FULL-TIME | WINNIPEG LOCATIONS DIACF-AD Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography - Echocardiography

Overview

Please note the design and delivery of this program are currently under review, and changes are expected for the August 2021 start date. Changes will be posted on this website.

• One-year 12-month Advanced Diploma
• August entry date 
  
• Final CASPer test sitting: March 2, 2021
• Annual application deadline: April 15, 2021
• Clinical work experience
• Notre Dame Campus
• Due to high demand, this funded program is open to Manitoba residents only. Applications received from Non-Manitoba residents for this program, will be cancelled and the application fee will not be refunded.
• If you have a criminal record you may not be able to complete this program. If you are listed on a Child Abuse Registry or Adult Abuse Registry you will not be able to complete this program. See Admission Requirements for more info.
• Learn about this program by ATTENDING AN INFORMATION SESSION. The session is approximately 60-90 minutes and will cover general program information, admission requirements, and how to apply. Sign up for a session that best fits your schedule.
  

Description
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, also known as Echocardiography, is a technology involving the application of high-frequency sound waves on patients to aid in cardiac diagnoses. As part of the patient care team, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers assess patients and provide information to Cardiologists for diagnoses and monitoring patients' health statuses.

The Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program prepares students, through theoretical and clinical training, to conduct Echocardiography examinations, focusing on the heart. This content is cross-referenced to the national competency profile set up by Sonography Canada.

This is a specialized profession requiring a high degree of technical skills and hand eye coordination, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

As part of training, students will perform scans on each other therefore all students must be agreeable to participate in scanning procedures. 

Sonography Canada administers the Canadian credentials. To qualify for certification as a Cardiac Sonographer, candidates will be required to successfully complete two exams:

1. The Core Sonographic Examination - cost $200.00
2. The Cardiac Sonographer Examination - cost $250.00

The certification application fee is $100.00.

Admission Requirements

Your application will be cancelled without a refund of the non-refundable/non-transferable application fee if you apply:

• While still enrolled in the academic requirements listed in 1, 2, and 3 and cannot submit proof of successful completion within 30 days of applying
• Before completing admission requirements 4, 5 and 6 and therefore cannot submit proof of completion within 30 days of applying
  

This is a special selection program. Offers of admittance will be made based on CASPer results in descending order until all available seats are filled. Therefore, not all applicants who meet admission requirements will be offered a seat. Applicants who meet admission requirements but do not receive an offer of admittance may reapply for a future academic year by submitting a new application and application fee.

Annual application deadline: April 15

We require verification of your complete academic history including any public or private high school, college, university, or technical institutions you have attended.

Post-secondary transcripts must have been issued within 6 months prior to your application date, and submitted in a sealed envelope directly from the post-secondary institution.

If you are required to complete an English language assessment, do not submit your transcripts until requested to do so.  See Regular Admission Requirement 4 for more information.

Regular Admission Requirements

1. Post-Secondary Education
• Submit proof of having successfully completed 18 or more credits of degree-level (1000 level or higher) post-secondary education including:
• 12 or more credits of Science
• A maximum of 6 credits of Arts and Humanities may be applied towards the required 18 credits
• A minimum grade of 65% or 'C+' is required in each course. However, grades of Pass, Complete or Satisfied will be accepted for courses completed in Winter 2020, Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 only.
• Degree-level (1000 level or higher) courses approved by the degree granting institution as meeting Science or Arts and Humanities requirements will be accepted.  However, Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-credits) and Medical Terminology (3-credits) cannot be used to fulfill this requirement
  and
2. Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-credits)
• Submit proof of successful completion of 6-credits of acceptable Human Anatomy and Physiology courses.  For a list of recommended courses, click here
• Courses must include a lab component
• A minimum grade of 65% or 'C+' is required in each course. However, grades of Pass, Complete or Satisfied will be accepted for courses completed in Winter 2020, Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 only.
• You must have completed the course(s) within five years of your application date. For example:
• If you apply to RRC on January 15, 2021 your course must have been completed on or after January 15, 2016
  and
3. Medical Terminology (3-credits)
• Submit proof of successful completion of 3-credits of Medical Terminology
• View RRC's list of recommended Medical Terminology courses
• A minimum grade of 65% or 'C+' is required. However, grades of Pass, Complete or Satisfied will be accepted for courses completed in Winter 2020, Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 only.
• You must have completed the course(s) within five years of your application date. For example:
• If you apply to RRC on January 15, 2021 your course must have been completed on or after January 15, 2016
  and
4. Reading Skills (DRP) or English Language Assessment (ELA)
• Before applying, determine which assessment (DRP or ELA) is appropriate for your situation.
• We strongly advise you complete the assessment before submitting your application to ensure you meet required levels.
• Assessment results must be dated no more than two years prior to your application date.
• Have you successfully completed the equivalent of three years of full-time secondary (high school) education in Canada, the United States, or an ELR exempt country where English was the language of instruction? To view a list of ELR exempt countries click here.
• If yes:
• Before applying, register for and successfully complete the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) assessment. The minimum DRP level required for this program is 71.
• After meeting the minimum DRP level, submit your application and transcripts for verification purposes.
  or
• If no:
• Before applying, successfully complete an approved English language assessment at the required levels.
• After meeting the required levels, submit your application and assessment results. 
  or
• If you completed all of your education in Canada, the United States, or an ELR exempt country in English but did not complete three years of high school, submit your transcripts for verification purposes and complete the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) assessment.
  and
5. First Aid Course
• Submit proof of current certification in the appropriate First Aid course.  To confirm which course you need to complete for this program click here
  and
6. Applicant Declaration for Check Documents Form
• Submit a completed Applicant Declaration for Check Documents form
  and
7. CASPer Assessment
• Successfully complete the two-part online CASPer assessment:
• CASPer Test - an online situational judgement test that assesses personal competencies including non-academic attributes and people skills
• CASPer Snapshot - a short video response tool  
• Results will be used to select applicants with the highest potential for success
• Offers of admission will be made based on CASPer results in descending order until all available seats are filled
• You may complete the CASPer assessment once per admission cycle (April to March annually)
• Your results will be valid for all applicable RRC programs applied to during the admissions cycle
• A limited number of CASPer assessment dates are available each admissions cycle
• You are responsible for the cost of both the Test and Snapshot
• Your CASPer results will be submitted directly to RRC (you do no need to submit your results)
• Recommended assessment preparation:
• CASPer Test Prep
• CASPer Frequently Asked Questions
• CASPer  support team 
• RRC workshop

Program Progression Requirements
Program progression requirements are not due within 30 days of applying and should be submitted after you start classes.

• Criminal Record and Adult and Child Abuse Checks
• This program requires students to submit current original/official versions of one or more of the following checks:
• Criminal Record Check (CRC)
• Provincial Child Abuse Registry Check (CAR)
• Adult Abuse Registry Check (AAR)
  
• If you have a criminal record you may not be able to complete the program
• If you are listed on an Abuse Registry you will not be able to complete the program
• For details on this program's requirements, when to obtain and submit the documents, review the Applicant Declaration for Check Documents Form
• These documents have expiration dates and should not be obtained prior to timeline indicated on the Applicant Declaration for Check Documents form
• For general information on why RRC requires these checks and for links to check providers such as the Winnipeg Police, visit our Criminal Record Checks webpage
• Submit your check documents to the RRC program contact listed on the Contact Information section of your program
  and
• Immunizations and Testing
• Review the Healthcare Program Immunizations information
• If you have questions about this requirement contact Health Services
• Submit your completed RRC Healthcare Program Questionnaire to RRC's Health Services

Who Should Enrol?

You may be interested in a career in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography if you:

• Desire to work in a medical environment
• Are compassionate and motivated to help the sick and injured
• Have a strong academic background, especially in science
• Have an aptitude for effective communication
• Are able to cope with constant changes in technology and in your work environment
• Have an eye for detail, excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, and good spatial reasoning
• Have excellent hand eye coordination
• Have excellent people skills
• Understand the responsibility of your role within the diagnostic medical team
• Have good computer skills

When working in the health care profession, there are many physical and emotional demands.  As a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, you must:

• Be in good physical and mental health, and be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time without resting
• Have the ability to lift 50 pounds
• Be able to push and pull, and bend and stoop routinely
• Have full use of both hands, wrists, arms and shoulders
• Have the ability to operate the scanner controls and the transducer simultaneously and effectively
• Be able to distinguish audible sounds
• Have the ability to identify colour distinctions in order to adequately view sonograms
• Demonstrate the use of safe and effective body mechanics while working with patients
• Be able to safely lift, transfer, and position patients, some of whom may be in a state of unconsciousness or who may be large and heavy and have limited or no weight bearing capabilities
• Be able to interact compassionately and effectively with the sick and injured
• Communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals
• Have the ability to organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence

Additionally, you may:

• Experience repetitive strain injuries
• Be exposed to extreme patient injuries
• Be required to work extended hours
• Be exposed to infectious diseases, blood and bodily fluids, toxic materials, noise, allergens, and physical and emotional stress
• Encounter aggressive and agitated patients, visitors, and staff
• Experience physical and compassion fatigue 
  

Computer/Laptop Requirements

Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College students require, at minimum:

1.  Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam

2.  A high speed internet connection

• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/studentcomputing for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.

Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which documents and compares an individual's prior learning gained from prior education, work and life experiences and personal study to the learning outcomes in College courses/programs. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca/rpl.

Employment Potential

Ultrasound is practiced in major urban and rural hospitals. In Manitoba there is also mobile ultrasound, where the sonographer travels with a portable ultrasound machine to service smaller rural communities. In other provinces there are also private clinics.

Some graduates are working in related teaching, management, and research positions. Others are employed as application specialists, technical advisors, or representatives for diagnostic imaging equipment and supply manufacturers.

In 2013, an entry level technologist in Manitoba could expect to make approximately $31.56 per hour as a starting wage.

As of June 2015, there is a shortage of these qualified professionals.

Contact Information