Sonography Program

Most LCCC HSW students must complete clinical rotations for program completion.  These clinical rotations occur in clinical settings with clinical sites that have agreed to provide these educational experiences for LCCC students. In order to ensure the safest environment possible for their patients and staff, many of these clinical settings have included COVID-19 in their list of clinical clearance requirements, with limited exemptions available for students and employees. Because all clinical hours and/or clinical competencies must be completed to meet program requirements, this means you may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption on file to enter and/or progress in the Radiography program. For additional information, regarding these requirements, please see the Health Sciences & Wellness Policies Handbook, Addendum and the Clinical Site COVID-19 FAQs.

photo of a faculty member pointing at a screen while a student does an ultrasound on a partner in the Sonography Lab on campus.

What is Sonography?

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the human body. Sonographers use state-of-the-art technology to scan patients and obtain images of the abdomen, heart, blood vessels and fetus to aid in the diagnosis of a disease.

A diagnostic medical sonographer performs ultrasound exams while working closely with a qualified physician for aiding in the diagnosis of disease. 

What will I learn?

Sonography students gain in-depth knowledge of physics, disease processes, human anatomy and sonographic technique. Students learn to operate the technology and create an ultrasound image. Physicians depend on the sonographer’s knowledge to evaluate normal and abnormal body parts. Sonography is a profession that requires a high degree of independence, judgment, knowledge, maturity and stamina. 

 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate of Applied Science

The 24-month (six semesters) program is an intensive program designed for individuals new to patient care.  After acceptance into the program, the first year (three semesters) is didactic on campus with hands-on learning in LCCC's state of the art sonography lab with highly qualified registered sonographers/instructors.  The last three semesters of the program are primarily clinical experience, and students may be placed in various hospitals and clinics in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Montana. 

The program has limited enrollment and admits one class each summer. Prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress prior to application for program admission. Prospective students interested in the program may contact the program director for details about the program admission process and timeline.

Selection of new students will be completed by the end of March and based on:

  • a student's prerequisite grade point average
  • prerequisites completed or in-progress at time of application
  • additional criteria as noted on program application materials
  • an interview 

Available at the Cheyenne main campus.

Apply to the Sonography Program

What can I do with this degree?

Sonographers typically work in hospitals, medical clinics and private medical offices.

Visit Career Coach for additional information about Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Visit LCCC's Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.

Mission

The LCCC DMS program is dedicated to providing quality education for its students in order to promote excellence in the art and science of sonography. Guided by the mission of the college, the program strives to provide academic and clinical experiences that produce competent and compassionate sonographers with a commitment to the performance of quality imaging and the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Program Goals & Objectives

The LCCC DMS program's goal is to prepare competent general and vascular entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Graduates will be able to perform, at a minimum, the following objectives:

Goal 1: Graduates of this program will be technically proficient, being able to consistently produce images of high diagnostic quality.

Outcome

  1. Students will obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
  2. Students will optimize and record anatomic and physiologic information in accordance to industry standards.
  3. Students will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Goal 2: Graduates of this program will demonstrate communication skills.

Outcome

  1. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and all members of the healthcare team.
  2. Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.

Goal 3: Students will provide consistent, high quality patient care.

Outcomes:

  1. Students will provide customer relations skills in patient care and assessment.
  2. Students will employ a safe work environment.

Goal 4: Students will conduct themselves ethically and professionally.

Outcomes:

  1. Students will act in a professional manner within recognized ethical and legal standards.
  2. Students will demonstrate a respect for diversity and the ability to work with others and special patient populations.

Goal 5: Graduates of the program will be successfully employed in general and vascular entry-level positions.

Outcomes:

  1. Students will pass the ARDMS SPI on the first attempt.
  2. Students will pass two of the ARDMS specialty exams prior to graduation (AB, OB, VT)
  3. Students will pass one additional ARDMS specialty exam within 6 months post-graduation.
  4. Of those pursuing employment, students will be gainfully employed within 6 months post-graduation. 

 

Effectiveness Measure Annual Rate 
(Class of 2022)
Four Year Rate 
(2018-2022)
Credentialing Examination Pass Rate - Abdomen 11/11 = 100% 42/43=97.6%
Credentialing Examination Pass Rate – Obstetrics and Gynecology 8/8 = 100% 37/38= 97.3%
Sonography Principle and Instrumentation Pass Rate 11/11 = 100% 42/43 = 97.6%
Credentialing Examination Pass Rate - Vascular Technology 8/8 = 100% 27/33 = 81.8%
Job Placement Rate (Graduates actively seeking employment within 12 months) 11/11 = 100% 43/43= 100%
Program Attrition Rate 11/12 = 91.7% 42/51 = 82%

The LCCC DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). Acceptance into the program is dependent on the number of clinical sites available each year. Nearly 100 percent of students are employed immediately upon or prior to graduation from the program. The program begins a new class in the summer.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St., N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350

Graduates of this program, as general and vascular entry-level sonographers, will provide quality patient care and perform quality sonographic examinations. The job function may require the ability tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads. The ability to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and function effectively under stress and in uncertain conditions also are important job requirements. In order to satisfy the requirements of the position and those of the program, certain essential functions must be performed in a satisfactory manner.

Technical Standards

The student must have the ability to:
  • Analyze and comprehend medical and technical material and instructions.
  • Communicate effectively with patients and various members of a health care team team, including the ability to perceive nonverbal communication.
  • Set up and manipulate sonographic equipment in a safe, reliable and efficient manner.
  • Practice and apply appropriate safety measures.
  • Perceive the relationships of internal organs in order to obtain sonographic exams of diagnostic value.
  • Sufficiently monitor the patient and machine controls from a distance of 20 inches in a darkened room.
  • Detect and monitor vital signs and receive communication from patients and members of the health care team.
  • Sufficiently communicate to relay instruction and/or needs promptly and efficiently to patient and health care workers.
  • Recognize and respond to adverse changes in patient condition, including those requiring emergency medical intervention.
  • Prepare and maintain sonographic reports and records.
  • Perform gross and fine motor skills and movements to:
    • manipulate equipment by pushing buttons, operating keyboards, and turning dials.
    • simultaneously manipulate controls with one hand and manipulate the transducer with the other hand.
    • maintain steady pressure on the patient.
    • stretch around/over patients and carts to achieve optimal scanning planes yet maintain contract with the machine controls.
    • transfer, move or lift patients from wheelchairs or stretchers to the exam table or patient bed.
    • lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
    • stand or walk a minimum of 50% of clinical time.
    • push heavy equipment across carpeted floors and up ramps.
  • Perform satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to:
    • review images for acceptability for diagnostic purposes and evaluate for completeness of examinations.
    • utilize independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of sonography procedures.
    • adapt to changing environments such as flexible schedules and emergency conditions.
  • Respect the confidentiality of patient and demonstrate integrity, a motivation to serve, and a concern for others.
The work of a sonographer involves risks and discomforts that require special safety precautions, additional safety education and health risk monitoring. It also may involve working with sharps, chemicals, infectious disease and debilitating illnesses. Sonographers may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, goggles and gloves.
 
If the student is unable to perform any of the designated tasks, upon request LCCC will make reasonable accommodations if the accommodations do not constitute an undue hardship on LCCC and that those accommodations do not interfere with performance of any essential functions of a sonographer’s duties.

 

Full Accreditation

The sonography program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 19 North Suite 19, Clearwater, FL 33763, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). This guarantees that students enrolled in the program have instruction based on an up-to-date curriculum, the opportunity to train on state-of-the-art sonographic equipment, appropriate supervision levels, and that graduates have the ability to obtain a license in all U.S. states mandating this requirement.

National Certification Eligibility

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national certifying examination of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The program's pass rate for this examination is very high; LCCC graduates have posted nearly 100 percent pass rate since 2010, in Sonography Principles and Instrumentation.

Immediate Employment

The majority of students are able to find employment in the field prior to or soon after graduation. Employment is expected to grow "faster than average" with an increase of 10% between 2021-2031 due to the aging population and increased demand for diagnostic imaging, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fully Equipped Laboratory 

The sonography program's laboratory includes state-of-the-art equipment, including 2 GE Logiq E 10, 1 GE Logiq E9, 2 Philip Epiq Elites. In addition, the lab is equipped with a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) Network System, which allows students to train in the proper manner that they are expected to complete paperwork in the clinical setting and workplace. Our SonoSim for Transvaginal simulation provides students with experience TV probe handling, acquiring quality images, recognizing pathology and testing for diagnostics. The lab is also equipped with a new state of the art, abdominal and obstetrical simulator, which will allow students to gain experience in abdominal and obstetrical scanning by experiencing a real scan and being tested on the quality of images, recognition of pathology and diagnostic skills.

All allied health students are required to submit a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the Allied Health Programs at LCCC. The drug screen is completed at the student's expense and must be paid for at the time of conditional acceptance.

At their discretion, clinical sites may also require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting. (If required, any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student.) In addition, LCCC and the clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical agency. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participation from clinical assignment or acceptance into the Sonography program.

In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, allied health workers must also undergo a background check performed at the student's expense. The student's acceptance will not be final until LCCC has received background check information from the reporting agencies, and the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses. For more information, please see the complete Health Sciences and Wellness Division Policy (pdf) for allied health students. Certain criminal activities, as evidenced by a criminal background check, may also disqualify a student from clinical participation.

Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent acceptance into and/or progression through the program and ultimately result in dismissal from the program.

NOTE: Applicants who have been convicted of a crime should contact www.ardms.org to determine if their conviction will prevent them from taking the certification boards and or the ability to obtain employment in a healthcare setting. Any student who cannot pass the background check and is not be eligible to attend clinicals will be dismissed from the program.

Cost of Attendance

For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance. Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program have additional estimated course fees expense of approximately $4,800.00.* This is an estimate and may change at any time. This estimate may vary due to differences the number and type of immunizations needed and uniform costs. LCCC Student Course Fees 2022-2023

 

  • Sonography Program Open House
  • Sonography Program Open House
  • Sonography Program Open House
  • Sonography Program Open House
  • Sonography Program Lab
  • Sonography Program Lab
  • Sonography Program Lab