1. What does a Sonographer do in a Hospital?
A: Sonographers use advanced medical ultrasound systems with high frequency sound waves to diagnose the soft tissues of the human body. Sonographers operate on a medical system that collects reflected echoes and forms an image that can be stored, transmitted, or post-process for interpretation and diagnosis by a medical specialist.

The benefits of using ultrasound are non-ionising radiation quality, non-invasive, real-time, versatile and relatively affordable. However, Sonographers need to be highly skilled to effectively use the ultrasound modality.

2. How can I become a qualified Sonographer?
A: One of the ways you can become a Sonographer is by enrolling in the postgraduate Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography (Asia) – DMU (Asia) at Vision College. The DMU (Asia) is awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM), from Australia and New Zealand where ASUM has been offering Sonography education since 1970.

3. Who can join the DMU (Asia)?
A: The entry requirements for the DMU (Asia) is a diploma or degree in nursing, radiography, biotechnology, biomedical science, medical science and other allied health science field.

4. How many Sonographers are there in Malaysia?
A: There are very few Sonographers in Malaysia that are qualified. Compared to Australia which has about 3,000 Sonographers, United Kingdom has 2,100 and the United States has 12,000, Malaysia needs to grow this profession to meet the demand of the medical industry.

5. How can I become a qualified Sonographer?
A: The most common job is to work as an allied health professional at a hospital. The Sonographer will perform an ultrasound examination integrating pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data. The Sonographer needs to exercise discretion and judgment and make other observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting medical specialist. Sonographers act to also provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and promote principles of good health.

6. What are the other career options for a Sonographer?
A: The Sonographer can also work as an academician to teach Sonography in the various schools in Malaysia. Sonographers also work as medical advisors in medical consultancy firms. Lastly, Sonographers are highly sought after as application specialists at renowned medical system companies.

7. How do I know if I am suitable to be a Sonographer?
A: All applicants are advised that you should have the four following criteria:

• You should be a caring person where you want to help people improve their way of life and to lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Enjoy meeting people from all walks of life. A daily lifestyle as a Sonographer can include from performing ultrasound examinations on babies and children to diagnosing an elderly man in his golden years. You are generally a person that can communicate well with people and at the same time, being comfortable and having fun interacting people from different backgrounds.
• A character that thrives on problem solving. Sonographers are constantly posed with medical challenges by patients that require Sonographers to be resourceful, analytical, insightful and provide the optimum diagnosis given the situation.
• You like an environment of continuous learning. The medical field requires Sonographers to have Continuous Medical Education (CME) to keep abreast on the latest medical advancement and technology to bring more benefits to our patients.

8. Is this programme approved by MQA (Malaysian Qualification Agency)?
A: A: Yes. Vision College (KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1309) and the postgraduate DMU (Asia) (KP/JPS(A1639)05/11) have approval from MQA.

9. Is the DMU (Asia) Internationally recognized?
A: Yes, the DMU (Asia) is internationally recognized. The DMU (Asia) is awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) which is an ultrasound society involved in international ultrasound education since 1970. Our graduates can work directly in many countries around the world. There are certain countries that have regulations which require our graduates to undergo a conversion process.

10. What are the learning approaches at Vision College?
A: Vision College focuses on outcome-based education. The learning approaches include one-to-one basis, problem-based learning, self-directed learning, practical classes, theory examination, practical examination and clinical training with patient contact.

11. What about clinical training at Vision College?
A: Vision College provides clinical exposure to real-life patients starting from the beginning of the programme. Students are taught how to communicate with patients and the protocol on performing an ultrasound examination. Students conduct their clinical attachment at various private medical institutions and government clinics.

12. Can I specialize in an area of medicine after getting the DMU (Asia)?
A: Yes, you can specialize in several areas of medicine including obstetrics, vascular or cardiac after obtaining the General DMU (Asia) that is offered at Vision College. These sub-specialization increases the marketability and recognition of a Sonographer in those respective areas.

13. Where can I find employment?
A: All Self sponsored students will be under Vision Career Placement Programme whereby the College will work towards providing the DMU (Asia) graduates with job opportunities in Malaysia.