General Concentration

(Abdominal and Obstetrics-Gynecology)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a radiologic and imaging sciences specialty with nine subspecialties. This emphases prepares students for clinical practice in abdominal and obstetrics-gynecology. Vascular sonography is an elective option that may be taken concurrently.

Sonographers practice a form of medical imaging that uses use complex computerized high frequency sound waves and Doppler signal equipment to visualize subtle differences between healthy and pathological areas of the body, evaluate vascular flow information, and document pathologic and other conditions. The sonographer must acquire excellent knowledge of sectional anatomy, clinical medicine, pathology, and the use of sonographic instrumentation. Sonographers work collaboratively with radiologists and other physicians to produce differential diagnoses.

Echocardiography Concentration

(Adult Echocardiography and Pediatric Echocardiography or Vascular Sonography)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a radiologic and imaging sciences specialty with nine subspecialties.  This emphases prepares students for clinical practice in adult echocardiography and either pediatric echocardiography or vascular sonography.

Echocardiographers practice a form of medical imaging that uses use complex computerized high frequency sound waves and Doppler signal equipment to visualize cardiovascular anatomy and function.  They are responsible for delineating subtle differences between healthy and pathological cardiac and vascular structure and function, evaluate vascular flow information, and document pathologic and other conditions.  The echocardiographer must acquire excellent knowledge of cardiac and vascular anatomy, clinical medicine, pathology, and the use of sonographic instrumentation.  Echocardiographers work collaboratively with cardiologists to produce differential diagnoses.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy is a radiologic and imaging sciences specialty that is an essential part of the multi-disciplinary field of radiation oncology. Radiation Therapists practice in a cooperative effort between medical and radiation oncology physicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists and oncology nurses and dietitians.

Radiation therapists are integral members of the patient treatment team. Their duties include patient positioning during simulated and actual radiation treatments, the charting and verification of doses, the fabrication of special radiation shields, filters and immobilization devices, and the monitoring of patients' general medical condition based on a knowledge of basic nursing care and the nature of radiation-induced side effects. Duties also include the handling of radioactive materials used in therapeutic treatment. Radiation Therapists are responsible for accurately recording, interpreting and administering the treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists. During treatment, therapists help physicians use fluoroscopy, X-ray films or CT scans to localize and outline anatomical areas requiring treatment. Close interpersonal relationships that often develop between patients and their therapists demand that the therapist also be a sympathetic caregiver and patient advocate. These responsibilities require highly specialized clinical skills as well as complex critical thinking in order to effectively contribute to the team approach to patient treatment.

Students receive didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences in both existing and emerging radiation therapy practices and procedures, including treatment planning, simulation, quality assurance, brachytherapy, external beam therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative radiation therapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, and total body irradiation.

Students who receive a B.S. degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences with an emphasis in Radiation Therapy from GVSU are eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination in radiation therapy. The ARRT has recognized the program and established eligibility for students who complete the full degree program.

Individuals who have been involved in a criminal proceeding or charged with or convicted of a crime may not be eligible for national certification by the ARRT. Because this certification is available to graduates of the radiation therapy program as part of preparation for clinical practice, students to whom this may apply are strongly advised to work with the ARRT for pre-application review of eligibility for certification from their website at www.arrt.org (Ethics, Pre-Application Process). The ARRT may be contacted by phone at 651-687-0048 for more information.

The Radiation Therapy program is in the process of acquiring accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program adheres to JRCERT standards. Upon accreditation, students have the right to notify the JRCERT if they believe the university is not adhering to these standards. The JRCERT is at 20 N. Wacker Dr. Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, phone 312-704-5300.