Course outline
Course summary
The academic components for this course shares one module and in addition some shared learning with the medical imaging (ultrasound) programme. The medical imaging (ultrasound) programme is taught by a team of experienced ultrasound practitioners both in the university and clinical setting.
Top of the range ultrasound equipment and test phantoms, as well as simulated practice facilities (Medaphor Scan Trainer), are available at the university to prepare you for your time on clinical placement. We currently have one of the largest Medaphor ultrasound simulation labs in the world, which is an excellent advantage. Some of the formative clinical assessments will be performed using the Scan Trainer technology, ensuring you are confident in a range of basic skills. It is envisaged that the use of simulated practice will be developed further, with possible opportunities to develop ‘cloud based’ shared/distance learning activity with other universities and practitioners. The ultrasound machines and practice simulators are housed in a purpose built skills hub, where you will be able to consolidate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills during the academic blocks at university, ensuring you are adequately prepared with the appropriate skills.
You will be supported in developing your skills to become an autonomous practitioner, who is able to undertake advanced practice safely, by ensuring clinical competencies achieved meet national standards in your area of practice. You will have the opportunity for inter‐professional learning, during clinical placement through the sharing of best clinical practice. The development of critical, analytical and evaluative skills and incorporating these into the clinical environment, encouraging evidence based practice will be a fundamental part of the course.
Many clinical placement sites have been working with the university for several years, supporting students through the traditional part‐time route for sonographers, and have friendly, supportive and experienced staff to help you develop your clinical skills whilst maintaining strong links with the university. The principal academic staff members on the programme team are university lecturers as well as still practicing ultrasound clinically in the NHS or private sectors.
The programme is also supported by colleagues from the wider medical science programmes at the University of Cumbria. The programme is supported by a wide range of locally and nationally respected ultrasound professionals and physicists who act as honorary lecturers of the University of Cumbria and provide advice on the programme content and contribute to the programme delivery. The programme team are respected nationally in their field and are currently research active. The team are actively involved in the development and maintenance of ultrasound education at a national level.
Modules
Programme Specification
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Timetables
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
1st or 2nd class honours degree.
Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.
More information about levels and credits.
Selection Criteria
You will need to have at least 12 months’ equivalent full‐time post registration clinical experience, and you will need support from a clinical ultrasound department and access to a suitable clinical placement in such a department for the duration of the course. It is your responsibility to ensure a suitable clinical placement is organised, prior to, and for the duration of this award, and the university regretfully cannot assist you in finding or securing a clinical placement for this award, at any time during your time on the course.
You must have access to a suitable clinical mentor and suitable patient case load for a minimum of 15 hours per week. If a student placement is terminated for any reason, the university cannot assist you in finding or securing another placement. If a suitable clinical placement cannot be found in these circumstances, you will be required to withdraw from the course. Applicants should be eligible for registration by their respective UK professional or regulatory body e.g. Health & Care Professions Council
(HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), Society of Vascular Technologist (SVT). You will also need to provide one reference in support of your application, from the department offering a clinical placement.
You will be required to pass an element of pre‐course assessment in the department sponsoring you. It is the sponsoring department’s responsibility to facilitate this assessment and this will be carried out to ensure that you show an aptitude for Ultrasonography. You will need to undertake a preliminary practical assessment to demonstrate the relevant psychomotor skills such as hand‐eye co‐ordination, pattern recognition and spatial awareness. The assessment will be of an informal nature, carried out by experienced practitioners in your clinical placement, who will then provide a written reference of your suitability.
Before being accepted onto the course, you will be interviewed, usually by telephone. Interviewers from the course team will, amongst other attributes, be looking for a commitment to further study, an understanding of content and standard of the course and interpersonal skills. As part of the recruitment process, you may be assessed on your values using the core requirements set out in the Value Based Recruitment (VBR) Behaviour Framework as outlined in the NHS Constitution.
