DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY STUDENT PROGRAM HANDBOOK Policies and Procedures Coordinate With: DMS Clinical Evaluation Handbook & DMS Clinical Experience Forms Revised 11/13; 7/ 2015; 11/2016; 11/2018, 12/20 i Order of Contents Overview Projected Class Schedule I. Introduction II. Accreditation III. Attendance IV. Scholarship Criteria & Information V. Student Rights and Grievances (Administrative Procedure 5530) VI. Records VII. Financial Expenditures VIII. General Policies IX. Insurance, Accidents, and Incidents X. Clinical Assignments XI. Student Dress and Grooming for Clinical Education XII. Student Orientation to Clinical Facilities XIII. Clinical Experience XIV. Clinical Radiation Protection Rules XV. Pregnancy Policy and Procedures XVI. Student Supervision XVII. Personnel Descriptions XVIII. Professionalism, Job Description XIX. Patient Safety and Risk Management XXI. Equipment Safety and Maintenance XXII. Technical Protocols XXII. Ergonomics XVIII. Appendices A. Academic Honesty Procedure B. Conduct Code Violations C. COVID-19 ii iii Overview of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program The Sonography Program is a full-time, allied vocational health program located in the agricultural community of Merced, California. Here, from the Allied Health Parking lot at Merced College, is our nearest clinical affiliate, Dignity Health Mercy Hospital. The purpose of the program is to provide didactic education and practical experience as preparation for employment as an entry-level sonographer in a medical imaging facility. The program is divided into two components: (a) didactic with laboratory, and (b) clinical education. Graduates of the program are awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and are eligible to sit for the SPI, ABD, and OB-GYN American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography board examinations. The didactic portion of the program facilitates learning in “General Sonography,” with a focus on the following areas: Abdomen, Superficial Structures (Small Parts) now known as Abdominal Sonography-Extended, and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) this is also known as gravid and non-gravid female pelvis, and an introduction to vascular technology. The basic on-campus scanning procedures required are included within this handbook. Specific scanning procedures for each clinical site are beyond the scope of this document. Clinical education begins during the second semester and continues for three (3) semesters and one (1) summer term. Weekly clinical hours: a total of 1710 clinical hours are completed during three semesters and one summer term. Specific monthly schedules have been created to allow for students to enjoy all college identified holidays, and to be eligible to sit for board examinations through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) during the final semester. All clinical hours must be completed to be eligible for graduation. Whenever possible, each student will complete three (3) unique clinical experience rotations, to include 1 at least one at a medical center/hospital. The original design provided for four (4) rotations. Following advice from the Sonographic Advisory Board, the summer and fall terms have been combined to generate a better learning opportunity, albeit the students receive independent grades for each of the terms. Students will earn organ-specific scanning competencies during these clinical rotations. School Facilities include dedicated sonographic lecture room and laboratory. The classroom has tables and chairs, rather than traditional student desks. Audio/visual equipment includes a PC, mounted overhead projector, and sound system in both rooms. The scanning laboratory is equipped with three ultrasound systems. The laboratory is equipped with three state-of-the technology imaging systems. Each system is from an independent vendor which prepares students to apply physical principles knowledge in a variety of clinical facilities. The three scanning systems include: A Samsung unit with panoramic imaging, 3-D endovaginal probe, and multiple sonographic programs for abdomen, superficial structures, OB-GYN, vascular, and echocardiography examinations. Another modern GE system was installed in January of 2017, and in July 2018 a Mindray system completed the trio. Each scanning system has multiple transducers. When combined, advanced imaging technology includes elastography, 3-D, 4-D, panoramic, and Doppler applications. Each scanning station is equipped with ergonomic scanning tables and chairs, patient positioning tools, thermographic printers, and gel warmers. New for 2020: SonoSim Training System that features 24/7 access to 65 courses with knowledge assessment, hands-on simulation, and performance tracking. Each sonography student has didactic access throughout the program. Mock transducer-hands-on simulation is available during the second semester. Students’ use their personal computer, laptop, or smart phone to access the entire complement of sonographic scanning applications available from the SonoSim system. The program believes that actual real time scanning using 2 breathing individuals is the best approach for initial scanning skill development. However, the class of 2020 found that the SonoSim Training System was exceedingly beneficial in strengthening skillsets when laboratory course time, and some clinical rotations were canceled due to the COVID Pandemic. Each student has an assigned individual simulation packet. The sonography suite houses multiple sophisticated scanning phantoms for structures that cannot be readily scanned on a college campus. These include three second trimester OB phantoms, a breast phantom, a scrotal phantom, and three endocavitary pelvic capable of transabdominal applications each with different female pathology including a mock ectopic pregnancy, Other phantoms include a full adult abdomen and thorax with a variety of pathologies, a full pediatric abdomen and thorax with pediatric specific abnormalities, a pediatric hip phantom, and two neonatal brain units. These phantoms may be scanned using the technologically advanced imaging systems, or the students may use one of the eight I-Pad/SonoStar wireless scanning systems. Each I- Pad is partnered with either a curvilinear or linear SonoStar probe. The ultrasound laboratory houses several sonographic textbooks and study aids, and a vast collection of SDMS and AIUM journals. The allied health building provides a computer laboratory available for scheduled classes and open study. The campus library is found in the heart of the campus and maintains ultrasound books and reference materials including CD-DVD. Individual study rooms and personal computers are available. To maintain continued programmatic eligibility: the student must complete all didactic, laboratory and clinical experience courses sequentially to progress through the program. 3 Students complete courses in: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation (SONO40, 40L, and 44A), Abdominal and Superficial Structure Applications (SONO 41, 41L, 42A, 42L, 44C, 44CL), OB-GYN (SONO43A, 43L), Introduction to Vascular (SONO45C, 45CL), Integrative Applications (SONO 45A), and Clinical Experience (SONO 42B, 43B, 44B, 45B). Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Projected Class Schedule Semester Course Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SONO 40 (lecture) 9-9:50 am SONO 40L (lab) 10-11:15 am Fall SONO 41 (lecture) 9-9:50 am 18 weeks SONO 41L (lab) 10-11:15 am SONO 42A 8-10:50 am Spring (Lecture) 18 weeks SONO 42L (lab) 12-3:00 pm SONO 42B (clinic) ~32 hours/week 4 days/8 hours SONO 44A (lecture) 8-11:10 am SONO 44C (lecture) 12-12:50 pm Summer SONO 44CL (lab) 1-4:15 pm 8 weeks SONO 44B (clinic) ~32 hours/week 4 days/ 8 hours SONO 43A (lecture) 8-11:00 am SONO 43AL (lab) 12-3:00 pm Fall SONO 43B (clinic) ~32 hours each week 18 weeks 4 days @ 8 hours SONO 45A (lecture) 12-1:50 pm SONO 45C (Lecture) 8-9:15 am SONO 45CL (lab) 10-11:15 am Spring SONO 45B (clinic) ~32hours each week Total of 1710 clinical hours 18 weeks 4 days @ 8 hours Disclaimer: The DMS program reserves the right to revise class schedules at any time. This schedule is to be used for general reference only. During COVID-19 lectures and some labs were delivered via: hybrid and distance delivery. Most courses remained synchronous, but when required, asynchronous delivery was implemented. Revised 11/2018, 12/20 4 I. Introduction A. Welcome Welcome to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program! As the Director, it is my pleasure to congratulate you on your acceptance to the program, and to wish you success in your newly chosen health career. As a student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, you represent Merced College and the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. The highest ethical and professional standards of conduct will be always expected of you. You are responsible for learning the material (reading; studying; practicing in open lab; attending class, lab, and clinic; and developing the skills and behaviors of a sonographer); time management, professional behavior, and enjoying every aspect of personal development in this exciting career. The Program Director directs and facilitates the educational experience/program with the desired final outcomes: the privilege for you to write RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) after your name, and to become an erudite sonographer. The Clinical Coordinator assists the program director in the creation of an excellent learning opportunity, by spending time in the ultrasound laboratory