Wisconsin Caregiver Law
NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.
Clinical Experience
. Students will be required to purchase a uniform, pay for liability insurance, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Students may be expected to travel distances for clinical experience.
. Students are required to complete an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course prior to clinical experiences. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements.
Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
Board/Certification Examinations
Graduates are qualified to take the Obstetric/Gynecology, Abdomen, and Physics Boards through the Association of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Requirements for Program Application
. Completed application and all items listed below.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. As a requirement for program application, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) or ACT assessment with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary within the last three years. Academic Skills Assessment program benchmarks of Reading Comprehension: 90; Arithmetic: 70; Sentence Skills: 84; Algebra: 63, or minimum standard composite score of 22 on the ACT (minimum of Math 21, Reading 21, English 21), must be met prior to submitting an application. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation may be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
. Two semesters in high school, or one semester in college of Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry with a grade of "B" or better.
. Enrolled in Physics at time of application (see 'Requirements for Entry' for additional information).
Candidates submitting applications to the DMS program must also provide:
. Three references from professional or academic experiences submitted on NWTC forms.
. An essay (no more than 1,000 words) completed on campus in the Assessment Center. The essay must explain why their interest in, and how their knowledge of the profession, experience in healthcare, specific skills and duties of a sonographer, and characteristics make them a good candidate for the program.
The DMS program follows a competitive enrollment process whereby candidate applications are reviewed by a selection committee. Candidates are ranked in the following categories: Assessment, Math/Science, Essays, References. The highest ranking candidates will be offered a place on the program wait list. Remaining candidates will have the opportunity to re-apply.
Requirements for Program Entry
. Two semesters in high school, or one semester in college of Physics with a grade of "B" or better.
Attend mandatory spring program orientation.
. Complete physical examination within three months before entering program and maintain current immunization information.
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. Complete mandatory four-hour job shadow.
Suggested Skills for Success
Students are expected to have entry-level computer skills. It is recommended that students complete basic computer skills coursework if deficient in this area.
Curriculum
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree is a two-year, two-summer, six-semester program. Upon graduation a student will have completed 70 credits.
SUMMER SEMESTER
10-804-195 College Algebra w Apps
3
10-806-143 College Physics 1
3
FIRST SEMESTER
* 10-501-101 Medical Terminology
3
* 10-526-200 DMS-Intro to DMS
3
* 10-526-210 Cross Sectional Anatomy
2
* 10-526-221 Sonography Physics 1
3
* 10-806-177 Gen Anatomy & Physiology
4
SECOND SEMESTER
* 10-526-207 Abdominal Sonography
4
* 10-526-208 OB/GYN Sonography 1
3
* 10-526-222 Sonography Physics 2
2
* 10-526-223 Vascular Imaging 1
3
* 10-806-179 Adv Anatomy & Physiology
4
SUMMER SEMESTER
* 10-526-203 Scanning with Proficiency
1
10-801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Comm
3
THIRD SEMESTER
* 10-526-209 DMS Clinical Experience 1
2
* 10-526-211 Superficial Sonography
2
* 10-526-212 OB/GYN Sonography 2
3
* 10-526-213 DMS Clinical Experience 2
4
10-809-198 Intro to Psychology
3
FOURTH SEMESTER
* 10-526-215 DMS Clinical Experience 3
4
* 10-526-216 DMS Clinical Experience 4
2
* 10-526-224 Vascular Imaging 2
3
10-801-136 English Composition 1
3
10-809-172 Race Ethnic & Diversity
3
Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than "C" is acceptable in any of the courses marked with an asterisk. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.
10-501-101 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ...focuses on the component parts of medical terms: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.
10-526-200 INTRO TO DMS ...introduces learners to the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Explores the duties and functions of the diagnostic medical sonographer as well as the historical background. Learners examine the other imaging modalities as they relate to sonography. Includes principles of patient care and legal and ethical issues related to sonography. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program)
10-526-203 SCANNING WITH PROFICIENCY ...provides learners with the opportunity to enhance their technical skills, accuracy, and proficiency in scanning the abdominal organs and female pelvis of the human body. This is a scanning course dedicated in continuing to prepare the learner for their first clinical experience. (Prerequisites: 10-526-207, Abdominal Sonography; 10-526-208, OB/GYN Sonography 1)
10-526-207 ABDOMINAL SONOGRAPHY ...prepares learners to perform ultrasounds of the abdominal organs including liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, spleen, urinary tract, aorta and retroperitoneum. Practice scan sessions included. (Prerequisites: 10-526-200, Intro to DMS; 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-177, Gen Anatomy & Physiology. Corequisite: 10-806-179, Adv Anatomy & Physiology)
10-526-208 OB/GYN SONOGRAPHY 1 ...prepares learners to perform ultrasounds of the nongravid uterus and the first-trimester pregnancy. Explores the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the female reproductive system as well as intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies. (Prerequisites: 10-524-204, DMS-Intro to DMS; 10-526-205, DMS-Patient Care & Ethics; 10-501-101, Medical Terminology; 10-806-177, Gen Anatomy & Physiology; Corequisite: 10-806-179, Adv Anatomy & Physiology)
10-526-209 DMS CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 1 ...opportunities to apply scanning skills in a clinical setting. Students concentrate on ultrasound examinations of the abdominal organs. Participation in this course will take place at a hospital or clinic. (Prerequisites: 10-526-206, DMS-Sono Physics & Instrument; 10-526-207, DMS-Abdominal Sonography; 10-526-208, DMS-OB/GYN Sonography 1)
10-526-210 CROSS SECTIONAL ANATOMY ...introduces cross sectional anatomy as related to Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Includes correlating images from other imaging modalities. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.)
10-526-211 SUPERFICIAL SONOGRAPHY ...investigates superficial structure imaging. Includes anatomy, pathophysiology, and sonographic evaluation. Prepared learner to perform ultrasounds of the thyroid, breast, male reproductive system, musculoskeletal system, and GI tract. (Prerequisites: 10-526-207, DMS-Abdominal Sonography; 10-526-206, DMS-Sono Physics & Instrument; 10-526-210, DMS-Cross Sectional Anatomy)
10-526-212 OB/GYN SONOGRAPHY 2 ...prepares learners to perform ultrasounds of the second and third-trimester pregnancy. Explores the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the female pelvis and the developing fetus. (Prerequisite: 10-526-208, DMS-OB/GYN Sonography 1)
10-526-213 DMS CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 2 ...further experience in a clinical setting allows the student to continue to improve technical skills while accepting more responsibilities during scanning procedures. (Corequisite: 10-526-209, DMS-DMS Clinical 1)
10-526-215 DMS CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 3 ...provides further opportunity for students to expand their skills in a clinical setting. Students begin to function as team members under the guidance of the instructor and authorized clinical personnel. (Prerequisite: 10-526-213, DMS-DMS Clinical 2)
10-526-216 DMS CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 4 ...prepares the student to assume the role of a sonographer. This course enhances the student's scanning and employee skills through clinical practice. Serves as a transition between student and employee. (Corequisite: 10-526-215, DMS-DMS Clinical 3)
10-526-221 SONOGRAPHY PHYSICS 1 ...introduces physics and instrumentation relevant to diagnostic medical sonography. Learners explore how principles of sound propagation in tissues create a sonographic image. (Prerequisite: 10-806-143, College Physics 1)
10-526-222 SONOGRAPHY PHYSICS 2 ...continues the study of physics and instrumentation relevant to diagnostic medical sonography. The laboratory component of this course introduces the student to the concepts of ultrasound instrumentation, an introduction to ultrasonic scanning technique, and maintenance of ultrasound equipment. (Prerequisite: 10-526-221, Sonography Physics 1)
10-526-223 VASCULAR IMAGING 1 ...introduces the principles of vascular sonographic imaging. Learners perform a variety of peripheral vascular arterial and venous duplex exams. (Prerequisites: 10-526-200, Intro to DMS; 10-526-210, Cross Sectional Anatomy; 10-526-221, Sonography Physics 1)
10-526-224 VASCULAR IMAGING 2 ...prepares learners to perform abdominal vascular and physiologic peripheral vascular exams. (Prerequisite: 10-526-223, Vascular Imaging 1)
10-804-195 COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS ...skills needed for success in Calculus and many application areas on a baccalaureate level. Topics include the real and complex number systems, polynomials, exponents, radicals, solving equations and inequalities (linear and nonlinear), relations and functions, systems of equations and inequalities (linear and nonlinear), matrices, graphing, conic sections, sequences and series, combinatories, and the binomial theorem. (Prerequisites: Recommendation: Accuplacer (College Level Math) = 63 OR Completion of 10-804-118, Intermediate Algebra w Apps or 10-804-131, Math-Algebra/Inter with grade "C" or better) 3 cr.
10-806-143 COLLEGE PHYSICS 1 ...presents the applications and theory of basic physics principles. This course emphasizes problem solving, laboratory investigation and applications. Topics include laboratory safety, unit conversions and analysis, kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, power, temperature, and heat. (Prerequisite: Recommendation: 10-804-110 Elementary Algebra with Apps with a grade of "C" or better OR High School level Algebra with a grade of "C" or better) 3 cr.
10-806-177 GENERAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY ...overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry OR 10-806-155, Chemistry-Basic OR High School Chemistry with a "C" or better OR College Chemistry transfer credit with a grade of "C" or better) 4 cr.
10-806-179 ADVANCED ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY ...normal human anatomy and physiology are studied using a body systems approach with emphasis on the interrelationships between form and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, Gen Anatomy & Physiology, with a "C" or better) 4 cr.
10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.
10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. 3 cr.
10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. 3 cr.
10-809-172 RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY ...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. 3 cr.