accredits programs representing 18 allied health professions recognizing over 1900 allied health education programs in more than 1300 institutions. http://www.caahep.org

7. Sonography jobs, http://www.ultrasoundjobs.com

Sonographers and Vascular Technologists must be able to:

• Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
• Push and pull routinely
• Bend and stoop routinely
• Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders
• Distinguish audible sounds
• Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions
• Work standing on their feet 80% of the time
• Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
• Assist patients on and off examining tables
• Communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals
• Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence

(From http://www.sdms.org/career/career.asp)