Medical and Dental Programs
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Students in SJVC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program learn to use special imaging equipment to create images of internal organs. Earn an Associate of Science degree in as few as 18 months.
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
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LEARNING OPTIONS
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Program Details
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Ultrasound Techs use special imaging equipment to create images of internal organs. At San Joaquin Valley College, our Diagnostic Medical Sonography students learn:
- Fundamentals and professional aspects of sonography
- Principles and instrumentation of ultrasound
- Abdominal ultrasound imaging
- Obstetrics, gynecology, and vascular imaging
On the job, Sonographers and Ultrasound Technicians can expect to:1
- Prepare patients for procedures by taking a patient’s history and answering any questions about the procedure
- Prepare and maintain imaging equipment
- Operate equipment to get diagnostic images of areas in the patient’s body
- Analyze images to provide preliminary findings for physicians
- Record findings and keep track of patients’ records
COST & FINANCIAL AID
Education is the most important investment you can make in your future. There is a financial plan available for everyone, including a broad range of financial assistance options. Visit SJVC’s Net Price Calculator to get personalized information on college costs and financial aid. Check out SJVC’s Academic Catalog to learn about program costs by campus and credential level. You also can talk to an Admissions Advisor to discuss the costs of your chosen program and schedule an appointment with an experienced financial aid officer. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
PROGRAM AVAILABILITY
SJVC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is available at the Bakersfield campus.
ACCREDITATION & APPROVALS
San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-748-9001, Fax: 510-748-9797.
The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Approvals
CALIFORNIA
SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).
What Will I Learn?
FUNDAMENTALS OF SONOGRAPHY
ULTRASOUND PRINCIPLES & INSTRUMENTATION
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING
OBSTERTRICS, GYNECOLOGY, & VASCULAR IMAGING
Ready to Do This?
Find your path in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Talk to an Admissions Advisor about your options and earn your Associate of Science degree in as few as 18 months.
Career Opportunities
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, also known as Ultrasound Technicians, help doctors and other health care professionals assess and identify a patient’s medical conditions. These professionals use imaging equipment that produces high-frequency waves to record images or conduct tests on many parts of the body.
To understand a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer’s daily responsibilities, it is essential you know the difference between an ultrasound and a sonogram. While most use the terms interchangeably when discussing sonography, they are different. Ultrasound refers to the tool used to take a sonogram (or picture). Here is an overview of the daily duties of an ultrasound tech:1
- Explain ultrasound diagnostic imaging to patients and record their medical history
- Follow approved procedures to ensure that diagnostic equipment is working properly
- Operate equipment under authorized diagnostic image practices and approaches
- Review images for clarity, coverage, and suitability to detect the presence or absence of a presumed medical condition
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal anatomy to prepare a summary of your diagnostic findings for the attending physician.
- Record findings and file patients’ records per prescribed procedures
- Sonography professionals may work with doctors and surgeons before, during, and after these day-to-day procedures
Check out our guide on becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in California
If you love helping people and you are interested in a career in diagnostic imagery or ultrasound technology, sonography may be a great career path for you. Like other advanced care roles, a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is essential to patient care. While most people think of OB/GYN and babies when they hear the word ultrasound, there’s a wide range of specialties within the field. Learn more about becoming a sonographer, how you can make a difference in patients’ lives, and whether this is the right career choice for you.
Successful Grads
Ask one of our graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing.
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