Students will be able to:

• maintain patient confidentiality/privacy as defined by HIPAA

• demonstrate ethical and professional demeanor as outlined in the SDMS Code of Ethics

• interact and communicate professionally with physicians,  coworkers, patients and their families

• review the physician’s order for the examination

• obtain pertinent studies, reports, lab values as they relate to the exam

• perform patient assessments

• explain the procedure to the patient

• perform ultrasound exams according to the Scope of Practice for sonographers as identified by the SDMS and according to recognized exam protocols

• produce diagnostic sonographic images, optimizing technical factors, such as grey scale; color and spectral Doppler

• document exam with proper labeling, findings and correlative data

• recognize normal anatomical structures

• apply and report accurate measurements

• identify the changes of the ultrasound appearance of organs or structures due to various pathologies and list the differential diagnosis that could be responsible for these changes

• identify artifacts produced by ultrasound

• acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies

• correlate clinical history, related studies and exam findings with academic knowledge

• provide a summary of findings to the physician

• use appropriate medical terminology and language to describe findings to the physician through both oral and written communication

• operate departmental information systems (i.e. PACS)

• identify and respond to medical emergency situations

• calculate/solve mathematical equations related to ultrasound physics

• utilize resources and information data bases for continuing education credits and professional growth 

• identify the advantages of belonging to professional organizations