Technical Performance Standards

Central Arizona College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for qualified individuals with disabilities who request accommodations. These accommodations ensure equal access to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and participation in its courses, services, activities, and facilities. However, accommodations will not include modifications to the curriculum that alter essential program functions or academic requirements.

The following technical performance standards describe the essential physical, sensory, cognitive, and interpersonal skills necessary for successful completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. These standards reflect the requirements for clinical competency and the physical demands of the sonography profession. Prospective students should carefully review these standards to assess their ability to meet these expectations prior to applying to the program.

1. Visual Skills
   • Ability to differentiate between subtle variations in color, shape, and appearance when performing ultrasound examinations.
   • Must be able to observe patients from a distance or close at hand, accurately read and interpret visual data from ultrasound equipment, and recognize biohazardous fluids.
   • Visual acuity to view ultrasound images (grayscale and color) and interpret diagnostic images clearly.
2. Hearing Abilities
   • Ability to hear and respond to patient needs, such as recognizing patient identification in noisy environments.
   • Ability to hear and respond to sounds from ultrasound equipment, alarms, and other signals in clinical settings.
   • Effective communication with patients, staff, and faculty in various auditory environments, including emergency situations.
3. Communication Skills
   • Effective oral and written communication skills to interact with patients, healthcare providers, and other team members.
   • Ability to explain procedures to patients and their families, as well as document patient information accurately.
   • Sufficient English proficiency to comprehend written materials, such as clinical documentation, and communicate clearly with patients and colleagues.
4. Motor Skills and Mobility
   • Physical ability to perform procedures such as positioning and transferring patients, operating ultrasound equipment, and standing for extended periods.
   • Must be able to perform clinical procedures efficiently, including the manipulation of ultrasound equipment, patient positioning, and adjusting settings on diagnostic equipment.
   • Ability to perform life-saving measures such as CPR and respond quickly to emergencies.
5. Interpersonal Skills and Emotional Maturity
   • Ability to interact professionally, empathetically, and effectively with patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and peers in stressful and high-pressure environments.
   • Ability to manage stress and perform well under the physical and emotional demands of the program.
   • Ability to accept constructive feedback and respond appropriately to improve performance.
   • Compassion, integrity, sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to communicate with patients of diverse backgrounds.
6. Cognitive and Intellectual Abilities
   • Ability to process, analyze, and integrate information quickly, including performing technical and critical thinking tasks in real-time.
   • Must be able to learn, analyze, and synthesize complex information from textbooks, lectures, and clinical environments.
   • Ability to make accurate judgments, calculate measurements, and recognize spatial relationships to produce quality diagnostic images.

These technical performance standards ensure that all students meet the essential requirements for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography profession, allowing them to provide high-quality patient care while maintaining the safety and integrity of clinical procedures. Students who require accommodations are encouraged to contact the appropriate college services for assistance, while also ensuring they can meet the essential technical standards of the program.

Waiver of Licensure/Certification Guarantee

Admission to or graduation from the Central Arizona College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not guarantee certification as a registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Certification requirements, including the procedures for obtaining certification, are the exclusive responsibility of the ARDMS. It is important for students to understand that meeting the program’s graduation requirements does not automatically result in certification.

Criminal/Ethical Violations

Students must satisfy the requirements of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and any applicable state or federal regulations independently of any college or program requirements for graduation. According to the ARDMS, every candidate for certification must “be a person of good moral character” and must not have engaged in conduct that is inconsistent with the ARDMS Code of Ethics. They must also agree to comply with ARDMS’s Rules and Regulations and Standards of Ethics. Certain types of criminal convictions may make an applicant ineligible for certification.

These documents are available for review from the Program Director and on the ARDMS website: https://www.ardms.org.

Students are encouraged to disclose any issues related to the ARDMS Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations, and Standards of Ethics. A charge, conviction, or plea of guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) constitutes a conviction for ARDMS certification purposes.

Students should use the ARDMS Ethics Review Preapplication if they have faced:

• Misdemeanor or felony charges or convictions
• Military courts-martial
• Disciplinary actions taken by a state or federal regulatory authority or certification board
• Serious violations of professional ethics, such as patient abuse, violating patient confidentiality, or academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating)

Exceptions that do not need to be reported include:

• Offenses committed while a juvenile and processed through the juvenile court system
• Traffic violations that did not involve drugs or alcohol (e.g., speeding or parking tickets)
• Charges that were dismissed without any court-imposed conditions
• Expunged cases (must have specific court documents attesting to the expungement)

Background Check & Drug Testing

All allied health and nursing students who seek to enroll in Central Arizona College’s healthcare programs must complete a criminal background check as well as a drug screening. The outlined criteria have been created based on our clinical affiliate requirements. These partners have stringent background check standards that preclude CAC from assigning students to their sites who cannot meet those standards. Clinical affiliates additionally require that students demonstrate a negative drug screen prior to attending their clinical experience. For CAC students to be able to continue to complete clinical experiences at local hospitals, students must meet these standards. The background check and drug screening will occur during the first trimester of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Zero Tolerance Guidelines

The Central Arizona College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program enforces Zero Tolerance Guidelines for the following behaviors:

1. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to any person on campus or at a clinical site, or intentionally or recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
2. Unauthorized use or possession of any weapon or explosive device on campus or at a clinical site.
3. Unauthorized use, distribution, or possession of any controlled substances or illegal drugs for any purpose (e.g., distribution or personal use) on campus or at a clinical site.
4. Unconsented or unauthorized photographing, videotaping, or posting to social media of students, patients, or any clinical or classroom activity, either in the ultrasound lab or at clinical sites.
5. Discussing private or protected health information (PHI) of students or patients outside the classroom or clinical setting, which is a violation of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.

Any Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program student engaging in these behaviors will be subject to immediate dismissal from classes and may face further disciplinary action as outlined in the Central Arizona College Student Handbook.