This 10-week cardiac ultrasound course, offered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, is designed for clinicians who use—or wish to use—cardiac PoCUS in their clinical practice. It is particularly suited for those who want to acquire a firm foundation and confidence in obtaining standard cardiac ultrasound views. The course also covers the application of these views in patients in cardiac arrest, with a suspected pulmonary embolism, pericardial tamponade and in fluid administration decisions in shock.

This micro-credential can be taken as a standalone course or as part of our PgCert in PoCUS programme. Click here to learn more about the other micro-credentials we offer.

Next Dates: 24th April – 26th June 2025

Fee: £450 (price expected to increase in September 2025)

What is a micro-credential?

A micro-credential is a short, specific course of study, with an assessment which earns credits. The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme is a national UK university scheme to allow credits to be earned and accumulated. For example, a typical postgraduate diploma is 120 credits, a typical PgCert is 60 credits. Each of our micro-credentials earns 10 credits, with each credit representing the notional equivalent of 10 hours of study.

What is the commitment?

Each micro-credential requires 100 hours of notional study, most of which will be self-directed learning. However, for micro-credentials with a practical component (all except Ultrasound Image Acquisition and Optimisation), you must also complete a minimum of 21 hours of in-person, hands-on training at our London-based training centre if this is your first micro-credential with us, or 15 hours if you have already attended one of our other micro-credentials. You can enrol on up to two micro-credentials per term.

What are the entry requirements?

• Professional Registration: Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), or Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Educational Background: A relevant first degree, such as MB BS (or equivalent), or a bachelor’s degree, ideally at first-class or 2:1 level.
• Clinical Experience: Employment in an appropriate clinical role, with experience relevant to the use of ultrasound in practice.

What does the Fundamental Cardiac PoCUS course cover?

• Medico-legal aspects and patient safety
• Familiarity with a wide range of ultrasound equipment
• Confident use of ultrasound equipment
• Indications for cardiac PoCUS ultrasound
• Obtaining standard views (parasternal long-axis, para-sternal short axis, apical four chamber, apical five chamber and subcostal views)
• Introduction to spectral and colour flow Doppler
• Recognising normal and abnormal appearances within the pathologies covered and making PoCUS decisions
• Integrating ultrasound findings into clinical decision-making
• Report writing
• Familiarity with national and international guidelines
• The value and role of departmental protocols

How is the course taught?

You will have access to video materials covering the theoretical content. Didactic teaching will be combined with practical face-to-face sessions, where you will use a range of ultrasound systems to develop scanning skills on normal volunteers. Additionally, simulators, including HeartWorks^®, will be used to practise imaging and identifying various abnormalities.

How will your skills of cardiac ultrasound be assessed?

The award of the micro-credential will require successful completion of both written and practical assessments. The knowledge content will be assessed through a multiple-choice examination using still images where appropriate. Practical skills will be assessed through obtaining optimal images on normal subjects and through obtaining optimal images of simulated pathology on simulators.

Schedule

The in-person training sessions will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please note that attendance on the first day and the assessment day is mandatory. Attendance on the second and third days is highly recommended to ensure you receive the foundational knowledge essential for further training. The remaining days are flexible. The schedule for the next term is as follows:

24th April 2025 – core content training day, mandatory to attend
8th May 2025 – core content training day
29th May 2025 – training day
12th June 2025 – training day
19th June 2025 – training day
26th June 2025 – assessment day, mandatory to attend

We may be able to offer an additional session for in-person training, if required.

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