Required Physical & Cognitive Skills
Applicants must present evidence of good health and be able to meet the physical/mental requirements of the program which include lifting and positioning the patients, manipulating all ultrasound equipment and dealing with the demands of both the program and clinical site requirements.
Shoulder, wrist, back, and neck problems may prohibit the ability to perform ultrasound studies. Left handness may present additonal challenges for sonography students.
A Health Profile Form (see website) must be completed as part of the application documents. Students are required to have a physical exam and up-to-date vaccinations, particularly rubella, TB and hepatitis B. Current CPR certification through American Heart Association (AHA) is also required prior to clinical rotations.
The following are required skills of sonographers and sonography students:
1) Read, write and communicate effectively in English.
2) Possess emotional and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the profession.
3) Position, move and lift patients in wheelchairs and stretchers
4) Maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning.
5) Position and move ultrasound equipment on wheels (up to 500 lbs)
6) Effectively operate sonographic equipment.
7) Evaluate sonograms in order to acquire appropriate diagnostic information.
8) Integrate diagnostic sonograms, laboratory results, patient history and medical records, and adapt sonographic examination as necessary.
9) Use independent judgment to acquire the optimum diagnostic sonographic information in each examination performed.
10) Evaluate, synthesize and communicate diagnostic information to the attending physician.
11) Communicate effectively with the patient and the health care team, recognizing the special nature of sonographic examinations and patient's needs.
12) Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and health care team.
13) Follow established departmental procedures.
14) Work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.