Cardiac Sonography

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Cardiac Sonography Admission Process

Jackson College has compiled this information to assist you as you are preparing for the Cardiac Sonography program. Please review this information and acknowledge receipt of the DMS advising fact sheet by signing and returning page 4 to Student Services at Jackson College.

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

Due to the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), at this time we cannot offer online courses and/or clinical externships in the following states:  California, Florida and Massachusetts.  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.

Important Documents

Cardiac Sonography Program Application  DMS Advising Fact Sheet

Application Deadline Reminders

August 31 –  for the next Winter Term (January)

Cardiac Sonography Program – How to Apply

1. Apply to Jackson College

  • Your first step in the process is to complete a Jackson College admission application. Even if you are taking prerequisite courses at another school it is necessary that you complete Jackson College’s application process as soon as possible. This will list you as a prospective DMS candidate.
  • You are encouraged to consult with a Jackson College student success navigator throughout your preadmission program.
  • You must submit the acknowledge receipt of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advising Fact Sheet to Student Services. The acknowledge receipt is a prerequisite document to register for DMS 104.

2. Apply to the Cardiac Sonography Program

  • DMS programs are online second admission programs. This means that there is no guarantee that if you finish all prerequisite requirements that you will be admitted into the program. You are competing against many other students vying for a limited number of annual program slots.
  • The sonography programs, General, Vascular, and Cardiac, accept new students one time a year. The General applications are due annually on January 31 of each year for the May entry. The Vascular applications are due annually on May 31 of each year for the August entry. The Cardiac applications are due annually on August 31 and admit new students in January of each year. Please contact the Allied Health office at 517.768.7007 for details on the various application processes.
  • The General Sonography Program is a four (4) semester program that begins in May of each year and finishes in August of the following year. The Vascular Program is a three (3) semester program that begins in August of each year and finishes in August of the following year. The Cardiac Sonography Program is a three (3) semester program that begins in January of each year and ends in December of that same year.

3. Complete prerequisites

  • If you are transferring prerequisite and general education credits from different colleges/universities you need to be aware that taking a course such as Human Anatomy & Physiology does not guarantee that this class will transfer in as an equivalent at Jackson College. Please contact the Jackson College transcript evaluator at 517.787.0800 ext. 8140 for more information on course equivalencies and the transferability of courses.
  • Most of the pre-requisite courses are offered online. It is important to note that Jackson College’s Biology courses (Human Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology) may be taken in a hybrid format which will require students to come to the Jackson College campus to attend weekly scheduled lab days during the academic semester. If you are unable to come to campus to complete the biology labs it is possible for you to complete a Human Biology or Human Anatomy & Physiology course at a local College or University; however, you must speak with an advisor to confirm that the course will transfer to JC.
  • It is required that you have all General Education and Allied Health Core prerequisite courses completed prior to acceptance into a sonography program. BIO 132 or BIO 155 or BIO 253 & BIO 254, HOC 130 and MOA 120 require a 3.0 or better for admission. You must have MAT 131, BIO 132 or BIO 155 or BIO 253, and signed and submitted the DMS Fact Sheet Acknowledgement Receipt prior to taking DMS 104.

Understanding the Acceptance Process

  • There is no waiting list for these programs. You must reapply each year if you are not accepted into the program after your first application.
  • High grades, related allied health experience, good interviewing skills, and job shadowing experiences positively influences your chances to secure a spot in the program. NOTE: Jackson College does not assist in finding job shadowing opportunities.
  • There are approximately 25 seats available annually within each program; however, the actual number of students accepted into the sonography programs is determined by how many clinical sites are available to host Jackson College students. Most clinical sites are a 1:1 student to clinical site ratio.
  • The General, Vascular and Cardiac Sonography Programs are full-time academic programs. Holding a full-time job is strongly discouraged because of the rigors of the academic and clinical requirements. Students will be expected to attend their clinical education sites between 24 to 32 hours each week while in the program.
  • Students will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screen. An offer of admission can be withdrawn based on the results of the student’s criminal background check and/or a positive drug screen. Admission into Jackson College’s program does not guarantee a student’s eligibility to sit for the ARDMS exam it is the student’s responsibility to verify eligibility directly with ARDMS.
  • Participation of clinical sites varies each year. While Jackson College uses its best efforts to negotiate clinical sites, even after they become available they can become unavailable for reasons beyond the control of Jackson College and in that event Jackson College has no liability. The Allied Health Office makes every attempt to secure and assign students to clinical sites based on the student’s preferences regarding commuting and/or relocation. However, it is not always possible to secure a site within commuting distance therefore students who are open to relocating improve their chances of getting into the program. You are encouraged to view the clinical site information on Jackson College’s website or contact the Allied Health Office regarding clinical site questions.
  • If there are approved accredited sonography programs currently in your area it may be challenging for Jackson College to secure a clinical site in this area. A listing of accredited sonography programs can be viewed on the CAAHEP website at www.caahep.org.
  • The General, Vascular and Cardiac Sonography clinicals are unpaid educational experiences.

If you have any questions please contact the Allied Health Office at 517.768.7007.

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.