Ultrasound Graduate Diploma Program
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound?
Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound/Sonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to acquire real time images of the abdomen, pelvis, heart, vessels, muscles, and other soft tissue structures in the human body. This technology can also visualize pregnancies from five weeks gestational age to term. The aim of this imaging modality is to help identify abnormalities and pathologies as well to date and monitor fetal well being in pregnancies.
What is the role of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a health care professional who performs diagnostic ultrasound examinations and provides sonographic images of the normal anatomy and pathologic conditions as well as a written technical impression of their findings. These are then interpreted by the Radiologist in order to provide the patient diagnosis.
Sonographers may be employed in the diagnostic imaging department of hospitals or private clinics. As a Sonographer you will play an integral role in patient care; diagnosis and collaborate with other health care professionals to provide optimum care.
Why become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Sonography is a rapidly growing technology that has become an integral part of the diagnostic process in most medical facilities in Canada. It is a dynamic and appealing career for a person who likes a challenge and is interested in a fascinating medical field which requires a high-level of responsibility. Sonographers enjoy excellent employment opportunities in Canada and around the world.
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How long does it take?
20 months-Five semesters beginning in September 2012 completion by April 2014
- 3 semesters; on campus for didactic and simulated skills labs from September 2012 to end of July 2013
- 2 Semesters; clinical site rotations & one online course from September 2013 to end of April 2014
What will I learn?
Michener's Ultrasound Graduate Diploma Program offers a well-balanced mix of theoretical and clinical components, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent Sonographer with exemplary patient care skills.
The objectives of the ultrasound curriculum are directly related to the National Competency Profiles (NCP) for the Generalist Profile (Version 4.2, January 2010). The Generalist competencies were approved by both the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS) and Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP). These objectives are:
- Didactic knowledge necessary for a Sonographer
- Scanning skills for Sonographers in the simulated skills labs
- Recognize the normal anatomy for abdominal, superficial structures, gynecology and venous doppler in the simulated scanning skills lab
- Develop patient care skills in a simulated and clinical environment
- Gain sonographic scanning experience at clinical placements with patient interactions
- Develop skills for effective communication and leadership skills to enhance Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care
- Develop critical thinking skills essential for working in a health care environment
Note: Sonographic scanning experience will be in a simulated environment on campus and with patients during the clinical practicum.
Graduation and Certification Examinations for Sonographers
Graduates of the Ultrasound Program receive The Michener Institute's “Graduate Diploma of Health Sciences in Ultrasound” upon successful completion of their didactic and clinical components.
Upon successful completion in this program they are eligible to write the Canadian Certification exams offered by Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals' (CARDUP) and or the American the certification examinations conducted by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in Physics, Abdomen and Superficial Structures as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Accreditation
The Canadian Medical Association Conjoint Committee on Accreditation has granted the Ultrasound Program at The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences another 6 year accreditation in 2010.
Admission Requirements for the Ultrasound Program
Registered health care professionals with a minimum 3 year degree or diploma in their field of study (some examples: Chiropodists, Nurse, Radiological Technologist, Radiation Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, etc).
CGPA will be calculated using entire undergraduate education, degree or diploma. Minimum CGPA of B- (70%) must be attained in order to be considered.
Or
Bachelor of Science degree, or Bachelor of Science or Arts in Kinesiology with:
- One half (0.5) university course in Gross Human Anatomy (2-3 years recency is preferred)
- One half (0.5) university course in Human Physiology (2-3 years recency is preferred)
- CGPA will be calculated using entire undergraduate education.
- A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of B- (70%), and a minimum grade of C- (60%) in each of the required courses
If you are submitting a Mammalian Physiology course as a prerequisite for Human Physiology, a complete course outline must be submitted to Michener's Admissions Office for review and approval
Students must meet Michener’s English language proficiency policy. Please view the English Language Proficiency Policy for further information. If you require an English language assessment, please review our English Language Assessment page for specific requirements.
Admission Requirements for Internationally Educated Applicant
If you are an internationally educated applicant living in Canada as a landed immigrant or permanent resident, please be aware that you must have a full Course by Course evaluation of your transcripts by the World Education Service(WES) or a Comprehensive evaluation from the International Credential Assessment Service(ICAS). A document-to-document evaluation or the general evaluation offered through Ontario Colleges (OCAS) is not sufficient. Documents must be evaluated to Canadian standards. Please note that WES does not do a course by course evaluation of High School documents. In order to have your International Education included in our initial admissions assessment we must receive all your documents by February 1, 2012
Tuition Policy for Canadian and International Students
The Canadian Student Tuition Policy web page.
The International Tuition Fees Policy web page.
Application Process for the Ultrasound Program
Step 1: To apply to the Michener Ultrasound Graduate Diploma Program, please complete the following:
Apply online at: ontariocolleges.ca Or by mail at: |
Please use the following application codes: College code: MICH |
Step 2:
Candidates must ALSO supply the following to The Michener Institute:
All applicants for whom English is a second language must provide proof of an English Language Assessment.
Step 3:
All applicants will be mailed a Supplementary Application with an invitation to review, and sign off on important program specific material. This signed Supplementary Application must then be returned to Michener's Admissions Office along with the applicable fee.
Step 4:
Top ranked applicants to the Ultrasound program will be invited to attend the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), the final phase of our admissions process.
What is MMI?
Application Process for International Applicants
All International students (on a study permit/work permit in Canada, or residing overseas) have a separate application process. Please apply directly to The Michener Institute. For more information please refer to the International Admissions page.
Application Deadline
Full-Time: February 1, 2012
Offer of Admission
Offer of admission will be made to students based on a combination of information received from application step 1 through 4. Any information received late, or not at all, will affect our ability to evaluate your academic and work related credentials and will severely impact on Michener being able to make an offer of admission. After the MMI is completed, offers of admission will be made.
For more information on the application process please visit Michener's Admissions page.
International students have a separate application process. Please see the International Students page for more information.
Michener’s Clinical Partners
Clinical placements give you hands-on practice, experience in different work environments, and the opportunity to network with potential employers. The following are some of our clinical partners.
- Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation - Saint John, NB
- CML Healthcare-Various Locations
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Juravinski Hospital - Hamilton
- Humber Valley X-Ray and Ultrasound-Toronto, ON
- Insight Diagnostic Imaging-Various Locations
- London X-Ray Associates, London, ON
- Medisys-Various Locations
- Mount Sinai Hospital-Toronto, ON
- Oak Ridges Medical Diagnostic Imaging (ORDMI)- Richmond Hill
- Port Perry Imaging- Port Perry, ON
- Rouge Valley Health System, Ajax Pickering Site, Ajax
- Royal Victoria Hospital- Barrie, ON
- St. Michael's Hospital- Toronto, ON
- Sudbury Regional Hospital-Sudbury, ON
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre-Toronto, ON
- The Credit Valley Hospital-Toronto, ON
- The Toronto Centre for Medical Imaging-Toronto, ON
- University Health Network-Toronto, ON
- Windsor Regional Hospital-Metropolitan Campus-Windsor, ON
Scholarships for Students in the Ultrasound program
Career and Further Education Opportunities for Ultrasound Graduates
Graduates from the Ultrasound program find employment in the sonography departments in hospitals and private clinics, where they work directly with patients. Career advancement possibilities can be in the area of education (didactic and clinical), research, sales, application specialists as well as supervisory and/or management position.
Graduates may apply to Michener's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Certificate program and to the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Certificate program.
Graduates may apply for advanced standing at Ryerson University or obtain their Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences (Medical Imaging) or Master's degree in Applied Sciences (Medical Ultrasound) through distance education from Charles Sturt University
Interesting Links for Sonographers
Provincial Society: Ontario Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
National Society: Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
National Certification Exam: Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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