Graduation Requirements

During the twenty two (22)  months, the student will be required to demonstrate all graduation requirements listed through academic testing and completion of clinical and professional competencies.  The student must maintain acceptable academic standards (minimum 80 % in all subjects) and clinical standards (minimum 85%), exhibit proper professional conduct, and maintain high standards of achievement as outlined in this handbook in order to graduate and to be eligible to apply to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers examination.

1. Use oral and written medical communication
2. Demonstrate adequate knowledge of human structure, function, and pathology.
3. Anticipate and provide basic patient care and comfort.
4. Apply principles of body mechanics in the correct manner.
5. Successfully perform basic mathematical functions. 
6. Correctly operate sonographic imaging equipment and accessory devices.
7. Correctly position the patient and transducer to perform sonographic examinations and procedures.
8. Successfully modify standard procedures to accommodate for patient condition and other variables.
9. Correctly process a sonography study.
10. Correctly, adjust machine functions, transducers, and accessories for various patient conditions to maintain appropriate sonographic quality.
11. Practice the ALARA principle of sonography exposure for the patient, self and others at all times.
12. Successfully recognize emergency patient conditions, initiate first aid, and basic life support procedures.
13. Evaluate sonographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
14. Evaluate the performance of sonographic systems, know the safe limits of equipment operation, and report malfunctions to the proper authority.
15. Demonstrate knowledge and skills relating to quality assurance.
16. Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures.
17. Understand sound wave production and interactions.
18. Support and practice the SDMS professional Code of Ethics.
19. Completely satisfy tuition balance to equal zero
20. Successfully complete all final clinical competencies.
21. Maintain an academic average of 80% or higher.
22. Maintain a clinical average of 85% or higher
23. Not exceed the maximum sick days according to program policy 
24. The sonography student is required to successfully sit for and pass the Sonography Physical Principles Examination 
25. The sonography student is required to successfully sit for and pass one ARDMS specialty examination