Click Here for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Requirement Checklist
NOTE: The Nicolet College Admission Office accepts applications for the Sonography program for one week each year, in February. The next time Nicolet will be accepting applications for this program is February 3 th -7 th 2009.
1) Complete Application.
2) Submit $30 application fee to Nicolet Area Technical College.
3) Submit official copy of high school transcript or high school equivalency (HSED) to Nicolet.
4) Submit official copy of any college transcripts to Nicolet.
5) Complete college entrance testing or have ACT within the past two years with the following scores:
|
Accuplacer |
ACT |
|
Reading 75 |
Reading 19 |
*Any student not meeting the above scores will be required to remediate through Basic Education or by taking Prep classes. This will be determined by your academic advisor.
*Testing may be waived for students who have completed 12 or more college credits (maintaining a GPA of 2.0) within the past 5 years or for students with an advanced degree. Please talk with your advisor regarding this.
Testing for the Accuplacer is available Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 1:30pm. There is no cost associated with this test. Testing is located in the Art Tech building (first building on the left), second floor. If you have more questions related to testing, please contact Lori Vance, at 365-4448.
6) Meet with an admission counselor for an admission interview.
Once you have completed steps 1-6, you may make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor, by calling 365-4493.
1) Chemistry - two semesters of high school chemistry with a grade of “C” or better or college equivalent (Survey of Chemistry) .
2) Physics - Two semesters of high school physics with a grade of “C” or better or one semester college equivalent (Introductory Physics).
3) Biology – two semesters of high school biology or one semester college equivalent.
4) All students are expected to have entry-level computer skills or complete computer literacy course.
5) Current CPR (American Heart Association Provider C or equivalent)
6) Complete Background Information Disclosure form.
7) Acceptable Wisconsin Criminal Caregiver Background Check (http://wi-recordcheck.org).
This programs starts in August. Classes and clinical meet days/evenings/weekends and summer session.
What does a diagnostic medical sonographer do?
Ultrasonography, more commonly called sonography, is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. The procedure is often referred to as a sonogram or ultrasound scan.
Do you have what it takes to become a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Sonographers need exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to explain technical procedures to their patients, some of whom may be nervous about the exam or the problems it may reveal. Sonographers need to be in excellent physical and mental health as they are required to perform physical activities that require the ability to push and pull objects and persons more than 75 pounds and transfer objects greater than 100 pounds. Emphasis is on upper body strength. A sonographer works with patients that may be very old or very young, critically ill or injured, mentally or physically deficient/impaired; working with a variety of staff and physicians.
The following is a list from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.sdms.org) of skills necessary to be a sonographer:
What is the program like at Nicolet College?
Nicolet shares this program with NTC and NWTC. Instructors from both schools will provide classroom lectures via interactive television (ITV) in a classroom located at the Nicolet campus. Students are expected to travel a minimum of two days per week to NTC-Wausau, for the lab skills portion of the program. Clinical will be locally at an St. Mary’s Hospital, Rhinelander.
What happens after graduation?
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the certification exam by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Are good jobs available?
For more information on this, you may log onto: www.sdms.org.
There is currently a national shortage for diagnostic medical sonographers with the expected shortage to continue for several years, as the population ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technologies. Locally, there is not a current shortage of sonographers. Sonographers work in hospitals and clinics as an extension of the Radiography department. In 2001, median average salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer was $46,238.