Prospective students for the DMS program are required to meet certain technical standards necessary for successful and competent performance in ultrasound. The technical standards listed below are determined by the activities commonly performed by sonographers in daily practice. The ability of each student to meet the technical standards is determined through physical examination and competency evaluation.

Each student's general state of health including hearing, eyesight, physical condition and mobility are checked prior to the beginning of clinical education through a physical examination conducted by a physician. Other technical standards such as ability to operate sonographic equipment, lift and move patients and equipment, fill syringes, communicate effectively are determined through competency evaluations conducted during clinical courses.

In order to complete program requirements and achieve full competence as a sonographer, the student must be able to:

• Read and understand requisitions, orders, charts, directions and other printed matter.
• Walk through the ultrasound department and hospital, use stairs and stand for long periods of time.
• Lift, move, and assist patients from beds, wheelchairs and stretchers to the ultrasound table and back.
• Give clear verbal commands to a patient and communicate effectively with patients and professional staff verbally and in writing.
• Reach, adjust and operate sonographic equipment.
• Hear sounds from the sonographic machine; hear spoken words including individuals wearing masks.
• Clearly see sonographic images, controls, labels and observe patients.
• Work in a sterile environment, prepare sterile fields, and fill sterile syringes.