Diagnostic Medical Sonography, commonly called ultrasound, is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce medical images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.
The profession of diagnostic medical sonography includes general sonography, cardiac sonography, vascular technology, and various subspecialties. The profession requires critical thinking and good judgment to provide appropriate health care services. Sonographers/vascular technologists are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to provide patient services using diagnostic techniques under the supervision of a physician. Although most sonographers work in hospital based medical imaging departments performing abdominal, pelvic and vascular examinations or cardiology departments performing cardiac and vascular examinations, sonographers are also employed in dedicated vascular departments or obstetric departments, where specialized ultrasound examinations are performed, and many sonographers work outpatient clinics and mobile imaging services.
Prospective Students
Admission to the DMS Program is a two-step process:
1. Apply for admission to the college. When submitting the application for admission to BTC, applicants MUST include documentation of completion of patient care training and experience. Though not a complete list, the following are acceptable training programs:
Radiography Physical Therapist Assistant
Paramedic Respiratory Therapist Assistant
Registered Nurse Occupational Therapist Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurse Advanced Nursing Assistant
Patient care training/experiences not listed above will be evaluated by the DMS program director. Contact: mspates@blackhawk.edu or (608) 743-4571.
Though not a complete list, the following DO NOT satisfy the patient training requirement:
Surgical Technician Chiropractic Radiographer
Dental Assistant Dental Hygienist
EKG Technician Health Unit Coordinator
EMT (First Responder) EEG Technician
Medical Assistant Sleep Study Technician
Clinical Lab Technician Laboratory Technician
Phlebotomy Assistant
2. Petition for entry into the DMS Core Clinical Courses . You must first be admitted to the college before you can petition. After admission to the college, students interested in beginning the core courses in the DMS program must petition during specified petition dates. All students MUST attend a petition information meeting for the year petitioning. Students will not be eligible to petition unless they have attended a meeting. The meetings will highlight the new DMS selection process and will be conducted by DMS and Student Services staff.
Program Mission
The mission of the Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program is to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers and entry-level vascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The didactic and clinical education, as well as the critical thinking framework presented to the students will prepare them to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations in Abdomen, Obstetrical/Gynecological and Vascular Technology, as well as their SPI examination.
Program Goal
The Goal of the Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program is to fulfill the program mission through the achievement of the Program Outcomes which are defined and method of assessment in the DMS program handbook.
Additional Notes:
Before beginning core DMS courses, students must clear a “Caregiver’s Background” check. Students with occurrences in their history are encouraged to discuss them with Melissa Genovese, DMS Instructor, early in the process.