Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (Ultrasound), Cert

Prerequisites 

The prerequisites for the Certificate in Cardiac Sonography include completing JRCDMS prerequisites and fulfilling the domain requirements for a bachelor’s degree: 

JRDMS PREREQUISITES 

All applicants must possess a previous degree (associates or bachelors) in any field. All candidates must complete the following required JRCDMS course prerequisites with in the past 5 years:

• Anatomy and Physiology, two-part sequence with labs (AHCJ 250 and AHCJ 251 available at LLU as an evening class)
• Medical Terminology (can be taken as an online class at another accredited junior college)
• Intro to Physics (no lab)
• College Algebra. Can have a higher level class, such as Calculus
• Patient Care Methods (can be taken before entering the program at LLU the Summer prior to starting the program)
• Complete 8 hours of observation. After your application to the program is complete you can do your observation at Loma Linda University Medical Center sonography department after October.

Other Requirements

• The program’s admission threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Competitive applicants typically present a GPA of at least 3.5.
• Applicants are required to complete a background check and possess a current Health Care Provider CPR card offered by the American Heart Association. To remain in the program students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass three program milestones, pass a mock board exam, and adhere to the Program’s professional code of conduct. Students at some clinical sites may need a drug test.
• Essential Job Functions- The essential job functions of a sonographer require certain physical, mental, & emotional attributes.  Physical demands include lifting; carrying; bending; manipulation of equipment; patient assistance; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read; and the ability to communicate effectively.  Mental, emotional, and affective demands include: critical decision making, interaction with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintaining patient confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to repeat previously learned information, and interacting appropriately.  Students must maintain essential job functions throughout the program.  A complete list of essential job functions will be made available during the interview process.
• Eligibility for ARDMS Credential- Eligibility for the ARDMS credentialing exam may be affected if the applicant has a prior felony or misdemeanor conviction. Prior to applying to this program the applicant should contact the ARDMS at 800-862-7367 to determine if eligibility will be granted.

* Please note: Information in the University catalog may differ from our online info. Our web info was updated after the catalog was published. In the catalog- Track 1 is in reference to the General Medical Sonography option and Track 2 is in reference to the Cardiac Sonography option.

Deadlines

All prerequisites must be completed by May of the same year that you plan to start the program. It is preferred that all required JRCDMS course prerequisites be completed within the last 5 years. Completing GE Courses at LLU Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Physics and other GE courses are offered through the School of Allied Health Professions Basic Sciences Department.

Important Dates

• Application Window: September 1 to January 10
• Priority Deadline: November 10
• Final Deadline: December 31

Attending the LLU Open House gives you eligibility to receive the $60 application fee waiver.

Program Resources

______ Read all the information on the LLU Sonography WEB page (llu.edu/sonography).  Should you have any questions after reviewing the information on the WEB page, please contact us.

______ Have your transcripts reviewed and an academic plan established with an academic counselor or advisor from the regionally accredited institution you are attending or plan to attend to complete the program prerequisites and requirements.

______ Plan to complete all prerequisite courses by the end of May of the year you would like to begin the program and have your course plan verified by LLU personnel.

______ Submit an application to the Sonography program online (llu.edu/apply) during the application window. There is an application fee. 

______ Order all OFFICIAL transcripts to be sent directly from all institutions to Admissions Processing as soon as the application has been submitted, even if you have courses in progress.  

______ Register for and attend the required Ultrasound Information Session prior to scheduling the required observation.  Please note that after you have submitted an application, you will be sent a link to register for the Ultrasound Information Session once the dates have been determined.  Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged once it becomes available.  Once a date has been established for your attendance, the program director, Marissa Brooks, or the clinical coordinator, Chelsea Vatow, will send you the specific details via email.  The session will take approximately 1-2 hours on that day.

______ Schedule and attend the required observation.  You will not be able to observe without first having attended the required Ultrasound Information Session.  Furthermore, to observe, your OFFICIAL transcripts should have been received and reviewed by Admissions for verification of your prerequisites at this point or at least an Enrollment Verification Letter submitted from institutions that will not release official transcripts with courses in progress.  A link will then be sent to you via email so that you can choose a date to observe.  Spaces are limited, so please try to set up an observation as soon as possible.  If we run out of dates for you to observe prior to interviews, you will need to reapply the following year.

______ Schedule and attend the interview.  In order to be eligible for the interview, you must have completed all the aforementioned steps—submitted an application, attended the required Ultrasound Information Session, submitted your OFFICIAL transcripts for review by LLU personnel, AND then completed the observation. 

Note:  If you live out of state or have extenuating circumstances, please contact us and we will try to make other arrangements.

Goals of the Program

• Prepare students for entry level practice in abdominal, OB/GYN, adult cardiac, and vascular sonography through comprehensive academic and clinical training.

• Develop strong clinical and technical skills through consistent production of high quality diagnostic ultrasound exams and hands on patient care experience.

• Emphasize patient centered care, professional communication, teamwork, and compassionate interaction with diverse patient populations and healthcare teams.

• Foster critical thinking, ethical practice, adaptability, and professional growth to prepare graduates for success across a variety of healthcare settings.

Our Mission

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Loma Linda University, School of Allied Health Professions, provides a quality educational experience focused on the whole person. The program prepares students to take the national board exam, become entry-level sonographers, and be equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors appropriate for providing excellent patient care and working on a health care team.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be known by our students, alumni, clinical instructors, faculty, professional community, and staff as the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program of choice. Additionally, we want the program experience to be known as "a close family" that is exciting, challenging, and transforming.

Our Values

We will accomplish our mission and vision by setting and achieving high standards of excellence in professional behavior, academic and clinical education, customer service, and collaborative success, while living by the Loma Linda University values of excellence, integrity, compassion, self-control, humility, freedom, and justice

The Loma Linda University Sonography programs have been fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) in general sonography and vascular and echocardiography since October 7,1985. Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775

Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

Program Outcomes

• Cardiac Program Accreditation Info