The diagnostic medical sonography program is housed within the new RRCC Arvada campus which is home to several other healthcare programs including Physician Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nurse Aide, Radiologic Technology, Integrated Health Professions, and Massage Therapy. The modern campus houses new lab facilities, and a variety of services including financial aid, advising, admissions, food service, bookstore, etc.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography prepares students for a career in ultrasound as a diagnostic medical sonographer. The program is full-time, spanning 21 months/5 semesters, and is held at the Arvada campus, with clinical internships at area hospitals and clinics. The first two semesters of the program are spent in the classroom and lab, and the remaining 3 semesters are spent at assigned clinical sites.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the following ARDMS certification exams:
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Abdomen (AB)
- Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN)
- Registered Vascular Technology (RVT)
- Sonographic Principles & Instrument Implementation (SPI)
Due to the fast-paced and rigorous nature of the program, students are encouraged to have little to no outside employment responsibilities while enrolled. Please see Cost of Program for more information about financial resources available to students.
Individuals interested in any of the Medical Imaging programs should consider attending one of the Medical Imaging Information Sessions.
Medical Imaging is a dynamic, fast growing, and highly technical field in healthcare. The Medical Imaging Education department at Red Rocks Community College provides the opportunity for students to learn in the classroom, lab and clinical settings from highly qualified and experienced instructors. The hands-on clinical internship component of each program affords students the opportunity to work in both large and small medical facilities under the supervision of qualified staff, while utilizing their learned skills on actual patients. Graduates are eligible for entry-level positions in the field and to take the certifying board exams required for licensing and practicing the profession.
Sonographers perform ultrasound examinations of patients for diagnostic purposes. Sonographers perform ultrasound examinations of patients for diagnostic purposes. Typical duties include:
- Create and interpret ultrasound images of organs, tissues, and blood flow
- Recognize normal vs. abnormal conditions and modify exam as appropriate
- Provide a summary of findings to interpreting physician
Employment
RRCC does not offer formal job placement services, but enrolled students can seek assistance via the Career Success Center. To see current job placement rates for graduates of the program, please see the section titled Why Choose RRCC for more information.
Average Hourly Wages for Sonographers: $23-33
Projected growth (2014-2024): Much faster than average
Projected job openings (2014-2024): 27,500
Career Paths
The following are specialties associated with diagnostic medical sonography. Training for AB, OB, and VT certification is included in the AAS degree. Other specialties listed require further certification. Visit the ARDMS website for more information about requirements.
- Abdomen (AB) (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
- Obstetrics (OB)/Gynecology (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
- Vascular Technology (VT) (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
- Adult Echocardiography (AE)
- Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)
- Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
- Musculoskeletal (MSK)
- Pediatric Sonography (PS)
When enrolled in the clinical internship courses, students typically spend 36-40 hours per week at a healthcare facility. Students can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts on weekdays and weekends, during the day, at night, or overnight. Students provide their own transportation to clinical facilities, which may be located within a 150-mile radius from the college. However, sites are limited and it is possible you may be placed out of state. For a list of current clinical sites, please see the Clinical Affiliates section above.
Our Radiologic Technology Program is committed to excellence in education demonstrated by providing effective, hands-on instruction in the classroom and clinical settings. Graduates of the program provide safe, person-centered care and quality diagnostic services to the community as radiologic technologists.
RTE Program Goals & Student Learning Outcomes
Goal #1: Students will be clinically competent
- Students will demonstrate competency in patient positioning
- Students will demonstrate competency in technical skills
- Students will demonstrate competency in patient care and patient safety skills
Goal #2: Students will communicate effectively
- Students will demonstrate competency in verbal communication skills
- Students will demonstrate competency in written communication skills
Goal #3: Students will employ effective critical thinking skills
- Students will effectively adapt radiographic exam methods to accommodate challenging scenarios
- Students will properly evaluate images for diagnostic quality
Goal #4: Students will be properly prepared to earn the ARRT credential
- Students will successfully pass mock ARRT prep exams
- Students will promptly complete all ARRT required competencies
The radiologic technology program is housed within the new RRCC Arvada campus which is home to several other healthcare programs including Physician Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nurse Aide, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Integrated Health Professions, and Massage Therapy. The modern campus houses new lab facilities, and a variety of services including financial aid, advising, admissions, food service, bookstore, etc.
Program Highlights
- For 5 years running, 100% of all program graduates have passed the ARRT exam on the first try!
- Instructors are highly experienced
- Students have access to multiple types of x-ray equipment for hands-on practice
- Students receive a well-rounded, hands-on training experience at clinical sites
- JRCERT accredited
- High completion rate, ARRT pass rate, and job placement rates (see JRCERT Program Effectiveness Data or the JRCERT Accredited Program Details (link is external))
Clinical Affiliates
Current clinical affiliations include (subject to change):
- St. Anthony’s Hospital (Lakewood)
- St. Anthony’s North (Westminster)
- 84th Neighborhood Clinic (Westminster)
- Lutheran Medical Center (Wheat Ridge)
- St. Joseph’s Hospital (Denver)
- Kaiser Permanente (Denver)
- Good Samaritan Medical Center (Lafayette)
- Platte Valley Medical Center (Brighton)
- Invision Sally Jobe (Golden, Littleton)
- Miramont Wellness Center (Ft. Collins)
- Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center (Golden)
- Porter Adventist Hospital (Denver)
- St. Anthony Breckenridge Mountain Clinic (Breckenridge)
- St. Anthony Keystone Mountain Clinic (Keystone)
RRCC is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), and its programs are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and Colorado Community College System.
The Red Rocks Community College radiologic technology program is also accredited by:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail.jrcert.org
The program's current accreditation award is 8 years (the maximum award term granted). For general program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter visit JRCERT Accredited Program Details. www.jrcert.org provides information about the JRCERT Standards and the reporting process.
Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.
Red Rocks Community College offers courses in Arvada, Lakewood and online as well as hybrid courses.
In collaboration with Colorado 4-year schools, Colorado has developed a statewide guaranteed transfer program to create a seamless transfer.
Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.