Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Academic Support

Free academic help, including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support, available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support). 

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to the program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of class (or sooner) to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL. 

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted. *Students in the final summer will not have enough credits to qualify for student loans and state grants. The federal PELL grant is prorated.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Pre-Program Information

Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, admissions requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Program Health Advisement page.

Criminal Background Check

This is an admission requirement. Students will be provided direction on how to request a criminal background check from a third-party vendor. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial will result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Courses Available to Pre-Program Students

By completing these courses ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-program students complete these courses while waiting to enroll in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-program students will NOT be able to finish the program early; program core courses must be taken sequentially.

The courses listed below are available to pre-program students:

• 834-110 Elementary Algebra w/ Applications*
• 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry*
• 543-300 Nursing Assistant*
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology
  • Note: 806-177 and 806-207 require chemistry with a "C" or higher (836-133 and 806-254, respectively)*
• 501-101 Medical Terminology
• 804-113 College Technical Math 1A*
• 806-154 General Physics I (804-113 is a pre-requisite)*
• 806-179 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology
• 809-196 Introduction to Sociology
• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication
• 809-198 Introduction to Psychology

*These courses are admission requirements. 

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Program Information

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to a computer with an internet connection. Chrome Books are not recommended. Additionally, students will be required to have a web cam and headset with a microphone and speakers. Students may purchase a webcam and headset from anywhere they choose. 

Having access to a laptop/computer with reliable Wi-Fi will be necessary. Please check your laptop/computer to make sure that it meets the minimum recommended specifications below:

Windows/PC	Mac
Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (preferred) Windows 8.1 (32 or 64-bit) RAM: 8GB Hard Drive: 256GB SSD Processor: 2.4+ GHz	Operating System: Mojave v10.14 or later (preferred) High Sierra v10.13 or later RAM: 8GB Hard Drive: 256GB SSD Processor: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz or faster

Pre-Entrance Health History and Physical Exam

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be completed and on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. The Admissions Office will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline.

Healthcare Prep Seminar

This program requires attendance at a two-day in-person Healthcare Prep Seminar the week before the fall semester begins. Students will be sent invitations to these sessions via email and/or postal mail. Students will get to meet their cohort and faculty, complete CPR training, learn more about the program and resources, and how to be successful in the program.

Mandatory Meeting

New core program students will be invited to an informational meeting prior to starting the core classes. Invitations will be sent through email and postal mail. Please make sure we have a current email address and mailing address on file.

CPR

Obtain and maintain current CPR certification through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. The certification required is BLS Provider or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Proof must be verified with a current CPR card or an electronic certificate. Class rosters and letters from instructors or employers are not acceptable. The instructor will ask for a copy of the card or electronic certificate on the first day of clinical courses. CVTC offers 531-454 CPR-BLS Provider; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars.

It is recommended that students obtain their CPR certification during the healthcare prep seminar to assure it is valid throughout the course of the program. If CPR certification expires during the program, it must be renewed before expiration to continue in courses.

Clinical Compliance

To be in compliance with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies.

Second and Fourth Semester Students

Due to the rigor and time commitment of the program, it will be difficult to maintain employment in this program.

Relocation for Clinical Training

Relocation may be in any state within the Midwest region. CVTC tries to place students within a three-hour radius of Eau Claire, if possible, but proximity is not guaranteed. Past placements have been as far as six hours from Eau Claire.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Technical Standards

Technical Standards have been established to serve as a guidance tool for students entering into the profession of sonography. These standards present a realistic standard for students to function successfully in the program and, ultimately in the profession.

Objectives of the program may require the student to possess:

Area	Functions (not inclusive) with or without reasonable accommodations
Physical Skills	Bend, stretch, twist, reach with your body above shoulders, below waist, and in front Transfer and position patients applying principles of safe body mechanics Provide direct patient Manipulate, assemble, and move equipment Document patient condition Maintain physical activity for several hours Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders in order to maintain prolonged positions required for scanning Manual dexterity sufficient to enable fine finger and wrist angulations over an extended period of time Exceptional hand-eye coordination Distinguish subtle audible sounds Visual acuity (ability to see fine lines), color distinctions and gradual changes in blacks and grays Ability to conceptualize images in 2-D/3-D/4D forms
Sensory Skills	Detect differences in body and environmental odors Understand and respond to patient requests and needs Detect environmental hazards Detect warning signals on equipment displays Detect subtle changes or differences (e.g. pulse, rash, temperature)
Communication Skills	Speak, read, and write English Listen and comprehend spoken and written English Collaborate with others Respond to others in an accepting and respectful manner
Critical Thinking Skills	Apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a clinical setting Identify cause-effect relationships Comprehend and follow instructions Follow processes from start to finish; sequence information Adapt decisions based on new information Maintain focus in an environment with distractions Make safe judgements
Professionalism	Establish a professional working relationship with the health care team, peers, instructors, patients, and families Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills Demonstrate impulse control and professional level of maturity Maintain appropriate boundaries in relationships with patients and peers Handle demanding and stressful situations Respect/value diversity in others Negotiate interpersonal conflict DMS Technical Standards Demonstrate tolerance in working with others Effective oral and written communication with patients and other health care professionals Maintain confidential health care information (including by refraining from posting any confidential patient information on social media)
Safety	Wear personal protective equipment for safe practices (gloves, masks, eyewear, gown) Tolerate heat and humidity Work in an environment that may contain common allergens Adhere to safety/emergency protocols Recognize and respond to hazardous conditions Maintain health care requirements Carefully handle supplies and equipment throughout the course

The work of a sonographer involves risks and discomforts that require special safety precautions, additional safety education, and health risk monitoring.  It also may involve working with sharps, chemicals, infectious diseases, and debilitating illnesses.  Sonographers may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, goggles, and gloves.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024 @ 11:43 a.m.