Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program - LCCC | Laramie County Community College, Wyoming

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program - LCCC | Laramie County Community College, Wyoming
Pathways
Health Sciences and Wellness
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
COVID-19 Statement
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
What is Diagnostic Medical 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?
Diagnostic Medical
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
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
Program Map
What can I do with this degree?
Sonographers typically work in hospitals, medical clinics and private medical offices.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Career Information
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.
Goals & Mission
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 entry-level sonographers in the
cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains
for the Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vascular concentrations.
Goal 1: Graduates of this program will be technically proficient, being able to consistently
produce images of high diagnostic quality.
Outcome
Students will obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data to facilitate optimum
diagnostic results.
Students will optimize and record anatomic and physiologic information in accordance
to industry standards.
Students will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Goal 2: Graduates of this program will demonstrate communication skills.
Outcome
Students will demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and all members
of the healthcare team.
Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
Goal 3: Students will provide consistent, high quality patient care.
Outcomes:
Students will provide customer relations skills in patient care and assessment.
Students will employ a safe work environment.
Goal 4: Students will conduct themselves ethically and professionally.
Outcomes:
Students will act in a professional manner within recognized ethical and legal standards.
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:
Students will pass the ARDMS SPI on the first attempt.
Students will pass two of the ARDMS specialty exams prior to graduation (AB, OB, VT)
Students will pass one additional ARDMS specialty exam within 6 months post-graduation.
Of those pursuing employment, students will be gainfully employed within 6 months
post-graduation.
Program Effectiveness Data
View the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Effectiveness Data
Accreditation
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
Technical Standards
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.
Program Advantages
Full Accreditation
The
Diagnostic Medical S
onography program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113Th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 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.
Drug Screening and Criminal Background Checks
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
Explore Careers
Program Pathways
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Apply to the Program
Colorado Transfer Guide
Related Links
Free OB Ultrasound Scans
Search for Classes
Resources
2025 DMS Student Handbook
2024-2025 DMS Policy and Procedure Manual
HSW School Policies v. 14, Aug. 24, 2025
Contact Information
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
HSWFREELARAMIE
Adrienne Wade
Program Director
awadeFREELARAMIE
307.778.4338
Health Science Building, Room 230
Breanna Webb
Clinical Coordinator
BWebbFREELARAMIE
307-778-4394
Health Science Building, Room 228
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