Bachelor
An Echocardiographer (or cardiac sonographer) is a health professional who uses a range of diagnostic tools, including ultrasonic equipment, to produce diagnostic images, video loops, laboratory data and three dimensional and four-dimensional volumes of cardiovascular anatomy.
You will undertake a four-year full-time course of study, comprising a three-year undergraduate Bachelor of Echocardiography (Cardiac Physiology) and a one-year Graduate Diploma of Echocardiography.
You will be able to apply your knowledge of cardiac physiology, measurement science and practical echocardiographic scanning skills in the diagnostic setting.
Why choose Echocardiography at CQUni?
When applying, you must demonstrate that you have met the listed Entry Requirements and English Language Proficiency requirements.
After you have applied and enrolled in this course, you will need to be able to meet the Security and Health Requirements as these generally relate to work-integrated learning activities that form part of your course. You will be provided with more information about security and health requirements after enrolling in the relevant units that these relate to.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.Entry RequirementsEnglish Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Course years 2-4 include clinical placement. Students are required to meet all mandatory requirements to attend Clinical Placements. Clinical placements are a requirement for the award of the Degree.
Students must satisfy specific pre-clinical safety and security requirements prior to each placement, including a clear criminal record check, and must disclose any condition that may put himself or herself, or the public, at significant risk whilst on placement.
Students who have a criminal history check disclosure, prior to commencing the degree or recorded during the course of the degree, are required to have their fitness for placement assessed on a case by case basis by the University or in conjunction with the placement site or State Health Department (as appropriate).
Where a student has a criminal history check, prior to enrolment in the degree, the student may be required to apply for clearance through the applicable State Health Department to determine fitness for placement, prior to enrolment in the degree.
A student may be determined ineligible for placement, based on the nature of the criminal history disclosure, the inability to perform required tasks, or if the student may be determined a risk to clients, staff or other stakeholders.
A student may be determined ineligible for placement, if the placement site is unable to work within the constraints of any conditions or work modifications placed upon the work site by the State Health Department or Assessment Unit within a private organisation.
If conditions imposed upon the placement are too restrictive for placement sites within the current offer round, the student is determined not fit for placement and is at risk of the University terminating enrolment in the degree.
Health RequirementsCourse years 2-4 include clinical placement. Students are required to meet all mandatory requirements to attend Clinical Placements. Clinical placements are a requirement for the award of the Degree.
Students must satisfy specific pre-clinical health and safety checks prior to each placement, and must disclose any condition that may put himself or herself, or the public, at significant risk whilst on placement.
Students must provide evidence of completion of vaccinations and immunity checks, as stipulated prior to placement attendance, in accordance with the state Department of Health requirements for clinical students.
Whilst on placement, students will perform cardiac assessment on, and provide hands-on care to, people who may be ill or injured.
Students will need to be physically fit, able to stand and walk for extended periods, lift, stretch, carry heavy loads and have sufficient visual acuity and contrast sensitivity to assess fine detail of images and perform safely in a range of lighting conditions.
A student may be determined ineligible for placement, based on the inability to perform required tasks, or if the student may be determined a risk to clients, staff or other stakeholders.
A student may be determined ineligible for placement, if the placement site is unable to work within the constraints of any conditions or work modifications placed upon the work site by the State Health Department or Assessment Unit within a private organisation.
If conditions imposed upon the placement are too restrictive for placement sites within the current offer round, the student is determined not fit for placement and is at risk of the University terminating enrolment in the degree.
Assumed KnowledgeEnglish, Biology, Science, Physics, Maths
The Bachelor of Echocardiography (Cardiac Physiology) and Graduate Diploma of Echocardiography prepares you to practise as an Echocardiographer.
Employment opportunities may exist in organisations such as:
Echocardiographers are highly specialised health professionals, who require specialised education and skills to view, analyse, modify and provisionally report on cardiac scans. An echocardiographer has an important degree of responsibility within the diagnostic process and often work closely with surgical staff.
Echocardiographers are in demand in many public and private health facilities, and this demand is likely to grow due to the aging population.
Australian Sonographers and Echocardiographers are well regarded globally and there are strong employment opportunities if you are looking to travel and work overseas.