Student Handbook 2013 - Merced College

E. Objectives
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program faculty believe that the philosophy of the
program can be fulfilled through providing a curriculum that encompasses all the areas
required to prepare students to practice in the professional discipline. Since sonography
is a practice discipline, the objectives will reflect what areas a graduate sonographer will
be competent. The objectives reflect those areas included in the curriculum content as
stated in the Standards and Guidelines for Diagnostic Medical Sonography from the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in
conjunction with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical
Sonography (JRCDMS). At the completion of the Program, the student will be prepared
to practice in the professional discipline because, at a minimum, they are competent in
the following areas:
1. Oral and written communication
2. Provide basic patient care and comfort
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human gross anatomy and
sectional anatomy
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physiology, pathology, and
pathophysiology
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of acoustic physics, Doppler
ultrasound principles, and ultrasound instrumentation
6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interaction between
ultrasound and tissue and the probability of biological effects in clinical
examinations including:
a. Biologic effects
b. Pertinent in-vitro and in-vivo studies
c. Exposure display indices
d. Generally accepted maximum safe exposure levels
e. ALARA principle
7. Employ professional judgment and discretion
8. Understand the fundamental elements for implementing a quality assurance and
Improvement program, and the policies, procedures for the general function of
the ultrasound laboratory, including
a. Administrative procedures
b. Quality control procedures
c. Elements of quality assurance program
d. Records maintenance
e. Personnel and fiscal management
f. Trends in health care systems
9. Recognize the importance of continuing education
10. Recognize the importance of, and employ, ergonomically correct scanning
Techniques
11. Demonstrate the ability to perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen,
superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, and the gravid and nongravid pelvis
according to protocol guidelines established by national professional
organizations and the protocol of the employing institution utilizing real-time
equipment with both transabdominal and endocavitary transducers, and Doppler
display modes.
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