This reinforcing clinical course will provide students with the opportunity to connect their theoretical knowledge to clinical practice through participation in a simulated clinical environment and at a cardiac sonography department within an RRC-affiliated healthcare facility. Under appropriate supervision, students will begin to apply and integrate concepts of diagnostic cardiac sonography to clinical practice in scenario-based simulations and by observing registered sonographers perform exams on actual patients. Students will also gain valuable exposure to other operational aspects of a diagnostic imaging facility.
In this course, students will begin to apply concepts of diagnostic cardiac sonography to clinical practice at an RRC-affiliated diagnostic imaging department within a healthcare facility. Under appropriate supervision, students will perform general scanning procedures with increasing independence and responsibility while expanding their ability to identify common pathologies and critique images. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a broad range of situations. This course will also reinforce and strengthen students’ patient care skills, history taking, ability to write technical impressions, communication with radiologists, and overall patient management.
In this course, students will continue to apply concepts of diagnostic cardiac sonography to clinical practice at an RRC-affiliated diagnostic imaging department within a healthcare facility. Under appropriate supervision, students will be given the opportunity to take primary responsibility for basic cardiac sonography procedures, integrating all the necessary skills and knowledge to progress toward scanning as an entry-level sonographer. Students will be able to observe and, where appropriate, participate in specialized procedures. Emphasis will be on completing cases effectively and in a timely manner, while achieving all the Sonography Canada National Competency Profiles through Canadian Clinical Skills Assessments.
In this introductory course, students will learn theoretical concepts relevant to the safe and effective practice of diagnostic medical sonography. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of physics and instrumentation, sonographic terminology, and how ultrasound interacts with body tissue. The characteristics of high frequency sound waves, sound beams, and different types of ultrasound transducers will be discussed – including wavelength, frequency, acoustic impedance, amplitude, power, intensity, attenuation, and focusing. Factors that govern the production of real-time diagnostic ultrasound images will be emphasized.
This course will introduce students to the theoretical principles of cardiac sonography, cardiac scanning techniques, and cardiac pathologies. They will learn to recognize normal anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels throughout the cardiac cycle and correlate these concepts with their sonographic appearance during imaging. Emphasis will be placed on the hemodynamics of both healthy and diseased cardiac processes, and the methods of interpretation and quantification of these states using 2-D, M-Mode, and Doppler sonography. Students will be introduced to common cardiac pathologies and their etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options.
In this practical application course, students will have the opportunity to apply basic sonographic techniques through hands-on scanning of the heart with guided instruction. Emphasis will be placed on the proper set-up and optimal operation of sonographic equipment, aligned with Sonography Canada National Competency Profiles. Students will learn to plan an echocardiogram through interpretation of relevant clinical information and apply critical thinking skills to assess the appropriate cardiac structures with 2-D, M-Mode, and Doppler sonography. Students will develop professional behaviour and communication skills necessary for interaction in a simulated healthcare environment.
This course will build upon the concepts that were previously introduced in Cardiac Sonography Theory 1. Students will further examine the theoretical principles of cardiac sonography and cardiac scanning techniques, and will continue to focus on the etiology, clinical history, treatment options, and sonographic appearance of cardiac pathologies and disease processes. Methods of accurate assessment, interpretation, and documentation using 2-D, M-Mode, and Doppler sonography will be covered. Students will be introduced to advanced cardiac assessment techniques and emerging technologies in the field of cardiac sonography.
This practical application course will build on the concepts that were previously introduced in Cardiac Sonography Laboratory Techniques 1. Students will have the opportunity to further refine sonographic techniques through hands-on scanning of the heart with guided instruction. Emphasis will be placed on routine cardiac protocols, pathology assessment, and the achievement of diagnostic quality imaging for optimal interpretation. Students will plan and perform complete echocardiograms and technical impressions, aligned with Sonography Canada National Competency Profiles. They will continue to reinforce professional behaviour and communication skills necessary for interaction in a simulated healthcare environment.