Sonography Program (Florida and Minnesota) - Health Sciences Education - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

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Program description

month program

students in each class (14 in Rochester, 4 in Jacksonville)

100%

job placement

If you have a passion for helping people, an eye for detail and a love for anatomy, the Sonography Program offers one of the best sonographer training options in the area.

You can expect:

A unique curriculum where you’ll put what you learn in the classroom to practice right away in clinical experiences and scanning labs
Training opportunities in all three specialties of abdominal, OB/GYN and vascular sonography
To start working with patients after just five weeks, ensuring you’re completely comfortable with patients and fully prepared when you start your career

The program is offered in both Rochester, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, Florida. Lectures originate primarily from the Rochester campus and are made available to students in Florida using interactive video-enabled classrooms. All simulation labs and clinical rotations take place at your home campus.

We'll train you in hopes you’ll join us as a Mayo Clinic employee upon graduation, but we know you’ll be fully prepared for your first day on the job, wherever that may be.

Sonography Program mission, goals, and student learning outcomes

Mission statement

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Sonography Program is an educational program committed to excellence in abdominal sonography — extended, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular ultrasound technology. Through a variety of high-quality academic and clinical experiences, we strive to prepare competent, entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s): abdominal sonography — extended, obstetrics and gynecology sonography, and vascular sonography. We also aim to prepare graduates with a commitment to lifelong learning.

Goals and student learning outcomes

The program’s goal is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations it offers: abdominal sonography — extended, obstetrics and gynecology sonography and vascular sonography. By the end of the program, students will have:

Cognitive skills and professional knowledge to:

Know the principles underlying the profession of sonography, including anatomy, physiology, and pathology identified through sonographic imaging.
Identify and appropriately document the sonographic appearances of normal and abnormal anatomic structures, including anatomic variants and normal Doppler patterns.
Identify and appropriately document the sonographic appearances of normal maternal, embryonic, and fetal structures during the first, second, and third trimesters.
Identify and appropriately document the sonographic appearances, including color and spectral Doppler waveforms, of normal and abnormal vasculature.
Describe the sonographic appearances and Doppler findings associated with disease processes, pathology, and pathophysiology for organs, vasculature, and body systems accessible to diagnostic ultrasound.
Describe abnormalities related to vascular physiology, hemodynamics, and pathophysiology.
Solve equations related to the physical principles of sound.
Describe the appearance and identify the significance of ultrasound artifacts.
Communicate relevant clinical history, laboratory values, and correlative imaging as applicable to the sonographic diagnosis.
Perform self-directed learning exercises to continuously update knowledge of sonography and vascular technology.

Psychomotor and professional skills to:

Demonstrate the ability to perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, gravid and non-gravid pelvis, peripheral and cerebrovascular systems according to established protocols and guidelines.
Utilize real-time equipment with spectral Doppler and color Doppler capabilities, transabdominal, and endocavitary transducers.
Demonstrate proficiency in the performance of plethysmographic, continuous wave Doppler, pressure measurements, and vascular stress testing.
Apply these skills to compassionate, safe, and appropriate patient care.
Utilize quality improvement techniques to enhance the accuracy and appropriateness of sonography and vascular technology.

Affective behavior or professional attitudes, behaviors, and cultural competencies to:

Commit to practice according to the ethical principles and legal requirements of the profession of diagnostic medical sonography and the values of Mayo Clinic.
Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for diversity in all professional interactions.
Exhibit appropriate and professional skills of interpersonal communication with all patients and other members of the health team.
Participate in the role of a sonographer and/or vascular technologist as part of a clinical team providing comprehensive care for patients.
State the responsibilities of all healthcare workers to enhance the health and welfare of society.

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Sonography: Searching for a reason.

Explore what a sonographer does

Sonographers are trained to acquire and analyze sonographic images. During their day-to-day work, they help patients and perform ultrasound exams on various parts of the body to help the care team make an accurate diagnosis.

Portrait photo of Sonography Program Director, Becky Madery, M.Ed., R.V.T., R.D.M.S.

Prepare to 'make waves' as we create a 'sound' foundation on which to build your career and 'gel' with other sonographers. Our 21-month program prepares you in the specialties of abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular sonography. Our small student-to-faculty ratio offers the support you need to maximize your potential. In addition to primary clinical rotations in Jacksonville and Rochester, students also experience brief rotations through smaller sonography departments in the surrounding communities.”

Becky Johnson, M.Ed., R.V.T., R.D.M.S.
Sonography Program Director

I chose Mayo Clinic because I knew Mayo was where I wanted to eventually work. Mayo is known to be the No. 1 hospital, so I figured it has to be the best place to learn, and I was right. The amount of scanning and hands-on learning from our instructors and other sonographers is remarkable. I can’t imagine going any other route.

Brad Kruger, R.V.T., R.D.M.S.
Program graduate who now works as a sonographer at Mayo Clinic