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School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration

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Program Information

The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration at Grady Health System is a full-time, daytime program lasting 12 months. The student receives training in several clinical sites throughout the Metro Atlanta area.  This program prepares the graduate for a rewarding career in diagnostic medical sonography in the area of Vascular Ultrasound. The school awards a certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration.  Prerequisite college or technical school degree are required.

This advanced-level program is a full-time, daytime program lasting 12 months. Classes are limited in size. Admission to this program is competitive.

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Goals and Learning Outcomes

The goal of the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration is to prepare competent entry-level vascular sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Learning Outcome 1: Students will be clinically competent.

  1. Students will apply principles of patient safety in using acoustic energy as low as reasonably achievable during sonographic exam.
  2. Students will apply knowledge of sonographic procedures.
  3. Students will provide appropriate patient care.

Learning Outcome 2: Students will communicate effectively.

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of patient communication skills.
  2. Students will demonstrate effective oral communication.
  3. Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.

Learning Outcome 3: Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  1. Students will identify ethical dilemmas.
  2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills.
  3. Students will adapt procedures for non-routine exams and emergent patient conditions.

Learning Outcome 4: Students will demonstrate professional development and growth consistent with program mission and expected outcomes.

  1. Students will demonstrate a professional work ethic.
  2. Students will demonstrate dependability.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to function as team player.

 

Program Effectiveness Measurements
  1. Graduates will pass the SPI and vascular ARDMS certification exams no later than 1 year from graduation.
  2. Graduates will complete the program within 12 months.
  3. Of those pursuing employment, graduates will be employed within 12 months post-graduation.
  4. Graduates will be satisfied with their education.
  5. Employers will be satisfied with the graduate’s education.
Clinical Education

A student spends 3 days per week in the clinical setting. Students rotate through vascular sonographic imaging areas in several affiliate sites in the Atlanta area. Students must dress in the approved uniform attire during classes and clinical rotations. Clinical assignments occur during the day shift.

Grading Policy

The following grading system is used:

A – Excellent 90 – 100%
B – Good 80 – 89%
C – Fair 75 – 79%
D – Poor 70 – 74%
F – Failure  below 70%

Students receive an academic and clinical transcript at the end of each semester. Academic and clinical grades are listed separately, are weighted by credit hours, and are averaged for the semester GPA. Students are counseled individually concerning academic and clinical training on a weekly, monthly, or semester basis as needed.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration, a student must have successfully completed both the academic and clinical portions of the course of study.

Successful completion of the academic and clinical portions requires the following criteria to be met:

  1. A final accumulative average of 75% must be obtained considering all courses studied.
  2. A score of 75% or better must be obtained in a comprehensive final examination in Registry Review in Sonographic Physic and Vascular Sonography.
  3. Successful completion of all required clinical hours within the program.
  4. Successful completion of all clinical competencies.

Upon completion of all prescribed courses with satisfactory scholastic standing, each graduate will be awarded a certificate from Grady Health System.

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Faculty

Program Director:

Donna McNeil, MSEd, RDMS, RVT
[email protected]
(404) 616-5032

Sonography Training Coordinator:
Khristine Simmons, BSc, RDMS, RT(R)
[email protected]
(404) 616-3611

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Accreditation

The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration is not currently accredited. With the fulfilled admission requirements and completion of The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration graduates will be eligible to take the SPI and vascular ARDMS certification exams.

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Admission Requirements

The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers equal educational opportunities to students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, or national origin.

  1. Minimum age of 18
  2. Transfer credits, for sonography-specific courses, from other Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs will not be accepted.  Advanced placement is not available.
  3. Applicants may be considered if one of the following applies:
    Graduate of a regionally accredited U.S. University, College, or Technical college institution with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
    OR
    Graduate of a regionally accredited patient care related two-year allied health program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

    • A two-year allied health education program that is patient care related is defined as either 24 full-time consecutive calendar months or 60 semester credits or 84 quarter credits.
    • And it requires a clinical internship / externship to complete
    • Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to, diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and registered nurse.
  4. All College or technical college education must be from an institution accredited by one of the following entities:
    • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
    • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
    • Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)
    • Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools of Middle States Association of College and Schools (MSA-CESS)
    • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
    • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and Senior College Commission (SCC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
    • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
    • Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
    • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
    • Council on Occupational Training (COE)
    • Distance Education and Training Council Accrediting Commission (DETC)
    • National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
    • Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation
    • Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools Accreditation Commission
    • Commission on Accrediting of Association of Theological Schools
    • Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
    • Conjoint Accreditation Services of the Canadian Medical Association
    • Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA)
  1. SAT, ACT, Compass, Accuplacer or Asset Exam requirement (one of the following criteria must be met):
    • Scholastic Aptitude Reasoning Test (SAT I): minimum math and critical reading (verbal) total score of 830 (writing section not included)
    • American College Test (ACT): minimum composite score of 17
    • Compass: minimum reading score of 74; minimum math score of 37
    • Accuplacer: minimum reading score of61; minimum math score of 67
    • Asset: minimum reading score of 40; minimum math score of 40
    • Accuplacer Next Generation: minimum reading score of 237; minimum math (Q A S) score of 258

International Applicants

  1. A non-citizen applicant is required to provide documentation from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of permanent resident status by presenting his/her alien registration card. The school is not approved by the Department of Homeland Security to enroll non-immigrant (F-1) status students.
  2. If the applicant’s native language is not English, one of the following must be submitted:
    • Georgia State Test of English Proficiency with the minimum progress of “intermediate”. or
    • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with minimum subset scores for each test versions as follows:
      • PBT: 55 (Reading, Writing, Listening)
      • CBT: 21 (Reading, Writing, Listening)
      • iBT: 20 (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
      • Essay Writing/TWE (PBT, CBT) sub scores should not be below 4.0

The TOEFL test must have been taken within the last two years to be acceptable.

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Application Process

The Vascular Sonography program begins only one time per year in the Fall.

Online applications are accepted year round.  All admission documents, including application and supporting documentation, must be RECEIVED by April 1st.

Procedure

  1. Apply online and pay the $35.00 nonrefundable application fee
  2. Applicants submit the following to the School:

Application Portfolio Documents

  1. Official transcript

Official transcript from college where applicant received their Bachelor’s degree OR two-year allied health degree.

  1. Critical Test scores
    A college entrance test is required. Scholastic Aptitude Reasoning Test (SAT I), American College Test (ACT), Compass, Accuplacer, Accuplacer Next Generation, and/or Asset. Grady Health System’s SAT code is 5263 and the ACT code is 5329.
  2. Score and proof of any current national certification, if applicable.
    1. TOEFL score, if applicable (see International Student Requirements).
  3. References: The applicant must provide names and email addresses, for four (4) references who have supervised the applicant a minimum of six months in an evaluating position (such as supervisors, educators, etc.). Friends, relatives, clergy, and co-workers are not acceptable references. The applicant should contact references prior to submission of application.
  4. Health Care Experience: Employment, shadowing in an imaging department, or volunteering in a patient care setting is preferred but not required.

ARDMS Compliance Predetermination Review for Felony or Misdemeanor Conviction

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Accepted Applicants

Upon acceptance, the applicant must complete and submit by program deadline date:

  1. Physical examination and immunizations to include documentation of:
    • COVID-19 vaccine and booster
    • MMRvaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Must have one of the following:
      • Documentation of 2 doses after 1stbirthday and separated by at least 28 days OR
      • Laboratory evidence of immunity by positive measles titer, positive mumps titer, and positive rubella titer
    • Tdap Vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) Must have booster within past 10 years
    • Hepatitis B Vaccine (series of 3 and titer results drawn after 3rddose)
    • Varicella Vaccine (2 doses) and/or positive titer
    • TB Screening within last 30 days prior to enrollment, any one of the following to documents accepted:
      • Negative Quantiferon Gold blood test
      • For history of positive TB test, latent TB infection or TB disease, must have negative chest x-ray. If student has had TB disease, medical evaluation and documentation that student has been treated for TB disease is required. After initial TB testing is completed, students should receive follow-up TB testing annually consisting of a T.SPOT or a Quantiferon Gold Test at the students own expense.

Immunization requirements are subject to change by Grady Health System and/or Clinical affiliates at any time.

  1. Background checks and drug screens performed through Advantage Students each year.
  2. Proof of professional liability insurance as a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Student, prior to enrollment, which documents coverage for first year of enrollment.
  3. Current CPR (BLS for Healthcare Provider) documentation.
  4. Any on-line hospital or clinical site orientations assigned by the school

 

Background Check – Drug Screen Policy

 

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Tuition and Fees

Tuition
Sonography Tuition: $1900/semester (3 semesters)
Fees
2 Drug Screen & Background Checks: 1) $78.50 *base fee  2) $78.50 *base fee

*May be higher if student lived in another state or country
Professional Liability Insurance $40.00 – 220.00 per year
Online Record Keeping System $150
Technology Fee $75.00/semester
CPR (Heart Code – BLS) $ variable price
Uniform Scrub Top and Pants
(5 sets recommended)		 approximately $35.00/set
Uniform Shoes
(2 pairs recommended)		 approximately $60.00/pair
Books, supplies, computer software, etc. approximately $800
Grady Parking
Off campus clinical sites may require a parking fee, which is the responsibility of the student.		 Grady Parking for a one-time fee of $10. Subject to change
ARDMS Credential exam fees: SPI – $250
Completing ARDMS specialty exam just after graduation is encouraged: RVT – $275

Prices subject to change

Financial Aid
No financial aid assistance is available for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular Concentration program.

Tuition Refund Policy

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