Entry-to-Practice Exams

The Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA™) is the clinical component of Sonography Canada’s credentialing process.

The CCSA assessment is a summative assessment designed to measure entry-level clinical competence.  The skills are based upon the clinical or “C” level competencies in the NCP Version 6.1 and should be demonstrated in the candidate’s clinical performance consistent with the definition of entry-level competence.

The CCSA is currently available to students of accredited Canadian ultrasound programs and Alternate Pathway applicants

Entry Level Competence:

Competence refers to the ability of a professional to practice safely, effectively and ethically. The competence of health care professionals is crucial to public safety and patient well-being.

Competence is:

• developmental – evolves over the span of a person’s career
• impermanent – knowledge and skills that are not regularly utilized are lost and
• context-specific – not measurable in the absence of a specific practice situation

Entry-level competence recognizes that an entry-to-practice sonographer is a novice in the profession. These sonographers will have varying levels of knowledge and skills: academic, simulated, and/or clinical.  When presented with routine situations, sonographers at this level should perform relevant competencies in a manner consistent with generally accepted standards in the profession, independently and within a reasonable timeframe. Entry-level sonographers should anticipate the expected outcomes in a given situation and respond appropriately, performing competencies in an informed manner.

Canadian Accredited Educational Programs Candidate:

Canadian accredited educational programs and Sonography Canada entered into agreements which provide the students candidates with an opportunity to complete the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA) that is required to obtain the Generalist credential.

Although program personnel administer it, the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment is an independent process that may or may not be a requirement for program graduation.  Further information about this may be obtained from the candidate’s Program CCSA Representative.

Alternate Pathway Information:

Alternate pathway candidates can only apply for the CCSA after they’ve successfully completed the written examinations. Candidates must pass the CCSA (within their given eligibility period) before a Sonography Canada credential can be awarded. There are no exemptions from the CCSA.

The Alternate Pathway CCSA is formatted as a one-day (approximately 8-hour) assessment, during which the candidate scans the required cases under the observation of two Sonography Canada credentialed assessors.

To begin the process, please apply on our website. Once approved, your application will be added to the existing queue, and you will be notified via email once we are ready to begin scheduling your CCSA. Please be aware that a response may take up to six (6) weeks, subject to the current waitlist.

Candidates:

Imaging must be diagnostic. There may be room for improvement in terms of ideal windows and instrumentation, but imaging must demonstrate features that would allow for correct interpretation by a physician.

Must complete a thorough history, examination, and technical impression for each case. It is important that the areas for examination are adequately assessed and that all clinically significant abnormal findings are documented. 

Should be constantly observed by the assessors throughout the scanning of the entire case.  The assessors still can re-scan any portion(s) of a case to ensure that an adequate assessment was completed by the candidate as the assessors is ultimately responsible for the case.

Must complete the applicable skills independently, accurately and within a timeframe consistent with expectations for an entry-level sonographer. Approximate scan times are determined by the clinical site for all the case types.  These times need to be communicated to the candidate before the candidate begins their assessments.

Does not have to follow the order of the Sonographic skills listed. However, their scan plan must be in a logical, acceptable order and/or adhere to site protocol.

Must assess all Sonographic skill areas that apply in the case, but are only required to image according to site protocol and what is needed to document their findings correctly.