Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (Fast Track)

St. Clair College

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers (DCS) utilize high-frequency sound waves to assist physicians in making heart health diagnoses. They perform sonographic procedures on the heart and determine which images to submit for review to the primary care physician. This graduate certificate program would be of interest to graduates of applied health science programs such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Technology, Nursing and Human Kinetics.The Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program will prepare students to develop theoretical and clinical competency skills required in the field of cardiac sonography and will also allow them to gain extensive laboratory and clinical experience, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.Career OpportunitiesDiagnostic cardiac sonographers operate ultrasound equipment and use non-invasive cardiovascular technology equipment to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart and blood vessel conditions. They perform echocardiograms, or ultrasound imaging, to evaluate different aspects of the heart such as chamber size, valve function, and blood flow and to produce and record images of the cardiac system. While diagnostic cardiac sonographers do not diagnose patients, they work with physicians in doing so and may assist in other diagnostic procedures.Graduates of this continuous 16-month certificate program may work in hospitals, medical offices, private clinics, and independent cardiac testing centres.