women students at ultrasound machine

Cardiac Sonography

Cardiac Sonography Admission Process

Application Deadline Reminders

August 15 –  for the next Spring Term (January)

Application Procedure

All students must:

  1. Submit a Jackson College application.
  2. Submit a completed Diagnostic Medical Sonography DMS Advising Fact Sheet.
  3. Submit a completed Cardiac Sonography Application Form. This application along with the application fee must be submitted to your Student Success Navigator.
  4. Be a high school graduate or successfully complete the G.E.D. test.
  5. Forward to the Jackson College Admissions Office ALL transcripts from colleges previously attended. Only OFFICIAL transcripts are accepted. It is your responsibility to confirm that your transcripts are on file.
  6. Meet Technical Standards for Admission of the Allied Health Department and Technical Standards and Functions required for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs.

Complete application procedure and detailed information can be found in the application forms.

Due to the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), at this time we cannot offer online courses and/or clinical externships in California.  If you can only attend a clinical externship (a requirement of all DMS programs) in the states listed above, and you are unable to relocate to a participating SARA state, you will be unable to complete a degree in any of our DMS program offerings. If you are willing to relocate to a SARA member state, please contact the Allied Health office at 517.768.7007.

Clinical opportunities are limited to the United States and we cannot serve international clinical placements at this time.

Technical Standards for Admission

The Allied Health Department faculty has specified the following non-academic criteria which applicants generally are expected to meet in order to participate in the Department of Allied Health Sciences programs and professional practice. These technical standards are necessary and essential and have been developed to provide for the health and safety of the patients receiving care from the Allied Health Department program students.

Observation

The applicant must be able to participate in all demonstrations, laboratory exercises and clinical practicum in the clinical component and to assess and comprehend the condition of all patients assigned for examination, diagnosis and treatment.

Communication

The applicant must be able to communicate with patients to effectively elicit patient compliance, understand and assess non-verbal communications; and be able to effectively transmit information to patients, physicians, paraprofessionals, faculty and staff in a timely way.

Psychomotor

The applicant must have motor functions sufficient to elicit information from patients by appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic maneuvers; be able to perform basic tasks; possess all necessary skills to carry out diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; be able to interpret movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergent treatment/actions as necessary for patient safety and comfort.

Intellectual / Conceptual Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

The applicant must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information and observations. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of Allied Health Practitioners, requires all of these cognitive abilities. In addition, the applicant must be able to comprehend three-dimensional structures and understand the spatial relationships of these structures.

Behavior and Social Attributes

The applicant must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities; execute appropriate medical judgment; the prompt completion of assigned or non-assigned responsibilities for care of and service to the patient; and the development of supportive and effective relationships with patients. Applicants must be able to tolerate physical and mental work loads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments and conditions, display flexibility and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical setting and with patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interest and motivation are personal qualities with each applicant should possess.

Admission is not Guaranteed.

Technical Standards and Functions that are Required to Successfully Complete a Degree / Certificate Program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Standards Functions

Vision sufficient to differentiate shades of gray and color and to observe diagnostic real-time images. Vision sufficient to delineate ill-defined structures, borders, anatomical structures and pathological entities in three-dimensional projections. Scanning with real-time sonography system for the purpose of delineating normal anatomical structures from abnormal pathological entities.
Vision sufficient to be able to read and accurately complete reports and charts. Reading and completing of charts, reports and interpretation of requisitions.
Speech sufficient to be understood by others; ability to understand the communication of others. Communicating with patients, and other health care professionals.
Hearing sufficient to differentiate Doppler signals. Conduct Doppler studies of anatomical arterial and venous structures for the purpose of diagnosing abnormal blood flows and pathological states.
Vision and physical coordination sufficient to perform scanning tasks accurately, efficiently and safely. Manipulating of transducer while observing real-time image and conducting diagnostic study.
Sufficient fine motor functions and coordination to perform tasks involving manipulation of scan probes, instrument panels, patient position and safety. Obtaining diagnostic real-time images for diagnostic interpretation.
Sufficient muscle strength, lower back and knee stability to handle patients in a safe manner. Lifting and transferring of patients, physically assisting patients, moving and manipulation of ultrasonography systems.
Sufficient psychological stability and knowledge of techniques/resources to be able to respond appropriately and efficiently in emergent situations in order to minimize dangerous consequences either patient related or environment related. Recognizing and responding appropriately in emergency situations.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time, up to 7-8 hours per day. Scanning requires sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Ability to learn technical, medical, and pathophysiological information. Completion of clinical and didactic components of program requires ability to learn.