Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-General Vascular Concentration

General Vascular Concentration

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you will learn how to produce images of organs, tissues and blood vessels. The images will be interpreted by a radiologist, a physician who has specialized in interpreting and diagnosing radiographic images, or another specialized provider.

In this track, you learn abdominal extended, obstetrics & gynecology, and vascular ultrasound exams. This is the track that most people think of when they think of a sonographer. The general vascular concentration will teach students sonographic exams involving the abdomen and small parts, obstetrics and gynecology, and veins and arteries of the body. General Vascular sonographers tend to work in the hospital or clinic setting with Radiologists, a doctor who specializes in reading ultrasounds. Hospitals are never closed so the general vascular department is generally staffed 24/7

With a small class, students will gain clinical, academic, and laboratory training.  Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography after three consecutive years and be eligible to take ARDMS certification examinations in:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
  • Abdomen
  • Vascular Technology
  • Sonography Principles and Instrumentation

Mission Statement and Program Philosophy

Bellin College Mission
Bellin College is dedicated to educating healthcare professionals through innovation, leadership, and service that promotes lifelong learning and excellence.

Program Philosophy
In association with the mission of Bellin College, it is the intention of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography to educate medical imaging students who will function as proficient health care professionals and team members possessing a constant concern for quality patient care and technical competency. It is the school’s intention to maintain the highest program standards, thus insuring accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission guaranteeing graduates their eligibility for examination by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Program Goals and Outcomes
Student Learning Goals Outcomes
1.  To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography – Extended concentration. Cognitive:
1.1    Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data and history to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
1.2    Demonstrate critical thinking skills during the review of abdominal cases identify, describe, and predict diseases. 
Psychomotor:
1.3    Perform sonographic abdominal extended procedures appropriately, timely, and accurately recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
1.4    Document and present complete and accurate sonographic findings. 
Affective:
1.5  Functions effectively as part of the healthcare team.
2. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the obstetric and gynecology sonography concentration. Cognitive:
2.1    Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data and history to facilitate optimum diagnostic results. 
Psychomotor:
2.2    Obtain appropriate obstetric and gynecological images to identify disease processes.
2.3    The student is able to perform a broad range of ob/gyn exams.
Affective:
2.4    Communicate effectively with patients, coworkers, and reading providers.
2.5    Demonstrate the ability to practice sonography with ergonomic principles in mind.
3. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the vascular sonography concentration. Cognitive:
3.1   Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data and history to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
3.2   Demonstrate critical thinking skills during the performance of sonographic procedures to provide optimum diagnostic services and identify, describe, and predict diseases.
Psychomotor:
3.3   Perform sonographic procedures appropriately, timely, and accurately recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
3.4   The student is prepared to perform a broad range of vascular sonography examinations.
Affective:
3.5   Provide compassionate patient care and education to promote overall well-being.
3.6   Act in a professional manner within recognized ethical and legal standards.
4.    Graduates will demonstrate entry-level competency in abdominal – extended, obstetric/gynecology and vascular sonography procedures. 4.1 Effectively performs a broad range of clinical skills.
4.2  Is able to perform current sonography procedures and modalities.
4.3 Is able to perform and interpret diagnostic procedures.
4.4  Prepared to enter the profession as a registered sonographer in vascular, abdominal, and obstetric/gynecology.
4.5  Graduates feel the program was of high quality and they were well prepared as entry level sonographers
5.    Graduates will portray leadership skills. 5.1 Successful completion of leadership course
5.2 Served as a volunteer for a college/community event
Program Effectiveness Data

The performance of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Bellin College is reflected through program effectiveness data defined by our accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). Program effectiveness data includes:

  • Student Retention rate– the number of students that began the program divided by the number of students that actually complete the program.
  • Test Taker Rate– the total number of test takers divided by the total number of graduates
  • Credentialing examination success rate– the number of students who pass the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification examination in abdominal, obstetric and gynecological, vascular technology, and sonographic principles and instrumentation within one year of graduation from the program.
  • Job placement rate– the number of students that gain employment in the sonography field, are continuing their education, or in the military in one of the program’s accredited specialties within six months of graduation from the program.

Information regarding college enrollment, persistence, credentialing, diversity, and job placement (employment) rates for the college as a whole are available on the Statistics page. Information concerning the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is maintained on the website as a requirement of its accrediting body CAAHEP.  For more information regarding program effectiveness data visit the CAAHEP website at www.caahep.org.

Handbook and Catalog

The Bellin College (program) Guide – Handbook and Catalog summarizes campus information pertaining to College resources, policies and procedures as well as student services and academic planning.

Bellin College Catalog

Academic Plans

A list of sample academic plans for the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be found within the College’s Handbook and Catalog: https://catalog.bellincollege.edu/degrees

Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Bellin College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).

Graduates of the program are eligible for certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

CAAHEP
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
P:727-210-2350
F:727-210-2354
E: mail@caahep.org

Visit Bellin College’s Accreditation page for more information: https://www.bellincollege.edu/about/accreditation/

Our program will provide you with excellent opportunities, resources, and state of the art facilities to excel your academic and clinical experience. In addition, our unique program will offer you:

  • Didactic work in abdomen, ob/gyn, and vascular
  • Clinical rotations in abdomen, ob/gyn, and vascular clinics or hospitals
  • Assigned clinical sites around the Green Bay area— you don’t have to find your own!
  • An emphasis on leadership and management
  • A bachelor degree in THREE years (with an opportunity minor in adult echocardiography)
  • A full-time three-semester academic year
  • Small student to faculty ratio for individual learning
  • Direct entry into the program; once you are accepted into Bellin College you are also accepted into your program. We do not maintain a wait list.
  • Ergonomics course for safe sonography practices taught by a licensed athletic trainer
  • Sonography lab with multiple ultrasound machines.
  • Multiple imaging phantoms (objects simulating anatomical structures of the body and designed to mimic human tissue) to enhance learning.

BSDMS with a general vascular concentration

View General Vascular Concentration academic plan          

BSDMS Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Minor

Students in the General Vascular concentration may also choose to minor with adult echocardiography.  Clinical and didactic course work will be added onto the Senior year and specific general education courses must also be fulfilled. 

View the ADULT ECHO MINOR academic plan

Questions?

Please contact Bellin College Admissions at Admissions@bellincollege.edu,
(920) 433-6650, or use our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

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