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General Questions
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| Q. |
What is SDMS? |
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| A. |
The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) is a professional organization for sonography professionals and was founded in 1970 to promote, advance, and educate its members and the medical community in the science of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The Society achieves its purpose by:
- seeking the cooperation of similar organizations
- initiating and overseeing continuing education programs
- stimulating and encouraging research; encouraging presentation and publication of scientific papers
- collecting and disseminating information pertinent to the membership
- publishing a scientific journal and a newsletter
- reviewing and establishing policies regarding the professional status, legislative activity, and welfare of its members
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| Q. |
Who is a typical member of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography? |
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| A. |
A typical member of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is anyone participating in or supporting the practice of diagnostic medical sonography.
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SDMS members include:
- Clinical sonographers
- Sonography educators
- Research sonographers
- Radiologic technologists
- Sonography students
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Administrators
- Ultrasound-related corporations and businesses
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SDMS members' specialties include:
- Abdominal Sonography [72%]
- Adult Cardiac Sonography [23%]
- Breast Sonography [40%]
- Fetal Cardiac Sonography [3%]
- Musculoskeletal [5%]
- Neurosonology [12%]
- OB/Gyn Sonography [74%]
- Pediatric Cardiac Sonography [5%]
- Physician Vascular Interpretation [<1%]
- Vascular Sonography [56%]
- Veterinary Sonography [<1%]
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SDMS members practice in:
- Hospitals
- In-Patient clinics
- Out-Patient clinics
- Mobile facilities
- Educational institutions
- Independent diagnostic testing facilities
- Research laboratories
- Physicians' offices
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SDMS members live in more than 40 countries on six continents including:
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
- North America
- South America
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| Q. |
Who can join SDMS? |
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| A. | Anyone participating in or supporting the practice of diagnostic medical sonography. [Please click on the membership category titles below for information specific to that category.]
The SDMS Bylaws outline the rules governing the operation of the Society. This document includes information about membership categories, as well as the governance structure and methods for the selection of the Society's Board of Directors, creation of committees, and the conduct of meetings. We suggest that you review this important information as it serves as the official rules of SDMS. The Bylaws can be found on our website at http://www.sdms.org/about/bylaws.asp.
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| Q. |
How much does SDMS membership cost? |
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| A. | Annual membership dues are established each year by the SDMS Board of Directors. The current dues structure is represented below:
| Membership Category | United States & International |
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| Student | $45 USD |
| Active, Associate, or Supporting | $160 USD |
| Advanced Practice Sonographer | $197 USD |
| Corporate/Business/Institutional | $495 USD |
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| Q. |
What if my employer wants to pay for my membership and my co-workers? |
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| A. | If your employer would like to provide SDMS membership benefits to employees, volume discounts are available on membership. Please see http://www.sdms.org/membership/volume.asp for more information.
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| Q. |
What are the benefits I receive as a SDMS member? |
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| A. | SDMS has a wide array of benefits available for members. Each year these benefits are reviewed to determine whether they represent distinctive opportunities that can be presented exclusively to our members. We also examine member feedback through the Member Satisfaction Survey for suggestions for new benefits. A complete list of member benefits can be found on our website at http://www.sdms.org/membership/matrix.asp.
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| Q. |
How long will my membership be in effect? |
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| A. | You may apply at any time and receive a full year of membership. Once your membership application has been processed, your membership will be in effect for one year from the application process date.
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| Q. |
How long will it take for my application to be processed? |
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| A. | Membership applications are processed in the order they are received, whether through the mail, online, or via fax. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing. You will be sent an email confirmation when your application has been processed. Typically, you will receive your member card within two (2) to three (3) weeks of application receipt in our office.
Note: If you require expedited membership, please go online to join at http://www.sdms.org/membership/join.asp. Once you have completed the online application and submitted your dues payment, you will be emailed a member number within minutes and can access the SDMS Members Only website.
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| Q. |
How can I check on the status of my membership application? |
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| A. | You can call the Membership Department at 800-229-9506 x111 , but please allow two (2) to three (3) weeks to receive your membership card.
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| Q. |
How many SDMS CME credits are available to me once I join? |
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| A. | The SDMS website currently has over 150 Free CME credits available. The majority of these CMEs originate from the JDMS and SDMS Webinar Series. Other CME activities are added as they are developed. All CME opportunities are listed at http://www.sdms.org/cmeopportunity. |
| Q. |
How many CME credits do I need to maintain my ARDMS registry?
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| A. |
The ARDMS requires that you complete thirty (30) CME credits every three (3) year fixed period. See complete information on the ARDMS website at http://www.ardms.org. SDMS suggests you complete a minimum of ten (10) CME credits per year to ensure compliance with ARDMS requirements.
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| Q. |
How many CME credits do I need to maintain my CCI registry?
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CCI requires that you complete thirty-six (36) CME (CEU) credits each triennial cycle. At least thirty (30) of these thirty-six (36) credits must be related to cardiovascular technology. See complete information on the CCI website at www.cci-online.org. SDMS suggests you complete a minimum of twelve (12) CME credits per year to ensure compliance with CCI requirements.
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| Q. |
Can SDMS help me track my CME credits?
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SDMS tracks all SDMS CME credits you complete through the JDMS, SDMS Webinar Series, SDMS website, SDMS products,
the SDMS Annual Conference and SDMS CME providers through the SDMS CME Tracker. Completed credits are transferred to the ARDMS daily, Monday through Friday.
You will need to provide the ARDMS with certificates from non-SDMS CME Activities you have completed. NOTE: Currently, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) & The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) do not participate in the SDMS CME Tracker program.
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| Q. |
Can I join SDMS and register for the Annual Conference at the same time? |
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| A. | Annual Conference registration normally occurs from May to September (see http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ for deadlines). SDMS members receive SIGNIFICANT discounts on Annual Conference registration. If you are not a SDMS member, you may be eligible to join AND register online at the same time to receive the discount. Applicants for Student and Advanced Practice Sonographer membership are not eligible to join and register online at the same time because additional documentation and processing is required. Mail or fax your completed application and registration to complete the process.
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| Q. |
What is the best way to contact SDMS? |
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There are four easy ways to contact SDMS:
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| Q. |
Who should I contact if I have a specific question for SDMS? |
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| A. | SDMS prides itself on having the friendliest, most efficient staff in the industry. If you have a general question, please contact us at 800-229-9506. If your question is more specific in nature, please refer to the list of staff and their areas of responsibility at http://www.sdms.org/about/staff.asp.
Note: The SDMS Board of Directors has established a policy restricting information, service, and support to members only.
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Advanced Practice Sonographer (APS®) Membership
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| Q. |
What is APS membership? |
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| A. | APS stands for Advanced Practice Sonographer, and it is a sub-classification of the SDMS Active membership category. The APS is intended to serve as a model for recognition of clinical excellence and appropriate standards of education, training, and certification in a specialty by demonstrating advanced clinical experience and education.
If you have more questions about the SDMS APS membership category, more detailed information is available in the APS membership FAQ section at http://www.sdms.org/membership/apsfaq.asp.
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| Q. |
What is the cost of a SDMS APS membership? |
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| A. |
| Membership Category | United States & International |
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| APS® | $197 USD |
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| Q. |
What are the benefits of becoming an APS member? |
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| A. | In addition to the benefits available to SDMS Active members, APS membership may also provide:
- Professional and personal recognition of your clinical excellence,
- Professional recognition of your educational, training, scholarship and certification accomplishments, and
- Professional recognition of your career accomplishments with your ultrasound peers.
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| Q. |
Why are APS dues higher than the other individual SDMS membership categories? |
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| A. | The membership fee schedule is reviewed annually by the SDMS Board of Directors and the APS dues have been set to reflect the additional processing and verification time needed to ensure the applicant meets the APS standards.
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| Q. |
What steps will I have to take to renew my APS membership? |
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| A. | Please see the "Annual Renewal Process" section of the APS application.
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| Q. |
What happens if I cannot meet the APS renewal requirements? |
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| A. | Your membership category will be changed to Active (ACT). Please contact SDMS for more information.
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Corporate/Business/Institution (CBI) Membership
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| Q. |
What is the CBI membership? |
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| A. | SDMS CBI membership is available to commercial firms or businesses involved in the manufacture and sale of ultrasound equipment and/or accessories, pharmaceuticals, or formal publications related to sonography or an institution involved in education and training related to sonography. SDMS CBI membership links you to the largest sonography organization currently representing more than 27,000 sonographers and all sonography specialty areas in the world. Your membership gives you access to information, professional education, government affairs advocacy, and access to your target audience in the sonography community.
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| Q. |
What are some benefits of CBI membership? |
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| A. | CBI membership provides benefits geared directly for businesses and institutions including:
- Priority notification of SDMS Annual Conference Exhibition opportunities,
- Discount on Continuing Medical Education Credit Application processing fees,
- Additional 30% discount on member pricing for all SDMS Mailing List purchases,
- A $100 discount on each 10’ x 10’ SDMS Annual Conference Exhibit Booth, and
- FREE logo and link to company’s website on SDMS website (CBI member page).
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| Q. |
Is everyone within a business/organization a member of SDMS with a CBI membership? |
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| A. | Often a business or organization will chose to become a member of the SDMS because there are membership benefits that are helpful to their business objectives. Many join because they are directly involved in the diagnostic medical sonography community through sales of equipment or accessories, provision of sonography educational materials, or distribution of other sonography-related products and services. Organizations in this membership category designate a "contact person" who will receive all SDMS member information, such as the JDMS, SDMS News Wave, and SDMS Sound News. This person will also be provided with a SDMS member number so that the Members Only area of the SDMS website can be accessed and member discounts may be utilized. Note: Only this ONE person will be able to complete the many CME test activities available on the SDMS website.
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Student Membership
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| Q. |
What is the cost of a SDMS Student membership? |
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| Membership Category | United States & International |
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| Student® | $45 USD |
Student dues are only valid while the student is enrolled in a diagnostic medical sonography or cardiovascular technology program.
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| Q. |
Who is eligible for Student membership? |
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| A. | The SDMS Bylaws define a student as "an individual who is currently enrolled in a diagnostic medical sonography program". This includes any student currently enrolled in a cardiovascular sonography program as well. Membership in this category is contingent on written verification from the student's program director of current enrollment in the program and projected graduation date.
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| Q. |
What SDMS benefits are particularly helpful to students? |
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| A. | Based on feedback we have received from our student members, the top three benefits are:
- Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS) - Students receive a subscription to the JDMS, and it is often used in the classroom. The JDMS gives students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with their new career through "real life" experiences of their colleagues. The JDMS provides useful clinical information and case histories that help the students to better understand the profession.
- Salary and Benefit Information - SDMS provides results from a member survey regarding current salaries and benefits in the SDMS Members Only area. Reports generated from the survey are personalized and provided online 24/7 as you prepare for your career or annual salary evaluation.
- Networking Opportunities - With over 27,000 members (including over 2,200 students), the SDMS Discussion Forums and the SDMS Annual Conference provide an invaluable networking tool. Get information from sonographers and other students about professional issues "online" or "live".
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| Q. |
Does SDMS have a list of resources for students?
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| A. | Yes, there is a helpful list of information and resources available on the SDMS website at http://www.sdms.org/career/default.asp.
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What is required to join as a Student member? |
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| A. | To join SDMS as a student member, complete a student membership application and send it, along with the Program Director Affirmation, to SDMS Headquarters. (The Program Director Affirmation is provided as page two (2) of the student membership application on the SDMS website at http://www.sdms.org/membership/student.asp.)
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| Q. |
How can my student status be verified? |
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| A. | Student verification may be supplied by your program director or clinical coordinator. The Program Director Affirmation section on page two (2) of the student application must be completed and submitted with the application.
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| Q. |
What if my program director informed me that a student class list was sent to SDMS? |
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| A. | You may contact SDMS to verify this information. If SDMS does have your class verification on file, you do not need to send student verification with your application. Please note on your application that your class list is on file.
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| Q. |
What happens when I graduate? |
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| A. | Student members will be assessed an interim rate of $80 for their membership year immediately following their graduation. The following year, Associate or Active dues amounts will be assessed.
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Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS)
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| Q. |
Can I access the current issue of JDMS online? |
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| A. | Yes, in fact, members have online access to back issues through 1985. Through the HighWire system you will also be able to access thousands of other online journals and Medline. More information is available at http://www.sdms.org/jdms/default.asp
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| Q. |
How do I earn JDMS CME credit? |
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| A. | Each issue of the JDMS will contain at least one CME activity; which, if successfully completed, will award you with continuing medical education credits. These articles and post-tests are posted on the SDMS website for members. Completion of the online post-tests is free for members only and unavailable for non-members. Note: You will be given only one opportunity to pass these tests with a minimum score of 70%.
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| Q. |
How many credits can I earn each year? |
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| A. | SDMS members currently have access to over 150 CME credits through the JDMS, SDMS Webinar Series and other avenues online. The JDMS will offer you at least six (6) NEW CME credit opportunities each year. Many issues of the JDMS may include multiple tests, so it is possible that this number may be exceeded. Additional CME credits are provided from past JDMS issues as well.
Important Reminder! All JDMS CME credits awarded to SDMS members will automatically be tracked through the SDMS CME Tracker. Please see http://www.sdms.org/membership/cmetracker.asp for more information about this valuable benefit for SDMS members.
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| Q. |
How do I submit an article for publication in the JDMS? |
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| A. | Articles may be submitted electronically either through the mail to the Editor, or through the online ScholarOne system. More information is available at http://www.sdms.org/jdms/authors.asp and http://www.sdms.org/jdms/submission.asp.
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| Q. |
Where can I get a copy of the Transfer of Copyright form needed for submitting a JDMS manuscript?
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Before an article can be published in the JDMS, Sage Publications must receive a signed Transfer of Copyright form from the author(s).
All authors of an article must sign a copy of this form. This form may be printed from the SDMS website at
http://www.sdms.org/jdms/submission.asp. Once the author has completed
this form, it should be faxed to SDMS Headquarters at 214-473-8563 or emailed to Stephanie Looney at slooney@sdms.org.
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| Q. |
Can I earn CME credits for writing an article for the JDMS? |
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| A. | Yes, if your article is accepted for publication in the JDMS, you may earn ten (10) CME credits. Complete guidelines are shown on the SDMS website at http://www.sdms.org/jdms/earncme.asp.
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Educational Resources
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| Q. |
Does SDMS have a list of resources for potential students? |
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| A. | Yes, there is a comprehensive list of resources for students located on the SDMS website at http://www.sdms.org/career/default.asp.
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| Q. |
What resources does SDMS offer for Educators? |
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| A. | There are numerous resources available to SDMS members to assist educators in their role. Some of the resources available on the website include:
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| Q. |
Does SDMS have information on work-related musculoskeletal-injury (WRMSD) prevention? |
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| A. | Yes, the SDMS website features a specific section dedicated to information about WRMSD at http://www.sdms.org/msi/default.asp. SDMS has a dedicated Discussion Forum for this topic as well.
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