Technical Standards

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The diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) students should be able to meet the following technical standards. The technical standards for the DMS program represent those found in the profession. Prospective students should judge their capabilities with those required of a sonographer. If an applicant or student cannot meet the outlined technical standards, they may be withdrawn from the program.

Definition of a Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers are committed to enhanced patient care and continuous quality improvement that increases knowledge and technical competence. Diagnostic medical sonographers use independent, professional, ethical judgment and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonographic procedures.

Diagnostic medical sonography is a multi-specialty profession comprised of abdominal sonography, breast sonography, cardiac sonography, obstetrics/gynecology sonography, pediatric sonography, phlebology sonography, vascular technology/sonography, and other emerging clinical areas. These diverse areas all use ultrasound as a primary technology in their daily work.

Sonographers must be committed to increasing knowledge and technical competence (e.g., through continuing medical education and staying abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and advancements in the profession). Sonographers use independent, professional, and ethical judgment and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonographic examinations, procedures, and associated tasks. Despite the commonality of ultrasound technology across the field of sonography, the bodies of knowledge, technical skills, and competencies of sonographers vary by sonography specialty areas. The sonographer should demonstrate competence through appropriate education, training, and experience in all diagnostic sonographic examinations, procedures, and associated tasks performed.

The diagnostic medical sonographer:

  • Functions as a delegated agent of the physician; and
  • Does not practice independently (SDMS, 2023, pp. 1-2).

Certification

DMS students must take at least two (2) board exams through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS): the Sonography Physics and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and a specialty exam. Students who successfully complete the MCHP DMS program will qualify to sit for both the Abdomen (AB) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) ARDMS specialty examinations.

Physical Requirements

Sonographers perform physically demanding tasks during ultrasound examinations, requiring strength, dexterity, and endurance to ensure accurate imaging and patient comfort. Meeting these physical requirements allows sonographers to perform their duties effectively, ensuring optimal imaging quality, patient comfort, and safety during ultrasound examinations.

  • Vision:
    • See clearly at close proximity, at a distance, in color, peripherally, demonstrate depth perception and ability to adjust focus
    • Visual acuity to include color distinctions and gradual changes in black and gray
    • Visually monitor patients in dimmed light
    • Use sophisticated hand-eye coordination to manipulate the transducer and the machine control panel simultaneously
  • Auditory:
    • Ability to hear auditory signals from the ultrasound machine
    • Ability to distinguish auditory differences in Doppler signals
  • Stamina:
    • Stand/walk for several hours at a time (50%-80% of day)
    • Perform CPR
    • Stoop and bend
    • Move/walk/run quickly in emergencies
    • Reach overhead
    • Position body away from neutral for short periods of time
  • Strength:
    • Transport patients by wheelchair and stretcher
    • Move heavy equipment
    • Lift or exert force up to 50 pounds
  • Repetition:
    • Tolerate repetitive use of hands, arms, and shoulders
    • Apply downward pressure for an extended period of time
    • Grip a transducer for prolonged periods of time
  • Fine Motor Movements:
    • Full use of hands, wrists, and shoulders
    • Able to perform fine motor movements with precision to manipulate the ultrasound transducer
    • Ability to keep hand, wrists, arms, and shoulder steady in order to obtain images in a small area
    • Excellent multi-limb coordination
  • Ergonomics:
    • Willingness to implement injury-preventative practices
  • Touch:
    • Lean on, touch, and contact a patient’s body in order to optimize body ergonomics
    • Touches the patient to palpate masses and areas of concern
    • Position/move/adjust patients using principles of safe body mechanics
    • Transfer patients from wheelchairs to a hospital bed, stretchers to bed, and vice versa, using principles of safe body mechanics

Communication Requirements

Effective communication is essential for establishing rapport with patients, collaborating with colleagues, and ensuring accurate transmission of clinical information. By meeting these communication requirements, sonographers can establish trust, facilitate shared decision-making, and promote positive patient experiences while ensuring the delivery of high-quality care.

  • Listen and comprehend spoken and written English
  • Obtain relevant patient clinical history
  • Communicate clearly in English with patients and other healthcare professionals in the healthcare setting (i.e., darkened rooms, operating rooms with a surgical mask in place, in rooms with background noise, around partitions in rooms, etc.)
  • Collaborate with others
  • Demonstrates sensitivity towards individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Hear and communicate instructions to patients
  • Read and analyze patient records
  • Eloquently writes preliminary reports using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and correct medical and sonographic terminology for the reading provider
  • Writes on and in patient charts using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and correct medical and sonographic terminology
  • Recognize and respond to emergent situations
  • Practice active listening
  • Pay attention to nonverbal cues, adapting communication style and approach to match the patient’s emotional state and comfort level

Intellectual Requirements

These intellectual requirements, combined with technical skills and clinical experience, form the foundation for competent and proficient sonographic practice.

  • Ability to collect, interpret, and integrate information and make decisions
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • Ability to analyze complex clinical scenarios
  • Ability to adapt scanning protocols from normal during an examination
  • Ability to adapt scanning protocols based on patient history and current patient symptoms
  • Independent ability to troubleshoot technical issues
  • Developed ability to recognize patterns
  • Integrate findings with clinical information
  • Maintain ethical guidelines
  • Effectively manage workload and prioritize tasks
  • Must be adaptable to changes in technology, patient populations, and clinical environments
  • Flexibility when responding to patient needs
  • Uses rote memorization and recall in fulfilling exam protocols

Critical Thinking Requirements

Critical thinking is crucial for sonographers to analyze complex clinical scenarios, interpret sonographic images accurately, and make informed diagnostic decisions. These critical thinking requirements enable sonographers to navigate the complexities of diagnostic imaging effectively, contribute to accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, and ultimately enhance patient care outcomes.

  • Analyze information objectively
  • Accept, react appropriately, and implement constructive criticism
  • Identify cause-and-effect relationships
  • Comprehend and follow instructions
  • Evaluate patient history, clinical symptoms, and relevant medical records to formulate appropriate scanning protocols
  • Proficiently interpret sonographic images, including recognition of normal anatomy, variations, and pathological findings across various body systems
  • Capacity to identify technical challenges during imaging procedures
  • Implement appropriate adjustments to optimize image quality and diagnostic accuracy
  • Skilled in generating a differential diagnosis based on sonographic findings
  • Capability to critically analyze sonographic findings in the context of clinical history, physical examination, and other diagnostic tests to determine their significance and relevance to patient care
  • Ability to assess image quality and artifacts
  • Integrate evidence-based guidelines to make informed decisions
  • Recognize limitations of ultrasound imaging in its sensitivity, specificity, and potential pitfalls to avoid overinterpretation or misdiagnosis
  • Ability to adapt to changing clinical environments, patient needs, and technological advancements while remaining flexible
  • Synthesize sonographic information during image acquisition
  • Makes safe judgments

Professionalism

Professionalism is essential for creating a positive patient experience, maintaining ethical standards, and fostering effective teamwork. By embodying these professionalism requirements, sonographers contribute to a positive work environment, uphold the reputation of their profession, and ultimately enhance the quality of patient care.

  • Maintains professional appearance
  • Arrives at scheduled assignments on time
  • Fulfills professional obligations
  • Committed to injury prevention
  • Follows Standard Precautions
  • Performs hand hygiene
  • Provides patient-centered, compassionate care
  • Establishes a professional working relationship with the healthcare team
  • Prioritizes the needs of patients
  • Ensures patient comfort, dignity, and well-being
  • Respectfully communicates with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals
  • Committed to ongoing professional development
  • Take accountability for one’s actions, to include errors and oversights
  • Actively seeks solutions to improve performance
  • Engages in quality improvement initiatives
  • Values diversity and cultural differences
  • Safeguards patient confidentiality and privacy by maintaining strict adherence to HIPAA regulations
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and colleagues
  • Collaborates effectively with members of the healthcare team
  • Resolves conflicts or disagreements in a constructive and professional manner
  • Serves as a role model for colleagues and students
  • Demonstrate impulse control and a professional level of maturity

Ethical Guidelines

Ethical guidelines are essential for ensuring that sonographers conduct themselves with integrity, respect, and professionalism while providing patient care. By adhering to these ethical guidelines, sonographers can promote trust, integrity, and professionalism in their practice while ensuring the well-being and dignity of their patients.

  • Respects patients’ rights
  • Maintains strict confidentiality (HIPAA)
  • Obtains informed consent from patients or their legal guardians before performing ultrasound examinations
  • Treat all patients with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of age, gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status, or medical condition
  • Uphold high standards of professional integrity, honesty, and transparency
  • Take measures to minimize the risk of harm to patients
  • Recognize when additional expertise or specialized consultation is warranted
  • Advocate for patients’ best interests
  • Complies with the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS, 2017)

Accommodations

Students with a documented disability who wish to request reasonable accommodations to have access to the programs and services offered by the College must register with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator by calling (207)330-7878 (TTD 207-741-5667) to schedule an appointment.
 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Section