Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

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DMS-Specific Handbook

Program Description

See About the Profession and Our Program for complete descriptions of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.

Program-Specific Policies & Procedures

All DMS students will be required to sign the Student Responsibility Statement.

Supervision of Students

Clinical Supervision of Students: All Diagnostic Medical Sonography students must have adequate and proper supervision during all clinical assignments as specified by individual institutional, programmatic, and accreditation policies. The following conditions constitute adequate and appropriate supervision.

Procedure:

1. During the fall semester, direct one-on-one supervision with a sonographer will be provided to the student for all examination procedures regardless of type of exam or degree of difficulty. One-on-one supervision involves having a sonographer present during the entire procedure if a student is observing or performing an examination.
2. During spring semester, students will receive one-on-one supervision for examination procedures which, in the opinion of the supervising sonographer, are beyond the student’s capacity to perform without full supervision. If a procedure is determined to be within the student’s capacity to perform, partial direct supervision will be provided to the student. Partial direct supervision involves periodic checks on the student’s progress during an exam and assistance with the exam as requested by the student or at the discretion of the sonographer.
3. During the summer semester, students will receive one-on-one, partial, direct, or indirect supervision depending on the student’s capacity to perform an examination. If indirect supervision is deemed appropriate by the supervising sonographer, the student may perform the examination in its entirety without sonographer supervision. Sonographer assistance will be available at the student’s request. The supervising sonographer will scan after the student has completed the exam.
4. Any sonographic exam performed by a DMS student must also be scanned by a sonographer.

The DMS Program uses educational scanning labs as a component of the program. These labs are performed under the supervision of an appropriately credentialed sonographer. All scan lab models, including DMS students, are required to review and sign the Scan Model Consent and the Ultrasound Scan Lab Policy Form.

Procedure for Clinical Evaluations

Clinical Performance Evaluations:

1. The evaluation will assess the three domains of learning: cognitive (knowledge), affective (professional behaviors), and psychomotor (technical skills).
2. The student will receive a minimum of two clinical performance evaluations before the midpoint of the clinical component of the program and a minimum of two per semester.
3. Clinical instructor feedback will be used in the evaluation process.

Academic Probation

See CAHP academic probation policy.

Student Grievance

Purpose: The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program strives to promote an educational environment that values fair and equitable treatment among students, faculty, and staff. Despite this goal, differences among individuals may occasionally lead to conflicting circumstances that require a process for resolution to take place. The purpose of the Student Grievance Policy is to provide a framework to effectively resolve any justified complaint or grievance without retaliation.

Examples or Types of Grievances (but not limited to):

• Acts or threats of intimidation
• Acts or threats of physical aggression
• Acts of bias or unfair treatment by a fellow student, faculty or staff member which adversely effects the learning process
• Violation of student rights and responsibilities

Procedure:

1. Informal Process - Ideally, grievances can be resolved informally among the parties involved. Therefore, before a formal grievance process takes place, the student is encouraged to meet with the individual whose behavior warranted the grievance. If this action is not feasible, the student should contact the program director for possible resolution. A final option for informal resolution is to utilize an Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson identified for students on the UNMC campus is located in the Student Counseling Department. The informal meeting must take place within two weeks of the occurrence that caused the grievance.
2. Formal Process- If the student is not satisfied with the results of the informal process, or an informal resolution is not possible then he/she should initiate the formal process within 30 days of the occurrence.
   1. A formal statement of the grievance must be presented in writing to the Department Chair within the timeframe specified. (If the Chair is the individual involved, then the formal statement should be submitted to the Dean of the College of Allied Health Professions). The formal statement must include the following items: A) Full name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) making the charge; B) Full name of each person being charged, location of employment, and work telephone number; C) A concise and factual description of the specific incident(s) surrounding the grievance violation (the description should include a timeline of events); D) A proposed resolution
   2. The Chair (Dean, if applicable) will review the facts surrounding the grievance. If there is justified evidence that a grievance exists, then the grievance will be forwarded to the CAHP Faculty-Student Appeals (Grievance) Committee.
   3. Within two weeks after receiving the alleged grievance, the committee members will review the statement, convene to discuss the issues at hand, hear testimony, and consider all other facts pertaining to the grievance.
   4. Both parties will have the right to present testimony, evidence, and witnesses. Each party shall have the right to seek legal counsel in the preparation of statements concerning the grievance; however, they may not be represented by counsel in discussions with the committee. Each party shall have the right to hear all testimony surrounding the grievance. The hearing will be closed to the public.
   5. In all proceedings where the complaint touches upon questions of policies, rules and regulations, the CAHP Student Grievance Committee shall be guided by written policies, rules and regulations. The committee will make a decision on the grievance charge after reviewing all facts, testimony, and documentation. The committee’s decision or resolution will be made within two weeks following the hearing. Both parties involved will be notified of the decision in writing. A summary record of the proceedings will be maintained in a confidential file.

The student may appeal the decision of the Faculty-Student Appeals (Grievance) Committee, to the Office of the Dean. The Dean will review all documents surrounding the grievance, and make a decision within two weeks of receiving the appeal. Both parties involved will be notified of the decision in writing. The decision by the Dean will be final.

Clinical Compliance

Incidents: As general policy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography students will comply with the policies and procedures with the clinical site at which they are assigned. It is the policy that there be written reports of all unusual incidents.

An incident is an occurrence which is not consistent with the routine operation of the institution or clinical rotation which may or did cause harm, involves possible negligence, requires some immediate consideration or action by a supervisor.

The student is expected to provide prompt, complete and accurate written documentation of the details related to any incidents, thus enabling corrective actions and/or programs for prevention. Students with signs and symptoms of an infectious process should immediately contact the program director for appropriate referral.

All incidents must immediately be reported to the clinical supervisor or immediate person in charge and the program director. Proper report forms must be completed.

Students with signs and symptoms of an infectious process should immediately contact the program director. Blood UNMC’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure policy will be followed.

Equipment Use and Operation: The profession of Sonography employs the use of highly specialized equipment. Any equipment failure or equipment that is not in proper working order must be reported immediately to the clinical supervisor. Do not place any calls to equipment representatives. Do not attempt to repair.

Pregnancy

The pregnancy policy is voluntary and intended to provide safety for pregnant students and their fetus. In the event of a suspected or confirmed pregnancy, it is the responsibility of the student to advise her program director in writing of her condition. Pregnancy will not affect the student’s enrollment in the academic courses in the program. The student will:

1. Provide the program director with written indication of intent to:
   1. continue in the program, or
   2. take a medical leave of absence with intent to complete the program (form available from CAHP Academic & Student Affairs), or
   3. withdraw from the program (form available from CAHP Academic and Student Affairs).
2. The student should provide the program director with written documentation from her physician providing medical advice for any limitations placed upon the student while enrolled in the program.
3. A student may also voluntarily withdraw their declaration of pregnancy in writing at any time.

Dress Code Policy

All students will dress in a professional manner, appropriate for the situation and according to the following guidelines.

Attire

1. All Diagnostic Medical Sonography students will wear Bahama Blue scrubs with or without a lab jacket for both class and clinic.
2. A solid white or gray shirt may be worn under the scrub top and must be tucked into the scrub pant.
3. Flat, enclosed-toe, neutral colored shoes are acceptable. Socks must be worn at all times.
4. Students will follow the surgical dress code policy of the clinical facility in which he or she is rotating.
   1. Students are to wear from home their uniform or proper street clothing and change into clean scrubs after they arrive at the hospital/clinic. At the end of the shift, the students are to change back into their uniform or proper street clothing.
   2. No scrub clothing provided by the hospital/clinic may be removed from the property. These scrubs must only be worn in the hospital/clinic buildings.

Accessories & Tattoos

1. Proper UNMC photo ID must be worn and visible at all times.
2. Simple jewelry may be worn with the uniform, i.e., small earrings, wedding rings, and watches.
3. Single and/or discreet piercings of the ears, nose, lip, tongue and eyebrow are permitted.
   1. Examples of piercings not permissible may include but are not limited to large or multiple loops in the eyebrows, lip or nose, visible transdermal implants, or piercings on other areas of the face.
   2. Ear gauges must be plugged with flesh colored plugs while in clinic.
4. Bandanas are not permitted.
5. All visible tattoos on the face or neck must be covered (except permanent makeup).
6. All visible tattoo designs that the average person would find offensive, including but not limited to hateful, violent, profane and/or nudity, must be completely covered.

Students are held responsible for their appearance and will be dismissed from clinic if inappropriately attired or groomed, per discretion of their clinical site. Should a clinical site have different policies, the student must adhere to those during the rotation. If a student is sent home from clinic due to a dress code violation, the amount of time missed from clinic will be deducted from the student comp time allotment.

Use of Technology

1. Personal phone calls during clinic hours must be kept to a minimum.
2. Personal technology may not be used during class or clinic unless for educational purposes or approved by class or clinical instructors.
3. Only department computers may be used for documenting clock in and clock out procedures via Trajecsys. Personal technology may not be used for this function.

Student Leave Time

Students enrolled in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program are given 16 hours of leave time for personal affairs each semester. It is intended to provide necessary time for planned or unplanned events without jeopardizing the student’s attendance record. Regarding the use of student leave time, the following guidelines must be followed:

1. Unused time allotted is not transferrable to a successive semester.
2. Students taking more than the allotted number of hours will be required to make up the time according to the discretion of the program director.
3. Unauthorized absenteeism may result in disciplinary actions.
4. A student may be required to furnish satisfactory medical proof of illness, disability or dental work.
5. It is recommended that suspected and confirmed pregnancy be reported to the program director. Time lost due to pregnancy must be made up according to the decision of the program director based on the Pregnancy Policies contained in this document.
6. Full time students may request up to 5 days of funeral/bereavement leave in the event of a death of an immediate family member. Documentation may need to be provided upon request.

Student Employment Guidelines

Students may not take the place of regular staff in the clinical areas to which they are assigned.

Personal Property

UNMC and all clinical affiliate sites are not responsible for student valuable possessions. All valuables and money should be monitored closely by each individual.

Inclement Weather Policy

If a student feels they are unable to travel to a clinical site or campus, it is the student's responsibility to communicate with their program director and/or clinical faculty. The amount of time will be deducted from their personal leave.