Further your career in cardiac sonography, exploring theory and clinical practice.

The two-year Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Ontario College Graduate Certificate provides you with the essential theoretical knowledge and technical skills required to produce, evaluate and diagnose sonographic images of the heart.

Ultrasound is an important, non-invasive diagnostic tool used to identify the anatomical and physiological state of internal organs. Working independently and in collaboration with healthcare team members, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers capture, analyze and identify a variety of complex ultrasound images. These images assist cardiologists in the diagnosis and management of different heart diseases in children and adults.

Through theory, simulation, lab practice and extensive clinical experiences, you learn to manipulate sound waves to create images of the human heart. You consider health and safety in your work and apply quality assurance for the safe and proper use of ultrasound in the clinical setting.

This program offers you the hands-on skills you need for success. You have two, 450-hour field placements where you enhance your technical, professional, interpersonal and patient management skills. These acquired skills help you to function as a member of a healthcare team.

As a graduate you are eligible to write the national certification exams. Algonquin College`s Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program received accreditation from Accreditation Canada EQUAL™ in September 2019.

Upon successful completion of the program, to become credentialed as a Cardiac Sonographer in Ontario a student must write the Sonography certification examination. Graduates must also register with the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO) to be eligible to work in Ontario. Graduates may also register with ARDMS (American Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography).

You may find employment as a/an:

• cardiac sonographer
• sonography educator
• medical technical salesperson
• application specialist
• medical researcher
• manager or supervisor in related fields

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Are self-directed in a team environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency with technology.
• Possess good hand-eye coordination and are detail-oriented.
• Hold strong analytical and perceptual skills.
• Desire to work in a variety of challenging employment settings.
• Are able to work effectively under stressful situations.
• Are detail-oriented and conscientious.
• Possess the ability to think critically and to self-reflect.

Careers

Graduates may find employment as cardiac sonographers, sonography educators, medical technical salespeople, application specialists and medical researchers, as well as managers or supervisors in related fields. Upon successful completion of the program, to become credentialed, a student must write the Sonography Canada certification examination. Graduates must also register with the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO) to be eligible to work in Ontario.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Act in accordance with applicable regulations and professional guidelines to meet the standards of practice.
2. Perform examination procedures, obtain images, correlate results, and analyze data using critical thinking and problem solving to meet diagnostic expectations of the health care team.
3. Provide care that recognizes and respects the dignity, culture and individuality of patients and clients to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
4. Perform as an effective practitioner within cardiac sonography to be a valuable member of the multi-disciplinary health care team, assuming a leadership role as required.
5. Communicate effectively and professionally as a member of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team using relevant terminology, behaviour and language appropriate to the recipient to ensure understanding and informed care.
6. Operate ultrasound equipment safely and effectively to ensure patient/workplace safety.
7. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

DIAGNOSTIC CARDIAC SONOGRAPHY
Program Code 1693X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

The Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program is Accredited by Accreditation Canada EQUAL™.

If at any time during the program there is a break in the student`s progress of one term or more, the student is required to enroll and pass a mandatory Continuing Education course to update practicum skills. The student is responsible for the cost of the required Continuing Education course and must advise the Program Coordinator of their intensions to return to the program six weeks in advance of the start of the semester in which they would like to return. Returning status will be granted based on the availability of placement sites.

During clinical practicum placement, if there are significant professional/safety infractions, students will be removed from clinical site and pending the results of the investigation may receive an F grade for the clinical placement course.

Successful completion of clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program. Clinical placement is completed, over two 12-week terms. Placement start times are from May-August and September-November.

Every effort is made to accommodate student preferences for placements; however, due to the restricted amount of placements in this highly specialized field, students may be required to complete their placements in other areas across Ottawa or Ontario, and may not have the option to select when their placements begin.

All related clinical expenses, such as travel, parking and accommodation for these experiences are the responsibility of the student.

Prospective students are required to participate in both patient and sonographer roles in the laboratory and clinical settings and in invasive procedures, specifically IV insertions. All laboratory and clinical components of this program involve working with individuals from diverse groups.

The laboratory section of the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography curriculum teaches prospective students how to scan with their right hand only, even though when entering clinical placement rotations, some sites may require left handed scanning. Algonquin College students will enter clinical placement proficient with their right hand.

The Canadian Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario has a number of requirements for registration that relate to past and present conduct of the applicant. Please follow the link for further details: https://www.cmrito.org/applicants/registration-requirements/.