Vascular Sonography
The field of vascular sonography utilizes high frequency sound waves to image and evaluate arteries and veins of the body. The vascular sonographer is a skilled person qualified by academic and clinical education to perform vascular sonographic examinations under the supervision of a qualified physician. The sonographer working in this field performs a variety of diagnostic vascular examinations, including cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial and venous evaluations. The sonographer has a unique and vital role in the diagnostic process, and the profession continues to offer many excellent opportunities for employment.
Program Description
SJU offers a two-year curriculum of full-time study in vascular sonography leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The program also offers an academic certificate program in vascular sonography for students who already have an academic degree. Students receive theoretical and clinical instruction in all aspects of vascular sonography in preparation for entry-level positions as vascular sonographers. Upon satisfactory completion of program requirements, graduates are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in physics and vascular technology. Students are also eligible to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) in vascular.
The faculty of the Vascular Sonography program believes in the potential for the individual to grow in knowledge and professional importance. It is the program's objective, to provide the opportunity, instruction, and education to assist in this personal endeavor. The vascular ultrasound profession is recognized as an integral part of the diagnostic medical team. Through the practiced skills of the vascular sonographer, both the patient and the physician are assisted in the detection of disease if present.
Education is a process of learning through a balance of didactic and clinical instruction that adequately prepares the individual equally for registry examinations and employment. Through the flexible design of our program, we strive to achieve this goal and take advantage of the full learning potential of each individual.
Program Mission
The mission of the Vascular Sonography program is to meet the needs of the healthcare community by providing qualified individuals to become competent Vascular Sonographers.
Goal 1: To provide all students with didactic and clinical education, including hands-on, practical scanning experience. At the completion of the program, the graduate will:
Goal 2: To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s) it offers: Vascular Sonography.
Goal 3: Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical information to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
Goal 4: Function as an integral part of the diagnostic medical imaging team, providing patient services efficiently and in a professional and ethical manner.
Goal 5: Incorporate concepts learned through classroom instruction and clinical practice, ensuring accurate, meaningful sonographic evaluation
Goal 6: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
Goal 7: Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other diagnostic vascular techniques.
1. All students in the Vascular Sonography program must complete the following courses and all VAS courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CAS 206 | Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys | 3 |
DMS 111 | Intro to Sonography | 1 |
DMS 221 | Ultrasound Physics | 3 |
DMS 227 | Common Vascular Procedures | 1 |
2. Students must complete the following courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher and achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for progression into the second-year clinical coursework:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIO 175 & 175L | A&P for Nursing &Allied Health and A&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab | 4 |
BIO 176 & 176L | A&P Nursing & Allied Health II and A&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab | 4 |
ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
HSC 390 | Medical Terminology | 1-2 |
INT 103 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
MAT 112 | College Algebra | 3 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education | ||
ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
BIO 175 | A&P for Nursing &Allied Health | 4 |
BIO 175L | A&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab | 0 |
PSY 100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
MAT 112 | College Algebra | 3 |
HSC 390 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
CSS 101 | College Studies Seminar | 3 |
BIO 176 | A&P Nursing & Allied Health II | 4 |
BIO 176L | A&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab | 0 |
PHY 200 | Survey of Physics | 3 |
PHY 200L | Survey of Physics Laboratory | 1 |
SOC 101 | Intro to Sociology | 3 |
or SOC 270 | Special Topics | |
INT 103 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
PHL 490 | Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci | 1 |
Vascular Sonography | ||
DMS 111 | Intro to Sonography | 1 |
VAS 112 | Vasc Sonography Procedures I | 3 |
VAS 113L | Vascular Sonography Lab I | 1 |
DMS 221 | Ultrasound Physics | 3 |
VAS 224 | Vascular Sonography Clinical I | 4 |
VAS 235L | Vascular Sonography Lab II | 1 |
VAS 227 | Vascular Sonography Proc II | 3 |
CAS 206 | Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys | 3 |
DMS 227 | Common Vascular Procedures | 1 |
VAS 233 | Vascular SonographyClinical II | 6 |
VAS 236L | Vascular Sonography Lab III | 1 |
VAS 230 | Vascular Sonography Adv Topics | 3 |
VAS 231 | Vascular Sonography Review | 3 |
VAS 234 | Vascular Sonog Clinical III | 4 |
Total Hours | 67 |
Students already holding an associate or baccalaureate degree, or who will have met the baccalaureate requirements from their primary educational program upon completion of the certificate program, may apply for the 13-month academic certificate program on a space available basis.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
DMS 111 | Intro to Sonography | 1 |
VAS 112 | Vasc Sonography Procedures I | 3 |
VAS 113L | Vascular Sonography Lab I | 1 |
DMS 221 | Ultrasound Physics | 3 |
VAS 224 | Vascular Sonography Clinical I | 4 |
VAS 235L | Vascular Sonography Lab II | 1 |
CAS 206 | Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys | 3 |
DMS 227 | Common Vascular Procedures | 1 |
VAS 227 | Vascular Sonography Proc II | 3 |
VAS 234 | Vascular Sonog Clinical III | 4 |
VAS 236L | Vascular Sonography Lab III | 1 |
VAS 230 | Vascular Sonography Adv Topics | 3 |
VAS 231 | Vascular Sonography Review | 3 |
VAS 233 | Vascular SonographyClinical II | 6 |
HSC 390 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
INT 103 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
PHL 490 | Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci | 1 |
Total Hours | 40 |
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
Associate Degree Only | ||
BIO 175 & 175L |
A&P for Nursing &Allied Health and A&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab |
4 |
CSS 101 | College Studies Seminar | 3 |
ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
PSY 100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
MAT 112 | College Algebra | 3 |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Associate Degree Only | ||
BIO 176 & 176L |
A&P Nursing & Allied Health II and A&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab |
4 |
HSC 390 | Medical Terminology | 1-2 |
INT 103 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
PHY 200 & 200L |
Survey of Physics and Survey of Physics Laboratory |
4 |
SOC 101 or SOC 270 |
Intro to Sociology or Special Topics |
3 |
PHL 490 | Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci | 1 |
Hours | 14-15 | |
Summer | ||
Associate Degree and Certificate Program | ||
DMS 111 | Intro to Sonography | 1 |
VAS 112 | Vasc Sonography Procedures I | 3 |
VAS 113L | Vascular Sonography Lab I | 1 |
Hours | 5 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
Associate Degree and Certificate Program | ||
CAS 206 | Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys | 3 |
DMS 221 | Ultrasound Physics | 3 |
DMS 227 | Common Vascular Procedures | 1 |
VAS 224 | Vascular Sonography Clinical I | 4 |
VAS 235L | Vascular Sonography Lab II | 1 |
VAS 227 | Vascular Sonography Proc II | 3 |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Associate Degree and Certificate Program | ||
VAS 233 | Vascular SonographyClinical II | 6 |
VAS 236L | Vascular Sonography Lab III | 1 |
VAS 230 | Vascular Sonography Adv Topics | 3 |
VAS 231 | Vascular Sonography Review | 3 |
Hours | 13 | |
Summer | ||
Associate Degree and Certificate Program | ||
VAS 234 | Vascular Sonog Clinical III | 4 |
Hours | 4 | |
Total Hours | 67-68 |