Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) utilizes sound waves to produce high definition images of the body to aid in the diagnosis of the patient. The specialties of sonography that are used in the diagnostic field include areas of the abdomen, pelvis, heart, and vascular system. A sonographer must have a thorough understanding and excellent knowledge of the organs and vasculature within the body. Competency and skill are required in order to attain the necessary images needed for each procedure being performed.

The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program prepares students as entry-level sonographers in the areas of abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology. Program graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and will be eligible to take the national licensing examination with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the disciplines of Abdomen and OB/GYN.

The duties of a sonographer include working closely with patients and radiologists, obtaining high quality sonographic images, documenting all pathologic processes for interpretation by a radiologist, educating the patient on sonographic procedures and protocols being performed, communicating properly with patients and health care workers, and maintaining a professional and ethical manner.

Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) 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).

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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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Health Sciences
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About the Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Goals, Objectives, and Student Learning Outcomes

Mission

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program mission is consistent with the mission and goals of the Louisiana State University System, Louisiana State University Eunice and the College of Health Sciences. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is committed to providing students with academic excellence. The administration and faculty are dedicated to providing the highest quality education through didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction with emphasis on the psychomotor, affective and cognitive learning domains. The program is committed to preparing students for entry-level practice as sonographers, who will provide quality patient care, contribute to their profession, and dedicate themselves, as professionals, to lifelong learning.

DMS Program Goals

Achievement of goals is assessed through annual graduate and employer surveys, national credential examination pass rates, employment rates, and other data. This data is reviewed relative to the JRC-DMS Annual Report. The advisory committees and sonography faculty review outcomes reports annually and make recommendations for changes if outcomes do not meet benchmarks. Sonography faculty make on-going assessment of course content and structure using faculty and end-of-course evaluations.  Specific program goals include:

  • To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the Abdominal Sonography-Extended concentration.
  • To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography concentration.
  • Meet or exceed CAAHEP Standards for program accreditation.

The effectiveness of these goals is assessed by measuring the following student outcomes: Course completion, Clinical competencies, Program Completion, National certification pass rate and employment rate as well as graduate and employer satisfaction surveys.

DMS Program Objectives

Per Joint Review Committee on Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS), the objectives associated with the program based on the program goals are as follows:

Upon the conclusion of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in DMS program, students will:

  • Perform sonographic exams on the abdomen, superficial parts, obstetrics, and gynecology.
  • Maintain patient safety and confidentiality.
  • Understand and apply sonographic principles and instrumentation.

DMS Program Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the program are as follows. Students will:

  • Know and understand the basic principles in sonographic imaging of the abdominal cavity and superficial structures. (Cognitive domain – AB)
  • Perform sonographic exams under guidance from clinical preceptor on the abdominal viscera and superficial structures with basic skills learned in scan lab. (Psychomotor domain – AB)
  • Know and understand the basic principles in sonographic imaging of the fetus and extrafetal-intrauterine normal and abnormal anatomy. (Cognitive domain – OB/Gyn)
  • Perform sonographic exams under guidance from clinical preceptor on obstetrical and gynecological patients. (Psychomotor domain – OB/Gyn)
  • Demonstrate appropriate behaviors related to patient care. (Affective domain AB & OB/Gyn)

What You'll Learn 

Through the DMS program at LSUE, you will

  • Gain knowledge, understanding, application and evaluation of clinical information
  • Gain technical competency in performance of sonographic procedures
  • Learn professional attributes and behaviors to work with patients and other healthcare professionals

Degree Requirements - 71 Total Required Credits

For additional detailed information on coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog Curriculum.

Total Credits Required: 71

Major Courses

  • DMS 1003 - Superficial Structures

  • DMS 1010 - Abdomen I

  • DMS 1011 - DMS Lab I

  • DMS 1091 - Clinical Practicum I

  • DMS 2002 - Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation

  • DMS 2011 - Abdomen II

  • DMS 2012 - DMS Lab II

  • DMS 2013 - Introduction to Vascular Sonography and Hemodynamics

  • DMS 2020 - Gynecology and Obstetrics I

  • DMS 2092 - Clinical Practicum II

  • DMS 2015 - Intermediate Vascular Sonography

  • DMS 2018 - Pediatric Sonography

  • DMS 2021 - Obstetrics II

  • DMS 2093 - Clinical Practicum III

  • ALLH 1013 - Medical Terminology

  • BIOL 1160 - Human Anatomy

  • BIOL 1161 - Human Anatomy Laboratory

  • BIOL 2160 - Human Physiology

  • BIOL 2161 - Human Physiology Laboratory

  • DMS 1000 - Introduction to Sonography

  • PSYC 2070 - Developmental Psychology of the Life Span

  • ENGL 1001 - English Composition

  • MATH 1015 or MATH 1021 - College Algebra

  • PHYS 1001 or PHYS 2001 - Physics

  • General Education Pure Humanities that is not a speech (CMST) or a foreign language course

 

Pinning Ceremony

DMS Pinning

Congratulations to our recent graduates in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Good luck to our amazing graduates!

DMS Program
DMS Pinning
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