A Challenging Career in Sonography

Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. This procedure is often referred to as a sonogram or ultrasound scan. Unlike X-rays, sonography is a radiation-free imaging modality.

Sonography can be used to examine many parts of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, female reproductive system, prostate, heart, and blood vessels. It is used in the detection and treatment of heart disease, heart attack, and vascular disease that can lead to stroke.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis' School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers two programs in Sonography; General/Vascular concentration and Cardiac concentration. Each is designed to provide the skills to enter the rewarding field of sonography.

Program Philosophy
St. Francis organized its program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography because of an earnest desire to contribute to a medical field with a shortage of properly trained sonographers in the general, vascular and cardiac concentrations to satisfy the demands of the community. The faculty believes that the clinical and didactic education must be coordinated with the personal development of the student by providing ample opportunity for the students to learn communication skills, gain self-confidence, adapt critical thinking skills, and to become resourceful.

Textbooks and demonstrations are essential to a well-rounded educational experience, but these alone cannot be used as substitutes for actual case observations and patient contact. The essential skills needed to provide expert health care are developed through repeated performance of multiple examinations. Opportunities for students to develop self-confidence and resourcefulness are best acquired in the clinical setting, which is planned and structured in conjunction with the educational objectives.

General/Vascular Concentrations

This combined concentration is an eighteen-month, full-time, hospital-based accredited program. The program is divided into two types of education: Didactic (classroom) and Clinical (hands-on). Together they will require a commitment of about 40 first-shift hours per week.

The didactic components relate to the field of ultrasound and are based on the educational guidelines approved by the JRC-DMS. All aspects of ultrasound are covered as they relate to the physics of sound, abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology and vascular sonography. Classes are held throughout the week and will require about 16 first-shift hours of commitment.

During the clinical portion of the program, students are assigned to various sites to work with registered sonographers for hands-on training to enhance your skills. The clinical requirement will require a commitment of 24 first-shift hours per week.

Graduation and Certification

Students who complete the General/Vascular concentration will receive a Certificate of Completion from St. Francis School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Successful completion of the program will make you eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams in Physics and Instrumentation, Abdominal and OB/GYN Sonography. Students will not be eligible to take the examination in Vascular Physics and Instrumentation and Vascular Technology unless the school’s application for accreditation in those concentrations is approved before graduation. The school has submitted application.

Additional Information:

• View/print our Admission Prerequisites document (in PDF Format)
• View/print our Application and Selection Process document (in PDF format)
• View/print our Curriculum document (in PDF format)
• View/print our Tuition and Fees document (in PDF format)
• View/print our Application for Admission (in PDF Format)

Please Note:

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Application Deadline

All information required for admission must be postmarked or personally delivered on or before March 1st (6 months prior to the start of the next class). It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure all the required paperwork is submitted.

The next class is scheduled to begin September 2009.

Tuition

Tuition is $3,000 with $250 payable upon acceptance into the program, $2,000 payable when school begins, and $750 payable after completion of the initial three-month probationary period. This does not include books, supplies or uniforms. Tuition is subject to change.

Cardiac Concentration

This program is intended for the working sonographer or continuing student enrolled in the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- St. Francis School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in the General/Vascular concentrations. The program does not accept transfer students from other programs or credits for experiential learning.

This concentration is a six month, full-time, hospital-based program. The program is divided into two types of education: Didactic (classroom) and Clinical (hands-on). Together they will require a commitment of about 40 first-shift hours per week.

The didactic components relate to the field of ultrasound and are based on the educational guidelines approved by the JRC-DMS. All aspects of ultrasound are covered as they relate to the physics of sound and adult echocardiography. Classes are held throughout the week and will require about 16 first-shift hours of commitment.

During the clinical portion of the program, students are assigned to work with registered sonographers for hands-on training to enhance your skills. The clinical requirement will require a commitment of 24 first-shift hours per week.

Graduation and Certification

Students who complete the Cardiac concentration will receive a Certificate of Completion from St. Francis School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The program is not currently accredited in the cardiac concentration but has submitted application. Registered sonographers will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams in Adult Echocardiography as a re-applicant under Prerequisite 1.  

Additional Information:

• View/print our Admission Prerequisites document (in PDF Format)
• View/print our Application and Selection Process document (in PDF format)
• View/print our Curriculum document (in PDF format)
• View/print our Tuition and Fees document (in PDF format)
• View/print ourApplication for Admission (in PDF Format)

Please Note:

JavaScript is used to open the forms in a new window. Some types of "pop-up blocker" software prohibit new windows from opening so if you are using this type of software you will have to turn off the "pop-up blocker" in order to access the forms. Once you are done, you should turn the "pop-up blocker" back on.

Application Deadline

All information required for admission must be postmarked or personally delivered on or before September 1st (6 months prior to the start of the next class). It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure all the required paperwork is submitted.

The next class is scheduled to begin March 2009.

Tuition

Tuition is $1,000 with $250 payable upon acceptance into the program, $500 payable when school begins, and $250 payable after completion of the initial three-month probationary period. This does not include books, supplies or uniforms. Tuition is subject to change.

School Accreditation for all Concentrations

Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) the program is accredited by in the General concentration by:

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org

 

The program has submitted application to CAAHEP for accreditation in the Vascular and Cardiac concentrations.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- St. Francis is accredited by:
The Joint Commission of the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: 630-792-5000

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin or disability. No dorm facilities are available. Out-of-town students must secure private housing. There is no financial aid available for this program and the program does not have a FAFSA number. Students are required to maintain a health insurance policy during the program.

 

For more information on The St. Francis School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, please call Marc Wojciechowski at (414) 647-5711 or fax at (414) 647-5732.