Course overview
We have evolved to be one of the largest and most innovative postgraduate ultrasound training courses in the UK. We embrace innovative teaching methods via our online resources, face-to-face practical delivery and regular webinars, training many clinicians and allied health professionals from across the UK, Europe and the Arabian Gulf across a wide range of acute specialties, including emergency medicine, critical care, pre-hospital care and acute medicine.
The first year of this Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) accredited course enables healthcare professionals from varying clinical backgrounds to become safe, competent ultrasound practitioners. The second year allows you to increase your clinical leadership and research knowledge. The third allows you to become an authentic leader in the field of medical ultrasound by providing you with an opportunity to design and manage a major research project. The course aims:
- to provide you with the skills to perform ultrasound imaging in several areas of practice safely and effectively to national guidelines, while placing the patient at the centre of care
- to provide you with the ability to become an authentic leader by conducting a major project, demonstrating advanced critical skills and knowledge of research, allowing you to improve the current and future healthcare of the population
- to promote an ethos of caring, compassion, professionalism, excellence, and lifelong learning.
The course promotes safe, competent practice by ensuring all participants have a critical understanding of the core science and principles of medical ultrasound.
There are two routes for you to choose from:
- a traditional clinical route which provides postgraduate training for sonographers usually based in a radiology or obstetrics/gynaecology department
- a point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) practice route
The clinical route has a range of modules including general medical ultrasound, obstetrics and gynaecological and musculoskeletal.
The PoCUS route includes a range of clinical options including modules relating to the use of ultrasound in:
• emergency medicine
• acute medicine
• acute surgical disciplines
• critical care medicine and anaesthetics (including regional anaesthesia)
• prehospital medicine.
We recognise the diverging use of PoCUS and the generation of new applications, therefore we can negotiate bespoke clinical modules in up and coming areas of practice. This truly promotes the innovative and progressive practice of PoCUS.
NOTE
If you are unsure which route to choose, please contact us on the Get in touch details below.
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules - Clinical Route
Principles of Ultrasound Science and Technology
This face-to-face delivered module is supplemented by personal learning and webinars. You explore the foundations of ultrasound science, machine features and safe practice.
and one optional module
General Medical and Gynaecological Ultrasound
This module explores relevant and important topics for sonographers working in ultrasound departments, including early pregnancy scanning.
Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
You will explore the lower limb curriculum for sonographers undertaking a musculoskeletal practice.
Negotiated Study in Medical Ultrasound Practice
Ultrasound in clinical medicine is exciting and dynamic. Develop training and knowledge by exploring areas such as pediatrics and procedural techniques. Techniques include joint injections and ultrasound-guided nerve blocks.
Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound
This module is aimed at assisting midwives, radiographers and other health care professionals who are working in obstetric and gynecological practice.
Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
This module comprehensively covers the upper limb curriculum for sonographers undertaking a musculoskeletal practice.
This module delivers the curriculum for clinical vascular scientists and vascular sonographers.
Year 1 core modules - Point of Care Route
Principles of Ultrasound Science and Technology
This face-to-face delivered module is supplemented by personal learning and webinars. You explore the foundations of ultrasound science, machine features and safe practice.
and two optional modules
Core Emergency Medicine Ultrasound
Identify the knowledge and skills required for the four essential cornerstones of emergency ultrasound practice – abdominal aortic scanning, scanning in trauma, entry-level echo for peri-arrest and cardiac arrest for patients, and ultrasound-guided vascular access (peripheral and central).
Deep Venous Thrombus Ultrasound
Explore the knowledge and skills regarding the interrogation of the deep venous system. A spectrum of techniques will be taught, from 2/3-point focused scanning to a full comprehensive study, including upper limb assessment.
Renal and Hepato-biliary Ultrasound
Discover the knowledge and skills for interrogation of the patient with potential renal/urological and/or hepatobiliary problems. A pragmatic and focused toolkit is taught that is suitable for a PoCUS environment.
Shock and Focused Echo Ultrasound
Explore the knowledge and skills required for interrogation of a patient in a shocked state. Cover the causes of shock and develop a clinical toolkit for assessment which includes chest ultrasound, haemodynamic assessment, echocardiology skills in addition to skills learnt in the Core module.
Year 2 core modules - Clincal Route
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.
You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.
and one optional module
General Medical and Gynaecological Ultrasound
This module explores relevant and important topics for sonographers working in ultrasound departments, including early pregnancy scanning.
Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
You will explore the lower limb curriculum for sonographers undertaking a musculoskeletal practice.
Negotiated Study in Medical Ultrasound Practice
Ultrasound in clinical medicine is exciting and dynamic. Develop training and knowledge by exploring areas such as pediatrics and procedural techniques. Techniques include joint injections and ultrasound-guided nerve blocks.
Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound
This module is aimed at assisting midwives, radiographers and other health care professionals who are working in obstetric and gynecological practice.
Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
This module comprehensively covers the upper limb curriculum for sonographers undertaking a musculoskeletal practice.
This module delivers the curriculum for clinical vascular scientists and vascular sonographers.
Year 2 core modules - Point of Care Route
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.
You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.
and two optional modules
Deep Venous Thrombus Ultrasound
Explore the knowledge and skills regarding the interrogation of the deep venous system. A spectrum of techniques will be taught, from 2/3-point focused scanning to a full comprehensive study, including upper limb assessment.
Focused Negotiated Study in Medical Ultrasound Practice
Expand on the knowledge and skills needed for clinicians in specific areas such as paediatrics. You also explore procedural techniques, e.g. joint injections and ultrasound - guided nerve blocks
Renal and Hepato-biliary Ultrasound
Discover the knowledge and skills for interrogation of the patient with potential renal/urological and/or hepatobiliary problems. A pragmatic and focused toolkit is taught that is suitable for a PoCUS environment.
Shock and Focused Echo Ultrasound
Explore the knowledge and skills required for interrogation of a patient in a shocked state. Cover the causes of shock and develop a clinical toolkit for assessment which includes chest ultrasound, haemodynamic assessment, echocardiology skills in addition to skills learnt in the Core module.
Year 3 core modules
Here you consolidate and develop further skills and knowledge from previous modules. More specifically you synthesise learning as you apply your research-related knowledge to identify a researchable problem, plan and execute a study. You use a range of different methodologies for your study, such as quantitative, qualitative or systematic review.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Teaching is delivered at Teesside University through academic blocks. The clinical route is delivered over five two-week blocks. The point of care route is delivered over five two-day blocks to suit busy clinical workloads.
Both routes are supported through e-learning. You will also develop your practical skills within your clinical placement. It is a fusion which allows you to become an autonomous safe ultrasound practitioner. Teaching methods used during your academic blocks include lectures, seminars, group work, and practical workshops. The state-of-the-art Regional Ultrasound Simulation Centre here on campus is fully incorporated into the teaching.
How you are assessed
You are assessed by written assignment, examinations and practical triggered assessment.
Entry requirements
You must normally hold an appropriate health-related undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification appropriate to your area of study and have access to an acceptable clinical placement.
Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credits for previous study or related work experience which can be credited towards the course you want to study. Find out more about RPL.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Work placement
Prior to enrolling on the course, you must negotiate a clinical placement, where you can gain your practical skills. You must find this placement, the University cannot help with this.
Career opportunities
After completing your first year of study you can practise in your chosen area of ultrasound.
