The new accreditation prepares students to take registry exams immediately upon graduation. Before that benchmark graduates typically gained work experience before they were eligible for the exams. Now HACC ultrasound technology graduates can move right from graduation to hospital ultrasound departments and independent medical imaging centers.
Julia Imboden, the coordinator of ultrasound technology/diagnostic medical sonography, describes the accreditation as a "sign of excellence." According to Imboden, the accreditation could mean more job opportunities now that students are graduating from both an accredited college and an accredited ultrasound program.
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography administers the tests and awards credentials in different areas. Imboden says that HACC graduates who have taken the exams have a 100% pass rate.
In order for HACC to receive the certificate of accreditation, the ultrasound technology/diagnostic medical sonography curriculum went through a review then judged to be in compliance with nationally established standards. The accreditation stands until 2008, when the program is reviewed for re-accreditation.
The accreditation standards are established by CAAHEP and the American College of Cardiology, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Radiology, American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound.