We Proudly Present Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduate Katy Lighthart

“If you don't have a shadow, then you are not standing in your light,” says Katy Lighthart, Rockford Career College graduate. Ready for a new career, Katy was not afraid to step into her light. She enrolled in our Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and studied hard, never losing sight of her goal. We are extremely proud of her for graduating on the Dean's List and beginning her dream career.

What You Learn in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS Program

Our career programs are designed to provide students with relevant, in-demand skills. Our AAS programs go beyond by allowing students to complete an advanced level of course work in their chosen field and develop general education skill sets in areas such as English, history, and math. For each graduate of a program, we highlight three different courses. During the program, Katy took courses such as: Introduction to Basic Scanning, Ethics and Medical Law in Sonography, and Anatomy and Physiology I. 

In these courses, she learned about:

• Techniques in patient preparation, clinical history taking, patient positioning, scanning techniques for and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, screen image orientation, cross-sectional anatomy, transducer orientation, manipulation and identification of vascular and organ landmarks, the use of acoustic windows and basic knobology adjustments for deep organ scanning, techniques in writing technical impression with the use of appropriate sonographic terminology, ultrasound equipment, basic lab scanning, and ergonomics
• The legal and ethical issues that face the healthcare professional, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, informed consent, professional liability, the sonographer's scope of practice, and patient safety and communication
• Cellular structure, tissues, cellular transport mechanisms, cell division, homeostasis, and the organization and divisions of the human body; the structure and function of the organs of the human body; and the interrelationships of the body’s systems with emphasis on the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, nervous, and endocrine systems

In addition to sonography-related courses, Katy took courses such as Introduction to Psychology and Written Communications to complete general education requirements for her associate degree.

How Our Graduate Became a Sonographer

Like Katy, you too could become a diagnostic medical sonographer and start your career journey in this interesting and necessary profession. This program is accredited through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Upon successful completion of the program, you could acquire the RT (S) (Registered Technologist-Sonography) credential in Abdomen and Obstetrics by passing the ARRT exam.

Rockford Career College's Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS Program at a Glance

Program Length: 19 months
Learning Environment: Blended program incorporating on-campus and online elements
Link to Lead Instructor
Job Outlook: 15% increase in the U.S. projected from 2020–2030¹

Find out more about our diagnostic medical sonography program today. Call 888.680.6682 or submit the Request Information form on our website. We are here to assist you with completing the enrollment process, exploring your financial aid options, finding a free tutor, connecting with local employers, and much more. It's not too late to start standing in your light and following your dream career path.

Reference:
¹ National Center for O*NET Development.  Illinois Employment Trends: 29-2032.00 - Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.  O*NET OnLine.  Retrieved 1/5/2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-2032.00?st=IL&g=Go

#college #sonographer #ultrasoundtech #sonography #rockfordcareercollege #rccrocks