Meeting & Agendas

Each attendee introduced themselves and their affiliation (place of employment) with the Program.

• CAAHEP accreditation status Reaccreditation site visit will be done between May and August of this year Process must be completed by November of 2013 • JRC-DMS 2012 Annual Report sent in December 2012; no word on acceptance at this time • 2012 Graduating Classes: 16 DMS Employed: DMS only, 1 out of 6; DMS/VT, 5 out of 10 (withdrew from VT Program) Credentialed: DMS 68% (to-date) Attrition: DMS - 28%; VT - 44% (see atttached table for more information) • Current class cohorts: 11 DMS; 8 ESC-VT (completing in May 2013) Admitted: DMS - 15; one 2011 returning student Admitted: VT - 15 Attrition: DMS - 33%; VT – 47% (see attached table for more information) • ARDMS SPI pass rate at 100% for current (2013) DMS students • Review of DMS Graduate and Employer Surveys received to-date 75% return to-date Employer Surveys: areas of concern seem to be interpreting patient data, performing current procedures & modalities, functioning as a member of the healthcare team, self-direction and responsibility for actions, and an overall lack of confidence in skills Graduate Surveys: 100% Generally to Strongly Agree that they were well-prepared for all skills (knowledge, psychomotor, and affective domains) required of a sonographer; need for more OB and pelvic experience and more scanning experience with difficult patients was noted Some responses from Employers and Graduates related to VT skills; 2011 VT graduates will be surveyed in June of 2013 • Sonography website updates; demonstration of website Required Advising Session Streamlined Application Process and Checklist Clinical Instructors Section • DMS Clinical Coordinator, Ms. Sue Cornelius, retiring at end of May A full-time faculty member to serve as DMS and VT Clinical Coordinator will be requested in 2014 budget If approved, hiring for DMS/VT CC will happen in the early fall semester Ms. Cornelius may be able to help on a hourly basis Some of the Challenges in 2013/2014 • Attrition in DMS and VT Programs Some factors out of the control of the Programs Action Plans still in progress Low applicant pools having some affect for DMS retention • Graduates completing only the DMS Program are having difficulty finding jobs • Scheduling of clinical placements continues to be challenging new hires in some clinical affiliates require training which impacts staff case loads in some sites limit student participation even with students providing significant assistance to a sonographer need for OB and DCS/VT clinical placements mergers and changes at clinical affiliates have affected student placements loss of a clinical site (temporary or perm ant) due to management changes 1-2 non-accredited proprietary institutions in Austin have “ultrasound training” programs Possible negative effect on ACC DMS and VT graduates seeking employment • Changes to Financial Aid impact on the ability of students to finance their education Students cannot obtain Financial Aid for ESC-VT (credit hours are below 17, the minimum for FA for a certificate) Other changes in FA may impact second career students who already have a degree.

Remarks: College has completed the regional accreditation process with SACS and is awaiting report. Initial reports are positive. The college continues to monitor the Texas Legislative session for items that may affect the college and students. Changes in Financial Aid: more focus on assisting students with scholarships; College may be seeking THECB scholarship for HS students.

Attrition rates in DMS and VT Programs Types of exams, especially OB, performed at sites; Performance of NT evaluation only at some OB sites Should graduates be surveyed earlier than one year after graduation? Suggestion to survey after 6 months of employment to obtain more realistic feedback from graduates.

SWOT Analysis conducted with all in attendance Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to the Cardiac Sonography Program were assessed. Results to follow.

Meeting adjourned.