BECOME A
pURSUE A dynamic career in medical imaging
Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) program is designed for individuals to receive the technical skills and training needed to become an ultrasound technologist.
Many choose this program because they like the variety of patient care offered by the ultrasound field, and want the well-balanced combination of support and flexibility offered by American Institute’s hybrid training. Our instructors are online with you in real time, so you can get your questions answered from the comfort of your own home during your online classes, and then complete any coursework at your leisure over the next week. And, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you’re always welcome on campus to practice and work with the instructors to be sure you are comfortable with the concepts you’re learning.
(Note: For Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs, students must demonstrate evidence in the form of an official transcript of EITHER a Bachelor’s Degree in any major OR an Associate’s Degree from an allied health patient care related program including a clinic internship/externship)
THE PROGRAM
Our hybrid training approach combines hands-on lab work with online theory classes to give you the flexibility you need for your busy schedule. In the on-campus lab, you’ll learn to generate and recognize normal ultrasound images using actual ultrasound equipment to practice and develop your skills.
This program prepares students to sit for the Abdomen (AB) and/or Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) specialty examinations through the ARDMS. This program includes vascular training, which provides students a wide range of options for specialization after completing their training. During Term 6 (the final term) students are eligible to sit for the SPI exam (Sonography Principles and Instrumentation) which is the first step to becoming ARDMS registered. After graduation, students will be eligible to sit for the specialty ARDMS exam of their choice, upon which they will become ARDMS registered. In addition, American Institute reimburses students for the SPI exam if taken during Term 6 and one specialization test if taken within 60 days of graduation.
WHAT DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHERS DO
Diagnostic medical sonographers use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body (in a procedure commonly known as an ultrasound) to assess and document various medical conditions.
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:
- Prepare patients for procedures by taking their medical history and answering their questions
- Prepare and maintain imaging equipment
- Apply a gel to aid the sound waves’ ability to show the inside of the body
- Operate equipment to get diagnostic images of areas in the patient’s body
- Analyze the images to check for quality and to ensure adequate coverage of the area being diagnosed
- Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images
- Analyze images to provide preliminary findings for physicians
- Record findings and keep track of patients’ records
SITE AFFILIATIONS FOR CLINICAL EXTERNSHIPS
American Institute is delighted to partner with exceptional facilities for our students to solidify their hands-on training in a ‘real world’ environment. Below are a few of the partnerships we enjoy in each of the states where we have clinical sites for our DMS students.
CONNECTICUT
Hartford Healthcare
Nuvance Health
Trinity Health of New England
Prospect Health Network
NEW JERSEY
RWJ Barnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center
CareWell Health Medical Center (formerly East Orange)
PENNSYLVANIA
Temple University Health System
Holy Redeemer Health System
MORE ABOUT WHAT DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHERS DO
Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. The sonographer presses an instrument called an ultrasound transducer to the parts of the patient’s body that are being examined. The transducer emits pulses of sound that bounce back, causing echoes. The echoes are then sent to the ultrasound machine, which processes them and displays them as images.
Diagnostic medical sonographers specialize in different parts of the body. The following are examples of specific types of sonographers:
- Abdominal sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s abdominal cavity and nearby organs, such as the kidney, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or spleen.
- Breast sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s breast tissues. Sonography aids mammography in the detection of breast cancer. Breast sonography is also used to track tumors in breast cancer patients.
- Musculoskeletal sonographers specialize in imaging muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.
- Pediatric Sonographers specialize in pediatric patients (birth to 13 years old) in a general, superficial and vascular setting.
- Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system. Many pregnant women receive ultrasounds to track the baby’s growth and health.
- Vascular Sonographers specialize in arterial and venous studies throughout the body.
Speak with an Admissions Advisor
Call 888.387.5260
Call 888.387.5260
