Obstetric Ultrasound course

This course develops knowledge and understanding in performing, interpreting and reporting a wide range of clinical ultrasound examinations in obstetrics, as well as the ability to respond to changes in working practice and apply new techniques after critical evaluation.

You will also develop the skills to be able to critically review management options for a range of common pathologies and situations.

This course facilitates the extended role of the practitioner by encouraging the skills of reflection and analysis so that you can critically appraise current practice, and so improve service to the patient and the effectiveness of the ultrasound department.

Who is it for?

When accessed as a CPD standalone course, this course is for qualified sonographers wishing to extend their practice into the field of obstetric ultrasound.
All candidates must have a clinical placement with a minimum of three days a week supervised scanning time prior to admission to the course.

Timetable

Term 1

Timetable TBC

Benefits

Participants will develop knowledge and clinical skills in obstetric ultrasound procedures and be able to critically evaluate professional issues in ultrasound practice.

The course is worth 30M level credits when taken as part of a PGCert / PGDip / MSc.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 30 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Content outline

• the anatomy, embryology, physiology and ultrasound appearances of normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound appearances, throughout all three trimesters
• ultrasound assessment of early pregnancy complications and use as a screening tool in ongoing pregnancies - the role of obstetric ultrasound in relation to other diagnostic and screening tests
• a range of pathological conditions and how they relate to clinical practice, equipment selection and ultrasound technique
• national guidelines, communication and a wide range of relevant current issues
• obstetric-related gynaecological pathology (within tutorials and in clinical practice.)

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the normal and abnormal ultrasound appearances and critically analyse clinical pathways of common pathologies in obstetrics and how the advanced practitioner role can be developed in the clinical setting
• Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate preparation and care suitable to the ultrasound procedure (and clinical history) and show an ability to critically explore the clinical impact of advances in ultrasound technology, other diagnostic and screening tests and procedures.

Skills:

• Perform, discuss, interpret and report on normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound appearances, including B-mode, spectral and colour Doppler in a competent manner. This includes selecting and operating the equipment in a safe and appropriate manner according to the client’s clinical condition. Critically analyse the findings in the context of the client’s condition, demonstrating the effect on the management of the pregnancy
• Critically evaluate current clinical practice within the ultrasound department in relation to national guidelines and evidence-based practice.

Values and attitudes:

• Take responsibility for delivery and management of high-quality client care, demonstrating the ability to critically analyse situations and resolve problems
• Critically evaluate the ethical issues related to obstetric ultrasound and clinical care.

Teaching is delivered via the ‘flipped classroom’ method with online resources for knowledge acquisition and in class problem, scenario-based learning, online lectures and face-to-face teaching.

Knowledge and understanding is assessed by:

• An objective structured examination (OSE) to examine your comprehension and understanding of a variety of clinical applications, ultrasound findings and the role of ultrasound in the management of obstetric clients.
• A clinical portfolio to examine your ability to evaluate the literature and relate it to the clinical setting and reflect on clinical practice
• Clinical assessments to assess your ability to perform a range of different examinations in a competent and professional manner.

Credits

This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.

All entrants to the Programme must be in possession of a relevant first degree. The normal entry requirements are:

• Applicants will normally hold a BSc (hons) degree (2:1 or above) from a recognised higher education institution e.g. Radiography, Nursing, Midwifery.
  • Non-standard entrants will be considered on a case by case basis, subject to availability of places on the programme (early application is recommended).
• A clinical placement for an average of 3 days per week in a clinical department is required. The department will need to provide a range of clinical examinations, appropriate clinical support and a named mentor who can attend mentor and assessor training at the university.#
  • A clinical experience (CE1) form will need to be signed by the ultrasound department manager, before your application can be considered.
  • If your clinical placement is terminated for any reason, the university is unable to provide placements.
  • If a suitable clinical placement cannot be found you would be required to withdraw from the course.

Also required:

• Ultrasound Physics (RDM033) and Developing Professional Skills in Ultrasound (RCM022)
• Applicants must have an ultrasound qualification in order to apply.

If you don't already hold a recognised ultrasound qualification, this course can only be taken as part of a programme, not as a stand-alone course.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.