According to the 2011 Sonography Program Advising Guide at Lansing Community College, part to the admissions process for the Diagnostic Medical Stenography Associate in Applied Science Degree involves a criminal background check and a drug test. In addition, applicants must show physical and emotional health sufficient to care for the general public. Physical requirements include the ability to push or pull objects greater than 100 lbs., motor dexterity, coordination, mobility, visual and hearing abilities. These requirements are in addition to academic prerequisites such as biology, physics, anatomy and math with a grade average of 2.5 or higher.
Besides completion of the pre-requisites, the student at Lansing Community College must complete 14 courses including medical terminology, sonographic physics and sonographic positioning. Another two courses involves sonography for OB/GYN as ultrasounds are routine during pregnancy. Clinical experience, which involves on-the-job training, comprises three courses. Satisfactory completion of all courses results in a degree.
According to Healthcare Careers, there is no certifications on the state level but the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Stenography (ARDMS) provides exams for general principles and instruments along with specialty tests. Passage of these exams with the resulting certification would be valuable in obtaining employment.