Our extended cardiac PoCUS micro-credential, offered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, builds on the fundamental cardiac PoCUS micro-credential. New areas covered include assessment of global function of the left ventricle and right ventricle, qualitative judgement of regional wall motion abnormalities, qualitative assessment of valve function and basic Doppler assessments.

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: tbc

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 Extended Cardiac Ultrasound course cover?

• Medico-legal aspects – outlining the responsibility to practise within specific levels of competence and the requirements for training
• The value and role of departmental protocols
• Indications for examinations
• Patient information and preparation
• Relevance of ultrasound to other imaging modalities
• Informed consent
• Understanding of image acquisition and optimisation in relation to ultrasound imaging of the heart, including cardiac ultrasound conventions, standard transthoracic views and recognition of adequate views
• Scanning techniques, including the use of spectral and colour Doppler
• Understanding of normal and abnormal cardiac ultrasound appearances relevant to PoCUS
• Interpretation of the standard views in the context of PoCUS clinical problems: pulmonary embolism, pericardial tamponade, inferior vena cava (IVC) assessment and left ventricular contractility in challenging contexts
• Assessment of both left and right heart cavity dimensions, wall thicknesses and contractility
• Principles of ultrasound diagnosis in cardiac PoCUS
• Ultrasound scan reporting
• The influence of ultrasound results on the need for other imaging

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.

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.

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.

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