Obstetric Ultrasound (Focused Courses) - 40 credits - Module
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
The course is aimed at qualified healthcare professionals –such as radiographers, midwives, nurses and doctors – who want to extend their field of expertise into the production and interpretation of diagnostic obstetric ultrasound images. Ultrasound is regarded as a complementary imaging procedure undertaken in the majority of modern diagnostic Imaging or X-ray departments....
- Level Short Course
- Study mode Short Course
- Location City South
- Award Module
- Start date February 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
The course is aimed at qualified healthcare professionals –such as radiographers, midwives, nurses and doctors – who want to extend their field of expertise into the production and interpretation of diagnostic obstetric ultrasound images.
Ultrasound is regarded as a complementary imaging procedure undertaken in the majority of modern diagnostic Imaging or X-ray departments. Sonographers scan patients/clients with a variety of diseases and conditions and, under written protocols, report on the images produced.
You’ll be taught by practising sonographers who are up to date with current practice.
The course will further enhance your skills professionally, personally and practically
If you are dyslexic, have a specific learning difference or a disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
These courses take between 6 months and 15 months to complete depending upon the amount of time spent in clinical placement each week.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- The aim of the course is to provide qualified practitioners with a high level of specialist ultrasound knowledge and clinical experience. The course also develops investigative and analytical skills in order to help you to become a highly competent ultrasound practitioner
- Although typically aimed at radiographers, midwives, doctors and nurses, anyone with a health based or science degree and a clinical placement may apply
- In addition, the course aims to develop interpersonal skills so that you become a highly effective communicator within the context of medical ultrasound
- The course teaching team are all practising sonographers and are therefore up to date with current practice. Innovative methods of teaching and learning are embedded in the academic programme. These include: audio and video lectures, online learning and the use of an ultrasound simulator for learning scanning techniques and recognising pathology
- You will receive a high level of support from the course team. Lectures are delivered to small groups, we have an open door policy and always answer emails and return phone calls. Expect to experience a spectrum of academic studies that you can use to support your clinical and professional development
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Self Funded
Pathway: Early Pregnancy Ultrasound
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
- £903 per 20 credit module
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Self Funded
Pathway: Transabdominal First Trimester Scanning
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
-
TBC
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Self Funded
Pathway: Ultrasound for Fertility
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
-
TBC
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Early Pregnancy Ultrasound
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
-
TBC
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Transabdominal First Trimester Scanning
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
-
TBC
Award: Module
Starting: Feb 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Ultrasound for Fertility
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- Part-time over 8 months
-
TBC
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Entry requirements
| Essential |
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You will normally be expected to hold either a first degree lower second class (2.2) or above, or an equivalent professional qualification. |
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The majority of applicants will be midwives, radiographers and nurses. However we will consider applicants with health based or science degrees providing that they are able to obtain a clinical placement. |
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You must ensure that you have a satisfactory clinical placement where you can obtain a minimum of 160 hours of supervised ‘hands on’ clinical ultrasound experience - this is equivalent to 22 days over a 6-15 month period. |
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You must complete the ultrasound clinical placement form when you apply, unfortunately we cannot consider your application without your proof of placement. |
Course in Depth
Level 7
The “Transabdominal First Trimester Screening” module aims to prepare you for a career using medical ultrasound, where you are continually seeking to improve yourself, the patient experience and your own diagnostic expertise. This module will combine the theoretical and clinical skills in performing first trimester screening ultrasound examinations that you develop throughout the academic programme, in order to become a competent ultrasound practitioner.
The “Early Pregnancy Ultrasound” module aims to prepare you for a career using medical ultrasound, where you are continually seeking to improve yourself, the patient experience and your own diagnostic expertise. This module will combine the theoretical and clinical skills in early pregnancy ultrasound that enable you to become a competent ultrasound practitioner.
The “Ultrasound for Fertility” module aims to prepare you for a career using medical ultrasound, where you are continually seeking to improve yourself, the patient experience and your own diagnostic expertise. This module will combine the theoretical and clinical skills in fertility ultrasound that enable you to become a competent ultrasound practitioner.
Course Structure
During these part-time courses you are required to undertake a minimum of 160 hours of 'hands on' clinical ultrasound training. This is normally at your own hospital. You will also need to allow approximately 100 hours for study and preparation for assessments.
Course Outcome
- To equip the experienced professional with the skills necessary to undertake obstetric ultrasound examinations with a high level of competency.
- To develop the academic and clinical expertise necessary to interpret ultrasound images, take responsibility for clinical decisions and counsel patients.
- To develop the academic skills necessary to evaluate and reflect upon the role of ultrasound in the management of pregnancy.
Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE)
The PG Cert / PG Dip / MSc Medical Ultrasound and Obstetric Ultrasound (Focused Courses) are accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).
Facilities & Staff
We have invested £340 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
Mock Wards
These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four to six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.
These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.
The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites
The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.
These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.
Home Environment Room
This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.
Assisted Living Space
This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.
Assisted Kitchen
This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.
Physiotherapy Room
This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.
Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite
Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.
Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite
These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.
VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training
This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.
Radiotherapy
This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.
Telehealth Room
This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with fiv small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Imaging Academy
This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the Midlands Imaging Academy Hub, funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.
Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room
Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.
Our staff
Zoe Hunt
Senior Lecturer in Medical Ultrasound
Zoe is a member of the BCU Alumni, as she completed her BSC (Hons) radiography in 2007 since then she has worked at a local NHS trust working her way up to a senior radiographer and then an advanced practitioner in ultrasound. Zoe still works two days per week clinical alongside the university role at a local NHS trust where she scans obstetrics,...
More about ZoeEnquiries
Course enquiries
For all course enquiries please contact the course leader, Zoe Hunt on: