This programme is targeted towards:

• Doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology
• Midwives providing antenatal care
• Radiographers who perform obstetric ultrasound
• General practitioners who provide antenatal care and perform ultrasound scans in the community

Course Description

This course equips participants with the necessary skills to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and when to refer patients for a more detailed assessment.

There is a major emphasis on achieving a high level of clinical expertise and participants will gain the majority of their clinical experience in their chosen hospital, under the guidance of a clinical supervisor. Students will be assessed on their clinical competence at the end of each module by their clinical supervisor. Case-based discussions, completed with the clinical supervisor throughout each module will assess understanding of the relevant theory.

All students take the early pregnancy module and the module covering level one scanning in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Students can choose from either a more detailed obstetric ultrasound or gynaecology/fertility ultrasound module. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into the clinical modules. 

Modules

Early Pregnancy Ultrasound

This module offers clinicians and midwives the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the management of early pregnancy. It aims to equip participants with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Fetal Biometry, Liquor and Placenta

This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of fetal biometry, amniotic fluid, placental and cervical assessment. It aims to equip participants with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for a more a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Fetal Wellbeing Ultrasound

This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of fetal wellbeing, including anatomy, growth pattern and Doppler studies. It aims to equip participants with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for a more a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Gynaecological/Fertility Ultrasound

This module offers clinicians the opportunity to develop clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and its role in the assessment of the normal pelvis, pre and postmenopausal, assessment of the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding, assessment of IntraUterine Contraceptive Devices, and ultrasound assessment during follicle tracking and assisted conception. It aims to equip participants with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for a more a more detailed assessment. Technology of ultrasound is incorporated into this clinical module and topics covered will ensure clinicians are competent in selecting appropriate equipment parameters to optimise image acquisition and record optimal representative images. This module is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

The provision of the majority of the lectures through an e-learning structure will allow participants to access lectures at home, at convenient times. There is a major emphasis on participants achieving a high level of expertise in clinical practice and participants will gain the majority of their clinical experience in their chosen hospital setting, which will allow them to negotiate the most suitable arrangements within each individual workplace.

To ensure this is achieved participants must undertake a clinical placement, under the guidance of a named clinical supervisor, and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 250 hours practicing clinical obstetric ultrasound while undertaking this programme.

Entry criteria

• Doctors must be registered with the Irish Medical Council or equivalent. Midwives must be registered with An Bord Altranais or equivalent. Radiographers must have approval to practice Radiography in Ireland or Northern Ireland, or possess approval from an equivalent international body.
• Participants must provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 250 hours practicing clinical obstetric ultrasound.

Prior learning

• It is recommended that participants spend as much time as possible performing clinical ultrasound examinations while undertaking ultrasound modules and their potential to develop high level clinical and academic skills in ultrasound will be maximised by exceeding the minimum clinical hours stated for each module.
• Applicants should be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of this programme. 

Declaration forms

• Declaration of Clinical Placement Module 1 
• Declaration of Clinical Placement Module 2 
• Declaration of Clinical Placement Module 3 
• Declaration of Clinical Placement Module 4 

• International applicants should contact the academic programme director for a full list of entry requirements.
• A list of FAQs for international applicants is available here.

Important dates and information

• The next intake for this course is January 2013.
• Closing date for applications is Friday, December 21st 2012.
• All applicants will be contacted by email within 7 days of close of applications at the latest. 
• Successful applicants will be required to attend an Introductory Study Day on Thursday 24th January 2013.

How to apply

• Click on the www.ucd.ie/apply link and follow the steps outlined. 
• The “Application Type” is Graduate Taught Courses, and “Admission Term” is Jan 2012/2013.
• Fill in your personal details, and when asked about the “Programme Choice”, select Obstetric Ultrasound Grad Cert Jan PT X530. 
• Next, enter details of any third level institutions you have attended and professional qualifications you have attained in the “Academic Background” section. 
• Having paid the application fee and received an e-mail receipt, you must continue to complete the application process by pressing “submit”. An e-mail confirming successful application will be sent to you within 24 hours.
• A detailed, step-by step guide to the online application process is available here.
• You can track the status of your documentation online. Log in to your account & click on your submitted application. This will bring up an application summary.  The application requirements are listed at the end of the summary.
• If you have any problems or queries with the online application process, email: applications@ucd.ie or telephone: + 353 1 716 1142 or 1476.

Programme Administrator

Academic Programme Coordinator

• For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website.
• Fees are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.