Technical Standards: Medical Sonography

The JCC Medical Sonography Program has established technical standards and performance criteria that must be met by the students in the program. Information regarding anticipated work criteria is also included.

Technical Standards:

Each student must be able to:

1. Reach up to six (6) feet off the floor.
2. Communicate in a clear and concise manner in English language to people in various departments.  Spanish is optional.
3. Read and apply appropriate instructions in treatment charts, notes, and records.
4. Lift fifty (50) pounds of weight, up and over head level.
5. Move immobile patients from stretcher to sonography table with assistance from department personnel.
6. Push standard wheel chair from waiting area or patient's room to the ultrasound room.
7. Comprehend and apply clinical instructions given from departmental personnel.
8. Utilize keyboard for inputting clinical data into console, computers, and charts.
9. Visually monitor patients and review images in dimmed light.
10. Ability to hear within normal limits (aided or non-aided).
11. Ability to visualize colors.
12. Speech discrimination within functional limits for telephone and personal communication.
13. Visual acuity of 20/60 in at least one eye (with or without correction).

Physical Demands:

Mental & Visual Demands (Student and Sonographer):

1. Ability to work in a noisy environment with many interruptions.
2. Ability to remember and recall a large amount of information.
3. Ability to accurately read and transcribe illegible handwriting.
4. Ability to assess patient and other situations rapidly, determine the course of action, delegate activities to co-workers, and/or respond as appropriate.
5. Ability to use equipment safely and correctly, such as equipment locks, IV pumps, stretchers, etc.
6. Ability to explain procedures and patient preparations clearly and simply in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
7. Ability to hear, understand, and respond appropriately to comments, questions, and instructions given in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
8. Ability to determine colors as displayed on equipment as well as in relation to the patient's condition.
9. Ability to calmly and politely cope in stressful situations, in emergency patient situations, or situations with other staff members.
10. Ability to assess work demands; personally organize and perform or assign others to meet the demands.
11. Ability to effectively communicate in the medical environment with other health care professionals and patients/family members.
12. Ability to apply critical thinking skills in regard to obtaining adequate clinical history from the patient and correlating that information with exam findings.
13. Ability to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

Work Environment to be Anticipated:

Routine and acute patient care situations in the assigned area of work such as diagnostic radiography, CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, etc. Exposure to ionizing radiation, blood and body fluids, chemicals for cleaning, medications, and pathogens. Contact with manual and electronic equipment such as keyboards, control panels, stretchers, IV pumps, computer terminals, facsimile machines, etc.

Patient care may include working with IV's, bed pans, urinals, and urinary catherizations.  Sonographers and students will perform scans of breasts, scrotums, endovaginal, or endorectal regions, and surgical procedures.  Workload may require altered break/lunch schedules.

Nature of Work/Training that may be Required:

Responsible and accountable for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care assignment. Responsible and accountable for performing/supervising/delegating care and tasks. Assigned patients may vary in age from infancy through geriatrics. Hours of work and length of shift may vary from the established schedule. Patients are assessed and decisions are made about changes in their conditions, verbal and written reports are made to others on the health care team. Care is coordinated and documented by the technologist. Technologists (not students) may be required to provide call-back coverage for the ultrasound departments.

Potential Hazards of Work/Training:

• Increased risk for exposure to various diseases, viruses, etc. while in the patient care/clinical setting.
• Increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries or repetitive strain injuries.
• Increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Qualifications for Employment: (may vary with employer)

• Certification by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) to practice as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Certifications are available in different imaging specialties in the medical sonography profession.
• Current CPR certification.
• Current infection control requirements as mandated by employer.
• Current medical information.
• Current compliance with OSHA requirements and regulations regarding risk management, safety training, universal precautions training, and bloodborne pathogen training.

For more information, contact:

Admissions Office
(919) 209-2128