Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), frequently referred to as sonography or ultrasound, uses high frequency sound waves to produce images for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Unlike other department programs, sonography is a career field that does not use radiation. The skilled technologists, called sonographers, must use professional judgement, problem solving skills, and medical equipment/ultrasound technology to create, analyze and interpret images of internal structures of the body such as organs, tissues, fetuses, blood vessels and musculature.
VCU's DMS Program
At the VCU Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, students will be immersed in a rich curriculum, a diverse student body, and develop rewarding skills through blended learning, classroom instruction, hands on laboratory experiences, and clinical education.
Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal Sonography – Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography.
Students enter the department in the fall semester as a sophomore where they complete core courses. The student's Junior year begins the DMS phase of the program. Program features include:
- class sizes between 10-15 students ensuring personalized attention and instruction,
- clinical education in a variety of clinical settings (medical centers, regional hospitals, and outpatient facilities) across 30 medical affiliates. (Note: Some sites may be 1.5 hours from VCU's College of Health Professions)
- The opportunity for hands-on experience in a safe and supportive laboratory with advanced imaging equipment such as Philips EPIQ, Philips CX50, and Philips IU-22 ultrasound machines, a variety of imaging phantoms (e.g., pelvic, fetal, scrotal, neonatal hip, neonatal brain), a Trophon unit, and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence simulation trainer.
Sonography Lab
DMS students apply concepts and strategies learned in their coursework to enhance their ultrasound clinical and lab experiences. Our ultrasound laboratory is equipped with large wall monitors that allows for comfortable observation of the student scanning for both the instructor and fellow classmates.
Becoming Certified
After successful completion of the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation courses, students will be eligible to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) SPI examination. In addition, 60 days prior to graduation, students will be eligible to sit for national certification examinations offered by the ARDMS (abdominal and obstetrics/gynecology).
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography General concentration 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.
CAAHEP
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350 | Fax: 727-210-2354
caahep.org | mail@caahep.org
JRCDMS
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500,
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 443-973-3251 | Fax: 866-738-3444
jrcdms.org | mail@jrcdms.org