PG Dip Medical Ultrasound
When can you start this course? |
Fees |
Course length |
Entry requirements
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You can also start this course in January |
Why choose this course?
- You'll be taught in our modern Clinical Skills Suite by some of the area's leading experts in medical ultrasound.
- You'll develop skills relevant to your own area of clinical practice, which will help you to move forward with your career.
- This course is a nationally recognised qualification and is accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) for its flexible and innovative approach.
About the course
If you are a qualified healthcare professional, such as a radiographer, nurse or midwife, this course will help you to develop your ultrasound skills enabling you to practise independently.
Recently there has been a sharp rise in the use of ultrasound within the NHS, which is reflected through the number of non-imaging medical and health professionals seeking specialist ultrasound training.
This course, which is nationally recognised and accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), will provide you with the high quality training you need to become a practising sonographer within your workplace.
You can tailor the course to your own interests, with the option to specialise in these areas:
- Focused Specialist Ultrasound Practice
- General Medical Ultrasound
- Obstetric Ultrasound
- Early Pregnancy Assessment
- Gynaecology Ultrasound
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Vascular Ultrasound.
Alternatively you can study a selection of modules from all areas to give you a wide range of training. We also offer some modules that will develop your management and leadership skills, which you can take alongside your chosen specialist modules.
You'll be supported throughout your studies and practical training by a tutor and a mentor. This ensures that you'll develop all the skills you need to practise in your chosen area of medical ultrasound.
You must have already organised a clinical placement in medical ultrasound with management support before you apply for this course. You'll also need to be able to complete a minimum of 200 hours practical scanning time, so that you can successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate stage.
Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...
This course is made up of two stages - Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma.
Postgraduate Certificate
You'll study these modules:
- Evaluating Evidence for Practice (15 credits) - As an advanced practitioner you'll need to be able to gain and use evidence and research in your role. This module is a foundation to developing the skills to critically evaluate research and to consider the impact this research will have on your advanced practice role.
- Principles of Medical Ultrasound (15 credits) - You'll develop an understanding of the underlying principles of ultrasound and the ability to apply this knowledge in the safe use of ultrasound equipment, image optimisation and evaluation.
You'll also need to gain a further 30 credits, which will need to include a minimum of 15 credits from the following modules. The remaining 15 credits could be from a module in the MSc Advanced Practice course.
- Echocardiography (30 credite) - Studying this double module will ensure you become a competent, reflective and autonomous practitioner, capable of safe and effective use of transthoracic ultrasound in the assessment of adult acquired cardiac disease.
- Focused Specialist Ultrasound (15 credits) - Building on your existing experience as a healthcare professional, this module will enable you to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to provide a high quality focused ultrasound service in your own clinical area.
- General Medical Ultrasound (30 credits) - You'll become a competent, reflective and autonomous practitioner capable of safe and effective use of ultrasound in the assessment of a range of general medical referrals.
- Gynaecology Ultrasound (15 credits) - You'll consider the safe and effective use of ultrasound in the assessment of gynaecology patients.
- Obstetric Ultrasound (30 credits) - You'll focus on routine obstetric referrals in this double module.
- Ultrasound in Early Pregnancy Assessment (15 credits) - This module will ensure that you're capable of safe and effective use of ultrasound in the assessment of early pregnancy.
- Vascular Ultrasound (30 credits) - You'll develop your skills and competencies in the effective use of ultrasound in the assessment of a range of vascular referrals.
Postgraduate Diploma
You'll study a further 60 credits at this stage. You'll study 45 credits from the following modules and the final 15 credits could be taken from the MSc Advanced Practice course.
- Advancing Communication Skills (15 credits) - As a healthcare professional, it's important that you are skilled in a range of communication techniques which you can use in complex, sensitive or contentious situations. In this module you'll assess your own communication skills, and you'll consider theoretical principles in areas that are relevant to you.
- Advancing Practice (15 credits) - Continuing your professional development is vital to ensure you maintain your competencies and develop practice. In this module you'll critically reflect upon an area of interest to you and use your theoretical and professional clinical knowledge to solve complex problems.
- Advancing Technology (15 credits) - This is a work-based module which will enable you to gain knowledge of emerging technologies that directly or indirectly influence your practice, and to ensure that you are getting the most out of modern technology.
- Research Methodologies - Application to Advanced Practice (15 credits) - during this module you'll develop your skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Work Based Learning - Negotiated Module (15 credits) - Because we believe that study should be relevant to the job you do, in this module you'll evaluate the service needs of your workplace, considering both their current needs and those in the future. You'll share your findings with either a multi-professional team or to service users.
Your career
Within the NHS there is an increasing demand for sonographers. After completing this course you'll be able to demonstrate your competence to practise and a commitment to learning in this rapidly developing area of imaging. This course could help you to progress in your career and will boost your application for Advanced Practitioner or Consultant posts.
During the negotiated study options, you will fulfill the requirements of your own professional body. For example, we work closely with the College of Emergency Medicine and regional training co-ordinators as a provider of training in emergency ultrasound.
How you'll learn
For both stages you'll learn using a variety of approaches including workbooks and electronic learning. You will also attend a number of strategic study days where you'll be able to talk to your fellow students and staff members and take part in interactive tutorials.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed using a variety of methods including written assignments, case reports, computer based image interpretation and observed clinical assessments.
Start dates
You can start this course in September, January or April.
Fees*
Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.
Course length
You can start this course in September, January or April and you will study part time for two years. The PG Cert stage will take you between nine and 24 months to complete. The PG Dip stage will usually take one year but if you've got a full time ultrasound placement, it may be possible to complete this stage quicker.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need an undergraduate degree with at least a second class honours in a health ...
You'll usually need an undergraduate degree with at least a second class honours in a health related subject, or an equivalent qualification. If you've got appropriate professional qualifications and experience we'll also consider your application.
Standard entry requirements
