Medical Sonography Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

All students in the Medical Sonography program are expected to meet certain technical standards which are essential for the successful completion of all phases of the program, and which reflect industry requirements and standards. To verify the student’s ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the technical standards below.

Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. The ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any certification exams or successful completion of the program.

 

Technical Standard Definition of Standards Examples
Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills Ability is sufficient for clinical judgment.
  • Utilize sonographic concepts as a basis for determining patient acuity and/or cognitive ability in order to achieve the best possible images.
  • Apply sonographic knowledge and skills taught in the lab and classroom to the clinical setting.
Interpersonal Skills Abilities are sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  • Establish rapport with patients, instructors, and colleagues.
  • Conduct oneself in a composed, respectful manner in all situations and with all persons.
Communication Skills Abilities are sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
  • Give verbal directions to or follows verbal directions from other members of the healthcare team and participate in healthcare team discussions of patient care.
  • Elicit and record information about health history and current health state from patients or family members.
  • Recognize and report critical patient information to other caregivers.
Coping Skills The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and persistent in solving problems.
  • Demonstrate skills to remain calm and professional in an emergency/stressful situation.
  • Adapt rapidly to changing environment/stress.
Mobility/Motor Skills

Physical abilities are sufficient to move in one’s environment with ease and without restriction.

Gross and fine motor abilities are sufficient to provide safe and effective skills.
  • Possess physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces; a full range of motion to twist/bend, stoop/squat, and reach forward/reach overhead; and stand and walk for extended periods of time.
  • Possess physical abilities to lift 75 lbs. while performing the following activities frequently – carrying, pushing, and pulling from cart height, pushing and pulling from shoulder height.
  • Possess physical abilities to lift 75 lbs. while occasionally lifting from static knuckle height, bench height, ankle height, and shoulder height.
  • Possess the physical ability to wear a leaded apron.
  • Assist in turning and lifting patients.
  • Possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective care, position patients, and manipulate equipment.
  • Possess the physical ability to move fingers and manipulate objects rapidly and quickly.
Auditory Skills Auditory abilities are sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
  • Hear sounds within the audible range
  • Hear internal body sounds (auscultation, Doppler).
  • Hear auditory alarms (monitors, fire alarms, call bells).
Visual Skills Visual ability is sufficient for observation and assessment.
  • Possess the ability to observe patient status, behaviors, and changes in skin color.
  • Possess the ability to read digital medical records and equipment settings.
  • Possess the ability to see close up and far away.
  • Possess the ability to differentiate shades of grey.
  • Possess the ability to work in dimly lit rooms.
Tactile Skills Tactile ability is sufficient for physical assessment.
  • Performs palpation of anatomical landmarks.
  • Utilizes touch screens and computer keyboards for data input.
Environmental Possess the ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
  • Adapts to a variety of clinical settings and equipment. Works in small areas that may be crowded and/or noisy.
  • Practices Standard Precautions and sterile techniques. May be exposed to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, and/or medicinal preparations.
  • Adjusts to working in extreme temperatures, dependent on the procedure or patient condition.
Emotional/Behavioral Possess emotional stability sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations and assume responsibility/accountability for actions.
  • Follow the rules of professional conduct set forth in the handbook.
  • Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and initiative.
  • Perform exams with accuracy and maintain organization under stressful circumstances, such as increased workload, difficult patients, instrument malfunction, emergency situations, etc.
  • Demonstrate emotional intelligence to remain calm and professional in an emergent and stressful atmosphere.
  • Deliver adequate patient care regardless of the patient’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or diagnosis.
  • Demonstrate a positive, respectful attitude toward all patients, peers, and other healthcare workers regardless of appearance, condition, or beliefs.
  • Appreciate constructive feedback.
  • Present self in a composed, respectful manner in all situations and with all persons.
  • Adapt to changes in a work environment.
  • Demonstrate ethical behaviors as set forth by the SDMS.
  • Take responsibility for one's actions.

 

In the case of an otherwise qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless doing so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the patient or student.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is invested in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Support Services is part of Student Services and is located in the K. Ray Bailey Student Services Center. For detailed information or to request accommodations visit Support Services. An appointment is recommended prior to enrollment in order to discuss any special concerns.