Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography 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). 

Commission in Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Fax: (727) 210-2354

The purpose of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at PVCC is to prepare competent, entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains using effective imaging techniques, critical thinking and communication skills, and professionalism for the following concentrations, it offers Abdominal Sonography - Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography.  Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will communicate effectively.

2. Students will apply effective imaging techniques.

3. Student will apply critical thinking skills.

4. Students will demonstrate professionalism. 

The program is academically rigorous, 21-months and spans five semesters. Combining didactic, hands-on, and clinical components, the program prepares students to become highly trained professionals in the field of sonography through a competency-based clinical and didactic instructional curriculum.

Graduates of the program will be eligible for professional certification by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in the Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology (RDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) sonography exam.

Program Effectiveness Data

To successfully complete the classroom and clinical components of the program, the student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program must independently be able to perform all the following essential standards and functions of a registered diagnostic medical sonographer. Students unable to meet these standards are not eligible for admission to the program.

1. Speech: Establish interpersonal rapport and communicate verbally and in writing with clients, physicians, peers, family members, and the healthcare team from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. 
2. Hearing and Comprehension: Auditory acuity sufficient to respond to verbal instruction, perceive and interpret various equipment signals, use the telephone, understand, and respond appropriately to verbal directions and hear faint body sounds.
3. Vision: Visual acuity sufficient to identify and distinguish colors, read handwritten orders and any other handwritten or printed data such as a medical record, provide for the safety of clients' condition by clearly viewing monitors and other equipment in order to correctly interpret data and evaluate sonographic quality.
4. Mobility: Stand and/or walk eight hours daily in the clinical setting. Bend, squat, or kneel. Assist in lifting or moving clients of all age groups and weights. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (move around the client to manually compress chest and ventilate). Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders. Work with arms fully extended overhead. Lift 50 pounds independently and 125 pounds with assistance. 
5. Manual Dexterity: Demonstrate eye/hand coordination sufficient to manipulate equipment. 
6. Fine Motor Ability: Ability to use hands for grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation. Have tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and manipulation of equipment. 
7. Mentation: Ability to remain focused on multiple details and tasks for at least an eight-hour period of time. Assimilate and apply the knowledge acquired through lectures, discussions, and readings.  
8. Smell: Olfactory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. 
9. Writing: Ability to organize thoughts and present them clearly and logically in writing.  
10. Reading: Ability to read and understand written directions, instructions, and comments in both classroom and clinical settings.  
11. Stamina: Ability to stand, sit, and scan in one position for long periods of time.

Any student whose status changes while enrolled and no longer meets the technical standards as outlined above may not be allowed to continue to progress through the program. 

A career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers the individual a rewarding professional career as well as a competitive salary. Please refer to these sources for additional information:

Employment and Salary Statistics 

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This list of expenses is for prospective students to provide an idea of the costs associated with the DMS associate degree program. All dollar amounts are estimates and exact costs may vary. Other expenses may be required.

In addition to tuition and fees, students are responsible for the following items (estimated):

If you are currently pregnant and interested in supporting our students' educational experience by volunteering, please contact Lisa Burrington at lburrington@pvcc.edu for more information.