In just two years of part-time study you will extend your knowledge, practical skills and understanding of this specialised area. 

Practical learning is a core component, with students embarking on 2,000 supervised cardiac scans throughout the duration of the program. You will gain valuable real-world skills and important industry contacts.  

This graduate diploma is only offered online, with attendance at an on-campus final clinical assessment required. It can only be studied part-time over a minimum of two years. There are some optional workshops held on campus for scanning courses.

Completion provides credit toward the Master of Medical Sonography (Cardiac).

What you'll need

Applicants are responsible for organising their own training position in a cardiac laboratory in order to complete the required scanning experience.

Please note; competition for limited clinical training placements in cardiac sonography is very high. Applicants from a non-imaging background are strongly advised to secure their clinical placement before undertaking this program.

What you'll learn

Through a range of assessments and practical experience, you will develop the knowledge, clinical skills, critical thinking and analytical skills to practice as a medical cardiac sonographer.

You will graduate with the ability to apply theoretical principles, logical thinking and critical reasoning to arrive at a provisional diagnosis and a list of differential diagnoses, and the competence to respond to the current and evolving healthcare needs of the multifaceted community both within Australia and internationally.

You will learn:

• Anatomy and embryology of the cardiovascular system
• Physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system
• Development of an appropriate imaging strategy for safe and confident completion of cardiac ultrasound examinations in a clinical environment
• Haemodynamic principles and calculations for estimation of cardiac pressures
• Congenital heart disease (including imaging in the pre and post-surgical patient)
• Advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes required to practice autonomously and responsibly with expert judgement and adaptability as an accredited cardiac medical sonographer, as described in the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Program Accreditation Guidelines.

There is a current shortage of specialised sonographers in Australia and New Zealand.1 Sonographers require highly developed technical skills and a strong understanding of health science, physics, anatomy and pathology for examination of the heart. As a graduate, you can find work as an accredited medical sonographer in metropolitan, rural and remote locations, across settings including:

• private and public medical imaging departments
• specialist areas including cardiac laboratories and cardiology practices
• hospitals
• tertiary education providers.

1Parliament of Australia, Diagnostic imaging workforce.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program enables graduates to apply for full professional accreditation from the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) under the Cardiac Sonography category. Evidence of scanning experience in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting is required for such accreditation.