Diagnostic Ultrasonography

• Intense training to become an integral part of the healthcare team
• Accredited with Accreditation Canada Prepares you to challenge Sonography Canada’s Generalist certification examination
• Registration with Sonography Canada provides opportunity to work across Canada

• Ultrasound sound waves have frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing.
• Sonographers are medical detectives; they find clues to get the information required for a Radiologist to make a diagnosis. 
• The global diagnostic ultrasound market is experiencing a boom now until 2028.
• The average Canadian salary is C $80,000 per year, with the median annual salary of C $64,000 per year.  Sonographer Salary in Canada — Average Salary

Upon successful completion of this program graduates will be able to:

1. Utilize academic knowledge as outlined in the Sonography Canada Competency Profile and apply learned knowledge in clinical practice.
2. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills that promote competence in the performance of ultrasound procedures.
3. Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the health care team to serve patients and employers with the highest degree of competence.
4. Maintain a high level of professional conduct in the performance of all duties.

This is a three-year program that includes a combination of training at CNA and in health facilities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Graduates of the program are eligible to write the certification examinations set by Sonography Canada and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). To obtain sufficient practice and confidence, students enrolled in this program must be willing to scan classmates and be willing to be scanned.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for the Sonography Canada Generalist certification examination. This examination will include general sonography knowledge, ultrasound physics and instrumentation, professional practice and sonographic examinations, including abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological and superficial structures.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit Sonography Canada’s Entry-to-Practice Exams page.

Students will complete the following during the program:

• Standard/Intermediate First Aid
• Basic Life Support
• Trauma Informed Care (Sonography Canada)
• Mask fit testing

Clinical placements are a required element of this program, and students will be assigned placements at approved training sites throughout the province. Additional sites may be considered in consultation with program faculty. There is no guarantee that students will receive their preferred placement. All expenses associated with the completion of clinical placement will be the responsibility of the student.  
 
Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerability Sector Check) to be permitted into a clinical placement.  Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to contact student.placements@cna.nl.ca prior to beginning the program. 
 
For programs with competitive admissions, clinical placements are not affected by ranking in the competitive admissions process and will be determined under institutional guidelines.
 
CNA has a service agreement with a third-party provider Verified to prepare School of Health Sciences students for clinical placements in health care environments. The cost associated with Verified is available on the program cost forms. More information about this service will be provided upon the start of classes.

This program is currently awarded Accredited with Condition status by Accreditation Canada/Equal until February 29, 2028. This is the highest accreditation outcome for a new program.

This program is “Accredited with condition” with Accreditation Canada/Equal. This program demonstrates partial compliance with accreditation standards. It must implement specific changes within two years of receiving conditional status to maintain its accreditation. However, students should be aware of the risk that the program may not be able to make the necessary changes, potentially resulting in a loss of accreditation. If the required changes have been made, the program is then accredited and graduating students may be eligible for further credentialing/certification/registration as required by their professional and/or regulatory authorities. 

Accreditation status may be found at: https://accreditation.ca/assessment-programs/health-education-accreditation/programs/

Sonography is a physically demanding field, requiring sustained arm and shoulder positioning, and application of pressure with the ultrasound probe. Students will learn ergonomic strategies to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal strain, which is essential for long-term career wellness and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injury. Applicants with existing arm or shoulder injuries should be aware that the physical requirements of scanning may pose a risk of symptom exacerbation and are encouraged to consider their individual needs when deciding if this program is the right fit.