Home > Programs and Careers > Health Programs > Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Associate of Applied Science

Proper treatment of healthcare patients always depends on an accurate diagnosis. Sonography is an imaging process, also referred to as ultrasound, that is often used to assist doctors in gathering the information necessary to make a diagnosis. Doctors rely on highly skilled sonographers to perform ultrasounds and gather the necessary data.

As a sonographer, you will assist patients undergoing the procedure and operate the sonography equipment to collect images. You will use your training to provide patient care and scan patients to produce ultrasound images looking for subtle differences between healthy and pathologic areas to provide for the interpreting physician to make a diagnosis.

The LCCC sonography program provides a well-rounded and generalized education that includes training in abdominal (liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas) and obstetrics/gynecology (the female reproductive system and pregnancies). Sonographers may also specialize in vascular (blood flows), pediatrics, breast and musculoskeletal areas.

Graduates of this program are eligible to take the national certification examination in sonographic principles and instrumentation, and specialty examinations in abdomen and in obstetrics and gynecology, which are given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography – extended, and the obstetrics and gynecologic sonography concentrations.
Produce competent, entry-level sonographers who are compassionate, patient-focused members of the healthcare team.
Develop the students’ communication and critical thinking skills necessary in performing quality sonographic exams.
Provide an educational experience to support and comply with the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound and the Scope of Practice for the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional as developed by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Provide students with the knowledge, clinical skills, problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills to practice in the profession of sonography.
Graduate competent, caring sonography professionals who are prepared to pass the ARDMS certification exams in sonographic principles & instrumentation, abdomen and obstetrics & gynecology specialties.
Emphasize to students the importance of continued improvement through professional life-long learning.

Career Opportunities

Most Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work in hospitals, although career opportunities also exist in physician’s offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories.