Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of TrusteesJoan Barram; Betsy Bechtel; Pearl Cheng; Laura Casas Frier; Bruce Swenson; Erica Anderson, Foothill Student Trustee; Isabelle Barrientos Vargas, De Anza Student Trustee

Non-Discrimination StatementFoothill College does not discriminate against any person in the provision of itseducational programs and services, and personnel practices on the basis of race,color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, maritalstatus, physical disability or mental disability. Coordination of Title IX of theEducation Amendments of 1972 prohibiting sex discrimination; Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990governing accessibility is the responsibility of Vice President of Instruction &Student Development Rose Myers, (650) 949-7228.

Limited English Skills PolicyProspective students are advised that a lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission to, or participation in vocational education programs atFoothill College as long as other, if any, program admission standards are met. Thisnotice is a requirement of the Guidelines for Elimination of Discrimination & Denialof Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex and Handicap (FederalRegister; Vol. 44, No. 56). Reglamento sobre Limitaciones en el Idioma Inglés—Se les aconseja a posibles estudiantes que la carencia del idioma Inglés no seráuna barrera para la admisión, o participación en programas de educaciónvocacional en Foothill College, siempre y cuando todos los otros, si existieran,criterios de admisión del programa sean completados. Esta nota es un requisito dela Guía para la Eliminación de la Decscriminación y Rechazo de Servicios en Base ala Raza, Color, Nacionalidad de Origen, Sexo e Impedimento (Registro Federal; Vol. 44, No. 56)

Printed by the Marketing Office • BIO 2472 Diagnostic • 12.09

Biological & Health Sciences

How To ApplyThere is a separate admission process for this program. Tobe considered, you must have completed all prerequisitesbefore the program’s September start date. The annualapplication deadline is May 1. Applications are acceptedonce a year, and are available on the program’s Web site atwww.foothill.edu/bio/programs/ultra. Programenrollment is limited and competitive; 15 to 25 studentsare accepted into the program each year.

For more program information, reviewwww.foothill.edu/bio/programs/ultra or call (650) 949-7538.

About Foothill CollegeSince opening in 1958, Foothill College has beenrecognized as one of the nation’s outstanding communitycolleges. In keeping with our philosophy of educationalopportunity for all, Foothill College offers outstandinginstruction and student support services, includingcounseling, tutoring and financial aid. Earning the FoothillCollege associate degree or certificate means that youhave completed coursework designed to improve yourability to communicate, compute, think analytically andcritically, and work collaboratively with large and smallgroups—the exact skills that employers demand.

Located 40 miles south of San Francisco and 20 milesnorth of San Jose, Foothill College is on El Monte Road inLos Altos Hills off Interstate 280. The Foothill MiddlefieldCampus is located minutes from U.S. 101 on MiddlefieldRoad in Palo Alto. For driving instructions and campusmaps, access www.foothill.edu.

Diagnostic MedicalSonography Program

Gall Bladder with stones.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

What Is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that useshigh-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visualimages of organs, tissues and blood flow inside the body.This type of procedure is called a sonogram. There areseveral areas of specialization in the field of sonography: • Abdomen—evaluation of all of the soft tissues, blood

vessels and organs of the abdomen;• Breast—evaluation of breast lumps and other

abnormalities that are found with screening or mammography;

• Neurosonology—evaluation of the brain and spinal cord in infants;

• Obstetrics/Gynecology—evaluation of the developing fetus and the female reproductive system; and

• Vascular—evaluation of the body’s blood flow.Sonography is increasingly being used in the detection andtreatment of fetal growth and abnormalities, and vasculardisease that can lead to stroke. It’s also used to guideneedles for tissue biopsies taken for testing under amicroscope. The professionals who perform theseprocedures are known as sonographers. This is an excellentcareer choice for health-care professionals who care aboutpeople and enjoy working with highly technical equipment.

What Does a Sonographer Do?The diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly skilled health-care professional who uses specialized equipment to createimages of structures inside the human body. These images arethen used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Theprofessional responsibilities of the diagnostic medicalsonographer include, but are not limited to: • Talking with patients to identify their symptoms;• Performing the sonogram and obtaining diagnostic images;• Analyzing images and patient information;• Using independent judgment in recognizing the need to

make adjustments to the sonogram;• Providing oral and written summaries of technical findings

to the physician for medical diagnosis;• Providing quality patient care; and• Working with physicians and other health-care providers. Many sonographers also assist in electronic record-keepingand computerized-image storage. Sonographers may alsohave managerial or supervisory responsibilities.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program ProfileThe Foothill College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programhas been in operation since 1984, and is accredited by theCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health EducationPrograms (CAAHEP), the Joint Review Committee on Educationin Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), and the WesternAssociation of Schools & Colleges.

Instruction begins in late September and concludes 18months later. All program courses are completed in sequenceand full-time enrollment in the program is required. Thepreceptorship (clinical) courses require 32 hours per week.Didactic and laboratory instruction is in addition to thepreceptorship assignment. There are no evening clinicalassignments. To remain in the program, all coursework mustbe completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Program GoalsYou will have the opportunity to develop the appropriateknowledge and technical skills, and qualify to take thenational certification examination offered by the AmericanRegistry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (ARDMS) in thedesignated areas of ultrasound physics/instrumentation, and abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology and vascular physics.Upon completion of additional skills, you may be eligible for additional specialties such as neurosonography and breast sonography.

At the end of the 18-month program, you will haveearned the Foothill College Certificate of Achievement. Youcan also earn the Foothill College Associate in ScienceDegree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography upon completionof the college’s general education requirements.

Minimum PrerequisitesTo be considered for admission to this program, you musthave completed all prerequisites before the program’sSeptember start date. These include:• Successful completion of a two-year allied health

program such as radiology technology, nuclear medicine technology, cardiovascular technology, registered nursing, and/or baccalaureate degree in a medically/ biology-related discipline with significant direct patient-care experience;

• Prerequisite course completion with a minimum of a “C” grade in the following college-level courses: human anatomy and physiology with labs (preferably completed within the last five years); and general physics (radiology physics is acceptable);

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5; and• Compliance with program technical and health

standards, and physical requirements.

Program CostsYou are responsible for enrollment fees, tuition, textbooks,notebooks, supplies, uniforms, nametags, medicalexamination, background check, and reliable transportation to assigned facilities for clinical experience. To review current program costs, accesswww.foothill.fhda.edu/bio/programs/ultra/.

Career OpportunitiesMany career opportunities are available when you become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer. Foothillstudents who have completed this competitive programtypically pursue technical careers in the hospital, clinic and medical office. Opportunities for full-time, part-time,on-call and per-diem positions are available. With additional technical experience, career positions may include supervisory positions such as an independent contractor or application specialist with commercial companies.

Liver Transverse normal.Kidney normal.

Carotid artery with waveform.

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