Program Overview

Professional/Short Course Negotiated Specialist Ultrasound Practice

The aim of this 15 credit module, Negotiated Specialist Ultrasound Practice, is to develop a safe and competent practitioner equipped with knowledge, critical understanding, and professional skills for participation in an effective Ultrasound Imaging service.

About

The nature of the module enables you to negotiate and learn with significant and relevant others as they see fit. Clinical assessment areas will also be defined as a result of discussions, and subject-specific competencies must be demonstrated in all areas. Potential areas for this level 7 (Masters level) module must be negotiated with the Module Leader, and could include subspecialty in areas such as:

• Early Pregnancy (EPAC)
• First-trimester (dating)
• Anomaly scanning (second trimester)
• Growth scans (third trimester)
• Fetal echocardiography
• Doppler in Obstetrics (Fetal Doppler)

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• apply theoretical knowledge to the practice of medical ultrasound within the area of chosen specialty
• utilise relevant knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to solve complex problems
• demonstrate a critical knowledge of the legal, ethical, and organisational aspects of current ultrasound practice in the chosen area of ultrasound specialty
• critically evaluate contemporary research concerning the aetiology and management of a range of pathologies in order to inform practice, and implement new approaches where appropriate
• critically evaluate the contribution that ultrasound makes, compared to other diagnostic tests/procedures, in order to derive a differential diagnosis
• perform a comprehensive range of medical ultrasound procedures within the chosen area of ultrasound specialty, both skilfully and safely, demonstrating the skills required of a competent practitioner, and an ability to adapt effectively to new or unusual situations
• justify the contribution of the role of medical ultrasound to the overall management of the patient
• make evaluative judgements on the outcomes of ultrasound examination and report the findings accordingly
• make an active contribution within a multidisciplinary professional community by reflecting upon one's own practice and the practice of others
• engage in effective communication with clients, their families, and healthcare professionals, and make appropriate referrals as required

Entry Requirements

You must be working in a relevant area of ultrasound practice, and have either completed or be enrolled on a relevant physics or the Fundamentals of Ultrasound Technology module, by agreement with the module leader.

Careers / Further Study

This module can contribute towards the PGCert Health and Social Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and the Professional Development Awards. This course can contribute towards the MSc Medical Ultrasound.

Structure

Content

The content of the module will be defined following discussions between the module leader, you, and the work-based manager, and will result in a Learning Contract being drawn up. This contract will specify exactly how the module learning outcomes will be achieved. Clinical assessment areas will also be defined as a result of discussions, and subject-specific competencies must be demonstrated in all areas.

• Subject specific topics: Normal anatomy and physiology; normal variants; normal ultrasound appearances; pathological processes; abnormal ultrasound appearances; scanning techniques; use in health screening; subject specific variations
• Legal and Ethical issues: General legal and ethical principles relating to the ultrasound practice of the area of subject specialty
• Professional and employment issues relating to the area of Negotiated Specialist Ultrasound practice: These subjects will be covered as joint learning sessions with students studying other specialty areas, and will include professionalism and professionalisation, codes of conduct, occupational standards, departmental protocols, continuing professional development, clinical governance, Work-related upper limb disorders, Ergonomics
• Communication Skills: Importance of effective communication, listening skills, verbal
  on-verbal communication, and self-awareness
• Reporting of Ultrasound Images: Principles of verbal and written reporting, approaches to decision making, record keeping Influences of information technology on database development and use of information
• Group Working: Group building and team dynamics (theories of collaboration), interprofessional working, power and decision-making, role boundaries, ground rules
• Project Management Skills: Contract learning, negotiation, time management, and management of change, problem solving
• Enquiry Based Learning: Enquiry Based Learning involves working in small groups with a facilitator and uses triggers to provide the starting point for discussion and the acquisition of knowledge

Learning and Teaching

• Scheduled learning constitutes a minimum of 28 hours but will vary according to the subject specialty chosen to study
• Independent learning includes a minimum of 122 hours but will vary according to the subject specialty chosen to study
• Placement learning: clinical practice placements are negotiated and organised by you, but should include a minimum of 15 hours a week of supervised scanning for the duration of the module
• A variety of approaches will be used which may include work-based; action and problem-centred learning; enquiry-based learning; supervised clinical practice; negotiated learning contracts; facilitated learning in the workplace; online learning; key lectures; debates; seminars; student presentations

Assessment

• Completion of a Clinical Portfolio to include summative clinical assessments
• Structured Oral and Practical Examination (SOPE)