Ultrasound Graduate Diploma Program
A Career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography / Ultrasound
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound?
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) is an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to display real time images of the soft tissue structures in the human body such as breast, tyroid, abdominal and pelvic organs, vessels, muscles, and other soft tissue structures in the human body. Sonographers use this technology to assess organs, muscles, vessels and anatomical systems in order to diff erentiate between normal and pathologic findings and to monitor pregnancies for fetal abnormalities, fetal growth and well-being. Sonography is used for medical diagnosis, for follow up of disease processes and for pregnancies.
What is the role of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a health care professional who performs ultrasound examinations, acquires sonographic images of the normal human anatomy as well as any abnormal or pathologic conditions and completes a technical report of their findings. The images and technical report are interpreted by the Radiologist in order to provide the patient diagnosis.
Sonographers are employed in the diagnostic imaging department of hospitals or private clinics. They can also be employed as application specialists, sales representatives, research assistants or educators. In all of these settings the sonographer has to display competency in their academic knowledge, their scanning skills as well as have exemplary communication (verbal, non-verbal, active listening and written) and collaboration skills in order to provide safe and quality patient care.
As a Sonographer in the clinical setting you need to be able to multi task, be efficient, physically fit, and have excellent hand eye coordination and spatial reasoning in order to scan and differentiate normal from abnormal findings. You need to be able to problem solve by relating the patients history, lab data and sonographic findings in order to describe the pathology/abnormality that you have detected and write the technical report. Sonographers have to be able to deal with stress full situations when abnormalities are detected or when in contact with an unwell patient.
Why become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Sonography is a rapidly growing technology that has become an integral part of the diagnostic process in all health care institutions 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 competence and responsibility. Sonographers enjoy excellent employment opportunities in Canada and around the world. As a sonographer you will have a challenging and fulfilling career that is well compensated and respected in the field of medicine.
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Program Length
20 Months: Five semesters: September 2013 - April 2015
3 Semesters: Didactic and simulated skills labs on campus: September 2013 - July 2014
2 Semesters: Clinical internship & online course: September 2014 - April 2015
What will I learn?
Michener's Ultrasound Graduate Diploma Program offers a well-balanced mix of academic, simulated and clinical components, providing students with the required knowledge and skills necessary to write the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP) Core Sonographic Skills Examination that is required for Canadian certification as a Generalist Sonographer.
The learning outcomes and 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).
- Acquisition of academic knowledge necessary for an entry level General Sonographer
(Abdomen, Gynecology and Obstetrics) - Development of pateient care skills in a simulated and clinical environment
- Development of scanning skills in simulated lab environment and clinical placement using the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP) Clinical Skills Assessment Tool
- Development of skills for effective communication and collaboration to enhance Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care
- Develop critical thinking skills essential for working in a health care environment
Ultrasound Is for You If you ...
- Want a challenging career that requires a very high level of knowledge, skills and responsiblity
- Are physically fit and have excellent hand eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills
- Can multi task, problem solve, critically analyze, be organized and efficient
- Have effective communication and collaboration skills and can handle stressful situations
- Can interact with patients in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner and believe in quality and safe patient centered care
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 you will be eligible to write the certification exams in General Physics, Abdomen, Superficial Structures, Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted by
- Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP)
- American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)
Accreditation
The Ultrasound Program at The Michener is accredited by The Canadian Medical Association.
Clinical Partners*
The Michener's clinical partners provide the student with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of health care environments, working with patients as well as other health care professionals and acquiring Sonography skills for entry to practice.
*Clinical sites and partners are subject to change.
Student Scholarships
The Michener has many scholarships for the student in the Ultrasound program.
General Scholarships and Bursaries
Why Choose Michener?
- Exemplary rate of graduate placements
- The Ultrasound Program was offered regularly since 1978
- We are a Canadian Medical Association Accredited Program
- The Ultrasound Program teaches to the National Competency Profile from the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS) and Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP)
- Upon successful completion you will be eligible to write both Canadian and American certification examinations
Admission, Tuition and Application Process
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 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
NOTES:
Michener's Continuing Education Course AP807 Gross Anatomy & Physiology satisfies both the Gross Anatomy and the Human Physiology prerequisites.
Michener's Continuing Education Course AP601 Anatomy & Physiology satisfies only the Human Physiology prerequisite.
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, 2013
Tuition Policy for Canadian and International Students
Canadian Student Tuition Policy
International Tuition Fees Policy
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, 2013
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.
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 opportunities are also possible in the areas of education (didactic and clinical), research, sales, application 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
Canadian:
Provincial Society: Ontario Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (OSDMS)
National Society: Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS)
Canadian National Certification Exam:Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP)
American:
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)
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