MedQuest College achieved another major milestone in their continuing mission to enhance healthcare education with their recent accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for their Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
“MedQuest College is proud to earn CAAHEP accreditation for our Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs! This opportunity reinforces the caliber of our educational programs and creates opportunities for our graduates that previously weren’t there,” said Robin Boughey, Executive Director at MedQuest.
What CAAHEP Accreditation Means for Program Participants
The accreditation is issued by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions education.
“CAAHEP provides value to stakeholders by setting standards for quality assurance in health professions education. By attaining CAAHEP accreditation for the Sonography Programs at MedQuest, we have elevated our programs in the eyes of our clinical affiliates, future employers, and the community. Students will now be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) board exam upon completion of the program, eliminating the need to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) board exam first to become eligible for the ARDMS exam. Many of our affiliates and potential employers prefer, and in some cases require, ARDMS certification, and now our students have a direct pathway to achieving that. Our students and affiliates can feel confident that our program is meeting and exceeding the industry standards and preparing well-trained sonographers to fill the Sonography employment needs in Kentucky and beyond,” said Jean Roberts, RDCS, BHS, Program Director for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs at MedQuest College.
Ultimately, the rigorous standards required to achieve CAAHEP accreditation provides reassurance to students, employers, and patients that the education and training received in the MedQuest program is of the highest quality. In addition, CAAHEP goes through its own rigorous process through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to ensure they meet the requirements to continue as a programmatic accrediting body.
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Diagnostic Medical Sonography, also known as ultrasound, is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body’s internal organs, tissues, and blood vessels. This imaging modality is commonly used to detect abnormalities or diseases in various parts of the body, including the heart, abdomen, pelvis, and muscles. During the procedure, a sonographer, who is a healthcare professional trained to perform ultrasounds, applies a special gel to the skin and then moves a handheld transducer over the area of interest. The sound waves emitted by the transducer bounce back and create an image that can be viewed in real-time on a monitor. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a safe and painless procedure that does not involve radiation and is commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions.
The Importance of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in Healthcare
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a critically important tool in healthcare due to its non-invasive and radiation-free ability to help doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions and diseases. It’s also widely used in other areas of medicine, including cardiology, vascular medicine, and musculoskeletal imaging, as well as in obstetrics and gynecology to monitor fetal development, detect abnormalities, and diagnose medical conditions during pregnancy.
The demand for trained sonographers and the increasing number of patients benefiting from this imaging technology is on the rise, illustrating how essential diagnostic medical sonography has become in healthcare. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for sonographers is predicted to grow at a faster than average rate for all occupations, with a projected increase in new jobs of 10% by 2031. The job outlook is strong, as is the annual pay for these healthcare professionals, with an annual median wage of $77,740.
Overview of MedQuest’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
MedQuest’s Associate Degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a comprehensive educational experience designed to provide students with the hands-on skills and training they need to pursue employment in the echocardiography or vascular modality of diagnostic medical sonography. The program also includes an externship that allows students to gain valuable, real-world experience in the field. And now, with the recent CAAHEP accreditation, graduates will be eligible to take the ARDMS exam and upon successful completion, become registered diagnostic medical sonographers. If you’d like to learn more about joining the healthcare professionals helping doctors diagnose patients from the inside out, contact us now and schedule a campus tour at MedQuest College.