ACDS - Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography (AAS)
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Additional Information
Computer Skills and Access
Cardiovascular Sonography students are required to demonstrate a variety of computer skills throughout the program. All students must be able to access the Parker University's online teaching platform, for instruction and dissemination of information. Some cardiovascular sonography courses may operate with part of the content to be completed online, and the remainder of the content delivered in the on-campus setting. Students are assigned a Parker University email address upon admission to the University. Students may utilize library computers on campus to check their Parker University email accounts and to access the university's Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS and email accounts should be checked frequently for assignments, announcements and/or messages.
Admission Requirements
Application for admission to Parker University is a separate process which must be completed prior to applying to the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program. Please see the Parker University website (http://www.parker.edu ) for the Parker University admission process.
All applicants applying for admission into the DCS program must complete and meet the
following requirements:
Students are required to successfully complete all prerequisite classes for the Associate of Science in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography.
A grade of “C” or better in all courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) must be earned to be eligible to progress to the professional phase of the program.
An acceptable level -3 criminal background screening will be required for all beginning the program. Students with criminal charges and /or convictions may not be eligible for admission.
If an applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, the applicant may be denied acceptance to the university without further reason. If the applicant should be granted acceptance, the applicant acknowledges that he/she may not be able to obtain clinical experience, licensure in a/any state upon graduation based on his/her criminal record. The applicant will agree that the university will not be held liable in the case of failure to progress in clinical rotation and /or achieve licensure. Failure to disclose a misdemeanor or felony to the university is grounds for dismissal.
A drug and alcohol screening will be required for all students beginning the program.
If a student submits any healthcare degree which requires licensure (RT. RN. LPN/LVN. PA. DC. MD.), the student must also submit proof of good standing.
Each DCS applicant is asked to write a personal essay in APA format regarding the following prompt: Why did you choose a career in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, outline your specific career goals in medical imaging and what can you tell us about sonography? Using the criteria above, the essay will be examined by all committee members. AI submissions will be automatically denied.
Step 1
Enroll in Parker University and begin to take relevant DCS pre-professional phase requirements.
Admissions to Parker University does not guarantee admission to the DCS program.
The DCS program considers applicants on their eligibility and completion of admission requirements.
Students must have completed all the required 25 pre-diagnostic sonography credit hours (general course work) with a grade of “C” or better and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of submission to the DCS program.
Prerequisite Anatomy & Physiology courses must have been taken within five years prior to admission.
Please note: Students who do not meet the coursework requirements will not be allowed to progress to the DCS curriculum. Students must earn a grade of a “C” or better in all required pre-professional courses. If a student earns a grade of a “D” or “F”, he/she must repeat the course to be eligible for admission. If the student wishes to repeat the course to continue his/her program of study, he/she will be required to go through the re-entry process as outlined in the Parker University catalog.
Step 2
Required Documentation
Immunizations:
Students must have proof of all immunization requirements before applying to the DCS program. Students without proof of completed immunizations will not be considered for entrance into the program. NO EXEMPTIONS!
Completed Hepatitis B Series
Please note: The Texas Department of State Health Services requires that all students enrolled in health profession programs that are exposed to blood and body fluid must have completed the Hepatitis B Series prior to direct patient care. The Hepatitis B Series includes three injections. Hepatitis B is a 3-stage series that will take at least 6 months to administer. There is also a two-stage series that can be administered in place.
Meningitis (MV)
Please note: Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 1107 requiring all entering university students under the aged of 22 to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.
Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
Varicella
Tetanus and Diphtheria
Tuberculosis test, within the last 12 months: (If the TB test comes back positive, then results from a current annual chest x-ray will need to be provided.)
Influenza
§ Please note: Clinical sites have the right to refuse students who have asked for exemptions from immunization. For that reason, we are unable to offer immunization exemptions for students.
CPR Certification
Basic Life Support (BLS training from the American Heart Association CPR required
Please note: Students must possess a current BLS CPR healthcare provider card. The student’s card must not expire while participating in the DS program. If your BLS CPR healthcare provider card expires during your time in the program, you may be pulled from your clinical site education.
Step 3
Write a one-page minimum personal essay in APA format explaining: Why did you choose a career in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, outline your specific career goals in medical imaging and what can you tell us about sonography?
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
APA format
AI use is prohibited
Proper grammar, spelling, and formatting are all expected
Step 4
Complete and submit the online DCS program application which can be found on https://my.parker.edu/ICS/Future_Students/.
Include all supporting documents required from Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. All documents not uploaded during the application should be emailed to the Program Support Specialist.
Note: Volunteer, observation in sonography, and reference letters are not required, nor will they incur any extra consideration. Nonetheless, they may be submitted to the Program Support Specialist as supplemental to a student’s portfolio. A student without these components will not be penalized.
Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program online application and all required documents must be submitted by the designated due date. Incomplete applications and/or requirements, in addition to applications received after the application due date will NOT be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. Submission of application does not guarantee an interview. Interviews will be determined by the number of applicants each year.
Application Due Date – July 1st
Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Start – September
Step 5
Complete and submit the online DCS program application which can be found on www.parker.edu. Include all supporting documents required from Step 1, Step 2, Step, 3 and Step 4.
Selection
The DCS program will accept 15 students a year. The number of students accepted may vary from year to year based upon the number of appropriate clinical sites available for clinical placements throughout the length of the program.
Application to the program does not constitute admission.
Completion and academic strength, past failures and withdrawals in all prerequisite courses may impact consideration for admission.
Evaluation of all academic experience, past failure and withdrawals in other sonography programs will impact consideration for admission.
It should be noted that not all applicants who meet minimum selection criteria will be invited to a personal interview.
The Selection Committee reserves the right to request additional interviews before the final report is generated.
Acceptance
Students will be notified of acceptance with an acceptance letter by email from the Program Support Specialist. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with their email and notify Parker University if they have any change of address. Once accepted into the program, it is the students’ responsibility to notify the DCS program director in writing immediately of any subsequent changes in criminal history that occur after the admission background check has been completed.
Failure to disclose changes in criminal history will result in dismissal from the program.
Drug screening is performed as a condition of acceptance into the DCS program.
Please note: Students will need to sign a waiver acknowledging that they may be dismissed from the program if they fail to meet the requirements to be placed in a clinical setting.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical Education is an important part of the curriculum of the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Program. Supervised clinical experience is essential for professional preparation, as it provides the students with a “hands-on” opportunity to integrate academic knowledge with clinical skills in a professional setting.
Students are not allowed to receive compensation for hours worked during clinical experience. Clinical experience will consist of 40 working hours per week in the students’ assigned clinical site. Students will be graded on clinical performance just as they are classroom instruction.
Every effort will be made to provide local clinical experiences; however, students are not guaranteed local clinical placements and should expect clinical experience to be outside the area requiring traveling to and from the facility or possible relocation. Students do not have the option of choosing their clinical site or shift.
Prior to clinical experiences students will be required to provide proof of statement of good health, immunization record, medical/health insurance, CPR/BLS, drug screening and level-3 background check. If a student has a felony or misdemeanor on their record, they may not be placed in a hospital, pediatric or diagnostic imaging facility for their clinical experience. This may interfere with their ability to graduate.
Interactions with patients in health care carries inherent risks to both the patient and health care provider. Students participating in the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Program may be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids and communicable diseases. All students are expected to provide appropriate care to all assigned patients regardless of their medical diagnosis. Some of the medical diagnoses’ patients may have include tuberculosis, MRSA, hepatitis A, B, or C, HIV, COVID-19 or other transmittable diseases. Students may also care for patients who are unidentified carriers of infectious disease. As in many health professions and programs, students may occasionally be exposed to bodily injuries and environmental hazards.
Technical Standards
In addition to academic and performance standards, students must be able to meet and maintain the following technical standards for the purpose of admission and continuation in the program:
Communicate Effectively: Ability to interact with patients and healthcare professionals in both written and verbal form. Be able to articulate in a clear and distinct manner procedures, instructions and oral reports.
Cognitive: Ability to execute complex mental processes. Obtain and retain didactic knowledge including many procedures and protocols with the ability to apply this knowledge for the purpose of collecting, interpreting, and integrating information to make examination related decisions. Utilize problem-solving skills while performing sonographic procedures to establish the best diagnostic information possible.
Coordination: Gross body coordination such as maintain balance, hand-eye coordination, arm-hand steadiness and precision. Dexterity to operate control panel while manipulating transducer simultaneously.
Visual and Hearing: Ability to distinguish color on Doppler procedures as well as various shades of graph while performing sonograms. Hearing must be adequate to perceive and interpret equipment signals, monitor alarms, and calls for help.
Stamina: Ability to push/pull objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds. Ability to stand during examinations and long procedures. Lift and transfer patients from wheelchair or stretcher to and from examination table. Assist patients into proper position for examination.
Emotional Stability: Ability to adapt and function under stress. Deal with the unexpected and adapt to change. Perform multiple tasks and responsibilities concurrently. Possess a strong work ethic, compassion, and integrity.
Please note: Student is subject to dismissal if after admission to the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Program it is discovered that a student cannot meet the technical standards.
Readmission Requirements
Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for readmission according to university policy. No preferential consideration is given to prior students for readmission. Students will be readmitted one time only if the cumulative GPA and programmatic requirements are met in addition to the program not exceeding maximum class capacity.
Physical Requirements
Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography students must exhibit good physical health and endurance. Due to the nature of the coursework and clinical content, sufficient physical strength is required for lifting and moving patients and handling equipment in a clinical setting. Ability to stand or sit for up to eight hours per day and lift fifty pounds. This may include lifting, pulling, bending, and squatting. Additional requirements include but are not limited to clinical reasoning, attention to detail, efficiency, excellent hand/eye coordination, clearly distinguish color, ability to hear differences in sound and compassion. Direct patient contact may include invasive procedures and bodily fluids.
Persons with disabilities are eligible for admission if they can carry out classroom, laboratory and clinical assignments, patient intake, assessment and techniques, or the equivalent; pass written, oral and practical examinations and meet all the requirements of the school and program. Parker University will make reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Applicants and students are welcome to discuss any disabilities that they believe will hinder completion of the curriculum. In considering a prospective or actual applicant who discloses a disability, Parker University may require an interview to determine if the individual meets the physical qualifications to complete the program. The Office of Student Services can provide more information regarding accommodations that Parker University might be able to provide.
Tuition and fees
All charges, including tuition and fees, are due and payable on or before the date of the term's first class. Payment plans must be signed by the second Friday after the term start date for students enrolling in the full term of first attendance date for students enrolling after the start of the term.
For detailed information about tuition fees, and the total cost of attendance, visit: www.parker.edu/tuition
Additional expenses
In addition to the above expenses, DCS students should expect to have the following expenses:
Immunizations
Background and drug screening
SDMS annual membership
Trajecsys (clinical tracking system)
Textbooks: see textbook list for more details
School supplies
Computer with internet access (for accessing Parker LMS, online course materials, and assignments)
Costs of attending clinical experiences including meals, travel, parking, scrubs, room and board (if necessary), and any other costs incurred with clinical education courses.
Uniform:
Clinical: plain-colored (program specific - black) scrubs with the Parker University logo
On-Campus: blue, black, or grey scrubs
Plain, solid-colored, close-toed shoes
Lab coat (optional)
Students must provide proof of the following prior to attending clinical experiences:
CPR/BLS certification (class offered at Parker University or show proof of completion)
Please note: personal health insurance will be required for all students two months prior to clinical education and required the entire 7 months of clinical education
Student personal health insurance
Two months prior to clinical education, students are required to provide proof of current personal health insurance to the clinical coordinator and Castle Branch. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and purchase health insurance. It is their responsibility to provide an updated copy of their insurance to the clinical coordinator and Castle Branch if insurance changes are made when enrolled in the program.
Professional liability insurance
All Health Science students are required to carry professional liability insurance. This type of insurance is automatically purchased through Parker University’s registration fees. Liability coverage for the students’ clinical education does not apply outside scheduled clinical affiliation time.
Environmental requirements
Interaction with patients in health care carries inherent risks to both the patient and the health care provider. Students participating in the DCS program may be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids, and communicable diseases. All students are expected to provide appropriate care to all assigned patients regardless of their medical diagnosis. Some of the patients may have tuberculosis, MRSA, Hepatitis A, B, or C, C. Diff, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 or other transmittable diseases. Students may also care for patients who are unidentified carriers of infectious diseases. As in many health professions and programs, students may occasionally be exposed to bodily injuries and environmental hazards.
Standards of Appearance
Proper professional dress and appearance are required. The DCS program has a firm dress code guideline for all students (this includes fieldtrips and observation visits, clinical settings and campus). All attire must always be well-maintained and clean. General appearance encompassing conventional hairstyle and naturally occurring hair colors and conservative use of jewelry, make-up and accessories.
Daily baths, deodorant
Students having hair longer than collar length shall tie it back with no decorative adornment
Beards and facial hair shall be neatly trimmed
Perfumes, colognes, and aftershave are not allowed
Closed toe, light-in-color, clean shoes (no cloth or shoes with air holes on the top) with socks must be worn
Approved standardized scrubs with a plain white lab coat (optional)
Jewelry is limited to one ring on each hand (engagement rings, wedding rings, graduation rings) and wristwatch. One small post earring on each ear permitted. No other jewelry or body piercing allowed
Natural appearing make-up
Fingernails – clean, neat, trimmed short; nail polish may be limited to clear or neutral shades
No visible tattoos
Plain colored (program specific) scrubs with the Parker University logo fitting appropriately
Neckline must not be too low
Pants must not be too large or small and worn at the natural waist.
DCS Attendance Policy
Attendance Expectations
Students are required to attend all scheduled clinical rotations, classes, and laboratory sessions at the assigned dates and times. Attendance is mandatory and directly impacts program progression.
Students must be present at the clinical site for the full scheduled shift. There is no make‑up time for missed clinical hours, and students are not permitted to stay late to compensate for absences or tardiness.
Mandatory Procedure for Calling Off
Failure to follow the procedures below will result in the student being considered a No Call/No Show and may lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.
Clinical Site Call‑Off Procedure
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled clinical shift, the following steps must be completed at least one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start time:
Call the assigned clinical site to report the absence.
Call the clinical coordinator at Parker University to report the absence, providing:
Student name
Scheduled shift time
Reason for absence
If there is no answer, a detailed voicemail must be left.
Send an electronic message (email) to both the program director and clinical coordinator reporting:
Student name
Scheduled shift time
Reason for absence
Failure to complete all steps will result in a written infraction and may be grounds for termination from the DCS program.
Classroom/Lab Call‑Off Procedure
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled class or lab session:
The student must email the Program Director and the course instructor notifying them of the absence.
A phone call or text message may be used as supplemental communication; however, email documentation is required for the student file.
No Call/No Show and Tardiness
Students who fail to follow the required call‑off procedures will be classified as No Call/No Show.
After one (1) No Call/No Show occurrence or repeated tardiness, the student will be placed on probation.
After a second No Call/No Show occurrence or continued tardiness, the student will be subject to dismissal from the program.
Absences and Program Limits
Students are allowed a maximum of three (3) total absence days per program year, consecutive or intermittent, regardless of reason.
Missing more than two (2) clinical days per rotation or three (3) didactic/lab days will result in dismissal from the program.
There are no excused absences.
A Leave of Absence (LOA) may be requested when appropriate. Refer to the LOA Policy for details.
Tardiness Policy
Two (2) instances of fifteen (15) minutes of tardiness are equivalent to one (1) full day of absence.
Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated.
Students may not remain at the clinical site beyond scheduled hours to make up lost time.
Attendance Review and Notifications
Students should be aware of the following attendance review process:
After three (3) absences (consecutive or intermittent), the student will be notified in writing of their attendance status.
After five (5) absences, the student’s record will be formally reviewed by program leadership and faculty, and written notification will be issued.
After seven (7) absences, the student will be notified in writing of their attendance status.
Upon reaching three (3) absences per program year, the student will be dismissed from the program regardless of circumstance.
Responsibility for Missed Content
Students are responsible for all coursework, clinical competencies, and laboratory material missed during any absence, regardless of the duration.
It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to arrange review of any missed laboratory material or assignments.
DCS Clinical Attendance Policy
Students are required to be in clinical at their scheduled times. If the student is unable to be present for the scheduled clinical day/time, the student must follow the “Mandatory Procedure for Calling-Off from Clinical Site” as stated below:
Mandatory Procedure for Calling-Off from Clinical Site
Call clinical site at least one (1) hour prior to scheduled clinical shift.
Send electronic message (email) to clinical coordinator and program director at least 1 hour prior to scheduled clinical shift. Report absence by giving your name, time, and reason for reporting off.
The student submits the excused absence request form with documentation (i.e., doctor's note) via the link below. Student Affairs will review and verify the authenticity and validity of the documentation.
Student will be written up and may be subject to termination from DCS program if this procedure is not followed.
Students will be considered a no call/no show if these guidelines are not followed. After one (1) occurrence of a no call/no show, or frequent tardiness, the student will be given a written warning and placed on probation. After the second occurrence of no call/no show or continued tardiness, the student will be subject to dismissal from the program.
The DCS policy states two (2) fifteen minutes of tardiness (missing fifteen minutes of scheduled shift) are equivalent to one (1) day of absence. Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. Frequent tardiness will result in a formal write-up.
The student must attempt to make-up any missed clinical hours during that same week. If the time is not able to be made up during that week, the student may be subject to making up their required clinical hours during a non-scheduled day or holiday break. If time is not made up in a timely manner the student may have to extend their last clinical rotation, which the student would be financially responsible for.
Missing more than two (2) clinical days per rotation will lead to dismissal from the program.
Clinical affiliates can approve modality specific hours at their own discretion.
Inclement Weather
If the school closes, it is at the discretion of the program director to move to online activities with the clinical coordinator. These hours will count towards clinical hours during this time. Any additional hours missed during inclement weather must be made up in accordance with the attendance policy.
The Brightspace Connect notification system will send alerts via e-mail, voice mail, call, and/or text message with details regarding class cancellation. The Parker University main phone line will also have a pre-recorded message to inform students with school opening, class cancellations, and delays. If the University closes for inclement weather, it will be broadcasted on the major four television stations, ABC - Channel 8 (WFAA), Fox - Channel 4 (KDFW), NBC - Channel 5 (KXAS) and CBS - Channel 11 (KTXA) by 5:00 AM. Students may also visit www.parker.edu or social media (Facebook) where additional information will be posted.