It's always a good sign in post-secondary education when a new program is completely filled months ahead of its first class.
At Humber Polytechnic, there are two new programs experiencing this - Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography and the Medical Diagnostic Sonography. While the programs start this September, both are now filled.
Registrations for September 2027 will begin later this year. Currently, there's a waitlist for this year's programs.
Lauren Riley, associate dean, Integrative and Allied Health with the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, said the programs were created to respond to industry needs. Clearly, there's a need there based on enrolments.
Riley noted there's only one other program similar to these in the GTA. Humber is aiming to fill that gap.
"Market demands are quite high and, with health-care professionals retiring, there are lots of jobs available right now in this field," said Riley.
The Medical Diagnostic Sonography program prepares students with the necessary skills and expertise to become proficient diagnostic medical sonographers. Students will gain the knowledge needed to integrate patient medical history, diagnostic data and clinical information to formulate effective sonographic scanning strategies. Learners are trained to analyze technical data to produce accurate findings for physician interpretation and adhere to established protocols to maintain a safe and controlled environment.
The program also includes instruction on emergency response procedures, infection control and equipment maintenance, ensuring optimal image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
Those in the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program will be equipped with specialized expertise in cardiac ultrasound imaging. Cardiac sonographers play a vital role in diagnosing heart conditions by operating advanced imaging technology and collaborating closely with physicians.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and sonography protocols, ensuring they perform procedures within a clearly defined scope of practice.
The learners coming to the program have a mix of life experiences and backgrounds. Riley said some are internationally trained health-care professionals looking to start their careers in Canada or are people looking to change career paths.
Some are students right out of high school who want a sonography career.
Humber is currently building new labs and further developing industry connections while growing partnerships to ensure learners in the programs have the best possible experience.
The programs both offer work-integrated learning opportunities that include clinical placements. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply classroom and lab training in real health-care settings while working directly with patients under supervision.
That exposure to clinical environments, equipment, and protocols helps prepare them for their future roles.
Find out more by visiting the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography and Medical Diagnostic Sonography webpages.
