Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Technician performing an abdominal ultrasound

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Quick Facts

Certification:

American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Areas Learned:

Abdomen
Breast
Adult Cardiac
OB/GYN
Vascular
Small Parts

Earning Potential:

Median $75,380/year

Time Frame

3,120 Clock Hours (2.5 Years)
Begins each January

Location:

📌Adult Main Campus

Total Estimated Cost:

Total Cost: $27,170

Admission Info:

Pre-Requisites:

College Math Course
Anatomy and Physiology
English or Communications
Medical Terminology
Physics

WorkKeys Requirements:

Applied Math - 5
Graphic Literacy - 4
Workplace Docs - 5

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Accreditations:

Program Overview

This program prepares students to become Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, using ultrasound technology to produce images of various body parts. The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, sonography principles, and hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). The 2.5-year, full-time program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the healthcare field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $75,380 in May 2020. However, starting salaries for newly-graduated diagnostic medical sonographers can vary depending on location, employer, and experience level.

What do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers do?

Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:

Prepare patients by explaining the procedure to them and answering their questions
Prepare exam rooms and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
Properly situate patients for imaging
Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
Analyze results for abnormalities and other diagnostic information and provide a summary of findings to physicians
Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Faculty

Tracie Runyon BA, RDMS (AB, OB, BR), RVT

Faculty Information

Location(s)

Adult Education Center, Adult Education Center, Adult Education Annex

Department(s)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Program Directors

Title(s)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director

Contact Information

School Email

(Primary)

School Phone

(740) 867-6641 x354

Education

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts, Marshall University 2012
Certificate, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Collins Career Technical Center 2007

Stephanie Dickess AS, RDMS (AB, OB), RVT, RCS

Faculty Information

Location(s)

Adult Education Center, Adult Education Center, Adult Education Annex

Department(s)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Title(s)

DMS Clinical Coordinator

Employed Since

2019

Contact Information

School Email

(Primary)

School Phone

(740) 867-6641 x526

Education

Degree(s)

Associates of Science, Ohio University 2015
Certificate, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Collins Career Technical Center 2017

Goals and Objectives

Mission Statement

In keeping with the mission of Collins Career Technical Center and the Lawrence County Board of Education policy, the Sonography Program is committed to providing its students with a well-rounded education in the areas of Abdominal, OBGYN, Small-Parts, Adult Cardiac and Vascular Learning Concentrations of Diagnostic Medical Sonography principles. Included as well are the opportunities for the student to develop advanced medical imaging skills to prepare the graduate for employment in the field of Medical Sonography. The faculty members of the Sonography Program are committed to assisting the student toward the most significant academic, personal, and professional potential through quality courses and instruction.

Program Goals

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations. To prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is 2.5 years in length and students are exempt from class in July. With the completion of the program, students will be eligible for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the areas of physics, abdomen, OB/GYN, adult cardiac and vascular imaging. After a main specialty is passed, students can test in a subspecialty such as pediatrics.

Length of Course

The Diagnostic Imaging Program is a 2.5 year program beginning in January of each year. Students do not attend during the month of July. If the student does not have all of the pre-requisite classes, they can take them in the Fall before the start of their first year. Prerequisite classes must be taken, completed, and passed with a C or better before the program starts in January. Classes meet Monday through Thursday at the Main Campus from 8 am until 4 pm.

Courses

Course Prerequisites

The classes listed in the "General Education Prerequisite" section are required to complete the DMS program at Collins Career Technical Center and must be completed before the start of the DMS program. These classes can be taken at almost any college or university (as long as the course is complementary to what is required), and we normally accept transfer credits. Supplying transcripts for verification and approval is part of the admissions process. Upon completion, students will be issued a certificate of completion in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Advanced Placement Guidelines

Students requesting admission to the school via transfer from another approved Diagnostic Medical Sonography school shall meet the school's current admission requirements and curriculum requirements for currently enrolled students.
Students must submit an official transcript from an approved school listing completed courses.
Students must submit copies of course outlines for which they request credit. Faculty will review transcripts and outlines to determine admission.
Challenge examinations and skills assessments will be required to determine applicants' competencies.
Tuition and fees will be determined on an individual basis.
An applicant may be considered for admission with advanced standing if:
- The applicant withdrew at the end of the term in a previous class with a passing grade in all courses. (It must have been within the last year. If over one year, the applicant must start at the beginning of the program.) OR
- The applicant is a direct transfer from another school.

To apply for advanced standing, the applicant must

Meet with faculty to determine admission.
Applicants shall be admitted with advanced standing if there is an opening in the program and a plan can be developed that ensures that all the program objectives can be met.
Students may request a transfer of college credits for Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Basic Physics, and College Algebra. To accept credit for these courses, students must meet the following guidelines:
- The course must have been completed at an accredited college.
- The course must have been completed within the last five years. (If over five years ago, the student may be able to test our at the instructor's discretion.)
- Finally, the course must have been completed with a grade of "C" or above.

2025-2026 Course Schedule

Application Checklist

Program Effectiveness Data

Clinical Experience

Clinical Sites

Adena Medical Center - All Locations
Clinton Memorial Hospital - Wilmington OH
Charleston Area Medical Center- All locations
Kings Daughters Medical Center - Ashland, KY
Southern Ohio Medical Center - All locations
Mountain Health Area Hospitals
Huntington and Chillicothe VA Medical Centers

Clinical Obligations

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs at Collins Career Technical Center encompasses five (5) full semesters and three (3) Spring Intercessions at the sponsoring institution’s Chesapeake campus. The clinical education component of the program is completed beginning in the first semester after an 8 week didactic session. The schedule rotates every eight weeks between class/clinical time.

Students are expected to attend all clinical assignments, arrive on time at the clinical site, and be prepared to start their clinical training on time. Students are expected to attend during regularly scheduled classes or clinical time. Students will follow the sponsoring institution’s academic calendar regarding vacations. The sponsoring institution normally schedules breaks for the following: a spring break the week of Easter, a summer break the month of July, a fall break for the Thanksgiving Holiday, and a two-week winter break for the Christmas/New Year Holidays. However, the breaks are subject to change. The student is not required to attend clinicals during scheduled breaks. The sponsoring institution observes the following holidays during the semesters: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (subject to change).

Students will be expected to follow the guidelines of the clinical rotation policy. Students will not be asked to travel outside of a 3-hour radius of the sponsoring institution. Rotation plans are based on experiences provided by the clinical affiliate and the examination needs of the student. Rotation assignments/clinical schedules are completed for the upcoming semester of clinical experience 2-3 weeks before clinical rotations begin. Changes to the rotation plan are up to the clinical coordinator's and the program director's discretion. Students may be required to have an annual background check and drug screening and demonstrate documentation of current vaccinations required for clinical rotations as stated in the sponsoring institution’s admission policy.

Health Standards

All students are required to complete an individual student health questionnaire. For the DMS Program, students must secure a physical examination before program acceptance. Students should be healthy enough to pursue the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program successfully.

Technical / Clinical Standards

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers function in a broad spectrum of clinical situations. To ensure patient safety and provide accurate diagnostic information, sonographers must be able to adapt and perform in a variety of settings. Therefore, specific skills and abilities are needed to function as a professional sonographer. The following are non-academic criteria that all Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program students must meet to participate in the clinical courses and professional practice.

Physical Activity

Long periods of standing and frequent walking.
Repetitive motion activities (scanning, entering computer data) Grasping (positioning patients for exams)
Pulling and pushing on equipment and stretchers.
Lifting more than 50 pounds routinely.
Speaking in a clear, understandable manner.
Performing fine gross motor skills with both hands.
Receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
Work with printed and written documentation.
Hearing differences in breathing sounds and Doppler functions on the machine Assess patient conditions, i.e., color, respirations, motion, etc.
Visually discriminate shades of gray and various shades of color.
Visual assessment of images on computer terminals and video recordings.

Communication

Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and others.
Assess non-verbal communication.
Effectively and efficiently transmit information to patients, fellow students, faculty, and all healthcare team members while keeping within the confidentiality guidelines.

Intellectual and Quantitative Abilities

Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize.
Comprehend three-dimensional relationships

Cost

FAQs

Can I work while I am in the program?

A general College guideline indicates that students taking 12 or more Hours (full-time) may find working while going to school challenging. The curriculum of this program is considered a high degree of difficulty, and it is suggested a student not be employed while taking this program. However, the student will have weekends free, and it is not the practice of the school to deny a student seeking employment as long as the student can complete the course requirements successfully, as stated in the Program Requirements for Graduation. Therefore, during the final semester of the program, if a clinical site wishes to hire a student and the work schedule is independent of the student's ability to complete their class work to obtain graduation successfully, it will be permitted.
Students may not take either the responsibility or the place of qualified staff. It is only permissible for a student to work as an entry-level sonographer with adequate training and competency.

What happens if I become pregnant during the DMS Program?

The Pregnancy Policy states any restriction indicated by the student's physician must be provided in writing to the Program Director. After delivery, the physician must provide a release note identifying any activity restriction or stating when the student is permitted to resume regular activity. Each student's pregnancy plan may differ depending on the baby's due date and whether the student would be in the clinical or classroom setting.

How long will it take to start the clinical portion of my program?

Can I re-enter the program if I withdraw?

What facilities are used for the DMS clinical experience?

Will I do all my training at one hospital?

How far do students have to travel for their clinical rotations?

Clinical rotations will be divided equally among all students based on the type of rotation needed and the experience available in different departments. It is the responsibility of the Program Director and/or the Clinical Coordinator to assign clinical rotations for all students. Students must expect to have a few rotations that require some distance to travel (approximately 3 hours one-way).

Is transportation provided to the clinical site?

How long does it take to complete the sonography program?

How does CCTC's sonography program differ from other sonography programs?

CCTC's DMS Program offers study areas in abdominal-extended, ob/gyn, vascular and adult cardiac imaging without the students needing to make a choice, providing a well rounded education. Students will gain both classroom and clinical experience in these areas and be eligible for the national ultrasound board exams in all areas. This will make the student more marketable to area medical facilities.

Is there a laboratory on campus?

The medical sonography scan lab at CCTC is state-of-the-art. Students have the unique opportunity to practice their skills on up-to-date ultrasound equipment. Actual hands-on scanning begins on the very first day of the sonography program. Under close supervision by faculty, students are instructed on how to begin the sonographic examination, proper imaging technique, and the ergonomics of scanning.

Can I attend the program part-time?

How many students are accepted into the program each year?

Can I find a job when I graduate?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor has stated that imaging professionals are in great demand, and the need is increasing as medical imaging has seen a significant increase in examination volume, due to an aging population and preventative care. Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2023 as the population ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. Collins Career Technical Center's job placement program will assist the student in any way they can. The student will also receive assistance in writing a resume and the interview process.

What is the expected rate of salary?

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs at Collins Career Technical Center are 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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