Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Kapi‘olani Community College Certificate of Achievement in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is NOT accredited by CAAHEP.

The State of Hawai‘i does not have licensure requirements for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

The mission of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Kapiʻolani Community College is to prepare competent entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended concentration and meet workforce needs for the state of Hawai’i.

The goals of this program are met through an intensive course of study and laboratory practice and supervised clinical practice in affiliated clinical hospitals.

The goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are:

1. Students will be clinically competent.
2. Students will develop critical thinking skills.
3. Students will model professionalism.
4. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
5. The program will meet workforce needs for sonographers in the state of Hawai‘i.

Upon completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of human systemic and sectional anatomy.
• Identify sonographic representation of normal and abnormal anatomy.
• Apply optimal scanning techniques and imaging principles for specific areas of interest in abdominal, obstetric-gynecologic, superficial parts, and endocavitary sonography.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of optimal scanning techniques and imaging principles for specific areas of interest in carotid vascular sonography and neurosonography.
• Perform appropriate mathematical and algebraic functions involved in acoustical physics and ultrasound instrumentation.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of acoustical physics.
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in optimal recording and analysis of data.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interactions between ultrasound and tissue.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ultrasound instrumentation.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement quality assurance programs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Doppler ultrasound, color flow imaging, and medical ultrasound imaging principles and instrumentation.
• Anticipate needs and provide for basic patient care and comfort.
• Exercise professional judgment and discretion in communicating with patients, co-workers, physicians, and the public concerning sonography.

DMS Program Effectiveness Data pending

Aptitudes and interests that may be helpful include a desire to make a difference in people’s lives, interest in science and technology, compassion, sensitivity, problem-solving and communication skills, and the ability to follow instructions

Upon acceptance to the DMS Program, the following clinical obligations will remain in effect for all enrolled students until program completion.

• University-prescribed academic requirements that involve clinical practice in a University-affiliated health care facility setting must be completed, with no substitutions allowed.
• Students will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to all geographically dispersed clinical settings.
• Clinical shifts may begin earlier than 6 am and may end later than 6 pm on weekdays; clinical shifts may be scheduled on weekends, institution-recognized holidays, or non-instructional days.
• Students will be responsible for satisfactorily completing any background checks and drug testing required by the affiliated healthcare facility to which they are assigned for clinical practice in accordance with procedures and timelines as prescribed by that healthcare facility.
• Students admitted to any of the Health Career Education programs with a clinical component will be required to purchase non-refundable professional liability insurance at the time of registration for program courses.
• Students will be responsible for submitting the following program-specific documentation prior to performing clinical activities:
  • Current BLS certification (CPR for Healthcare Providers or equivalent)
  • Certified criminal background check
  • Vaccination records for Rubeola (measles), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Tdap, & Influenza
  • TB clearance
  • COVID-19 vaccination record, and booster(s) when eligible
  • Hepatitis B titer record
• NOTE: Non-vaccinated students and less than fully vaccinated students, regardless of test result (i.e., even if the test is negative), may be ineligible for some educational activities (e.g., clinical and fieldwork), which may prevent them from completing educational requirements, employment opportunities, and/or participation in certain face-to-face activities.

The entire DMS Program professional curriculum contains distance education courses. Most lecture courses are either asynchronous online through the campus learning management system (LMS) or synchronous online through ZOOM. The in-person positioning, laboratory, and clinical courses are hybrid, with up to 50% of content provided through the LMS. Please refer to the DMS Curriculum for the specific status of each program course.

Requirements: All program students should have regular access to a computer and the internet. There are no additional fees associated with the program’s distance education courses.