Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound (Specialisation)

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound is a professional coursework qualification which enables graduates, or advanced level students, of science or health / medical courses to extend their field of expertise to include the production and interpretation of focused, point of care, diagnostic ultrasound images.

The course is divided into clinical specialisations through the use of majors which align with the requirements of clinical practitioners in different fields.

The Emergency Focused Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) major is designed for emergency and critical care practitioners.

The Basic Soft Tissue Ultrasound Imaging (BSTUI) major would be of interest to any practitioners using ultrasound on soft tissue, particularly muscles.

There is also a general major where you can choose any units and create a course to suit your individual needs.

Some units include compulsory residential schools on a university campus to facilitate ultrasound skill acquisition and image interpretation training.

This course is not a pathway to becoming an accredited medical sonographer or echocardiographer.

Core Basic Soft Tissue Ultrasound Imaging Major Emergency Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) Major General Point of Care Ultrasound Major

Course Structure

--> In order to complete this course, you must:

1. Complete the core structure
2. Complete 1 major

Core Structure

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Students must complete the unit Science and Instrumentation in Ultrasound in all majors as it provides foundation knowledge and skill for subsequent units.

All students must complete this core unit prior to, or contiguous with, units within their chosen major.

Course Structure

--> In order to complete this course, you must:

1. Complete the core structure
2. Complete 1 major

Basic Soft Tissue Ultrasound Imaging Major

--> View Full Course Structure -->

This major provides the opportunity for health or science graduates, and advanced level students, to acquire knowledge and skills in the use of ultrasound as a focused diagnostic tool at the point of care. It will be of value to healthcare professionals engaged in, or studying towards, managing soft tissue injury and pathology. You will develop knowledge of musculoskeletal ultrasound with an emphasis on interpretation of anatomical structures, biomechanics and pathology. You will learn transducer manipulation techniques and skills to optimise ultrasound images for documentation. You will interpret the sonographic appearance of pathology to produce a differential diagnosis and report. You will differentiate the ultrasound appearance of musculoskeletal pathology from that of other body structures. You will evaluate clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings to make appropriate management decisions according to the clinical situation, including the requirement for a comprehensive scan and expert input as appropriate. Some units include residential schools to enable you to gain the skills of transducer manipulation, ultrasound scanning techniques, ultrasound acquisition, optimisation and image interpretation.

Course Structure

--> In order to complete this course, you must:

1. Complete the core structure
2. Complete 1 major

Emergency Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) Major

--> View Full Course Structure -->

This major provides the opportunity for health or science graduates, and advanced level students, to acquire knowledge and skills in the use of ultrasound as a focused diagnostic tool at the point of care. It will be of value to health professionals engaged in managing emergency situations, assisting in bedside care, diagnosing cardiac pathology and guiding interventional procedures. You will develop knowledge of ultrasound with emphasis on interpretation of a range of anatomical structures and ruling out pathology. You will learn transducer manipulation techniques and skills to optimise ultrasound images for documentation. You will learn to use point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) dynamically to guide treatments and procedures and interpret the sonographic appearance of pathology. You will evaluate clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings to make appropriate management decisions according to the clinical situation, including the requirements for a comprehensive scan and expert input as appropriate. Some unit assessments include logbooks and case studies so clinical access to ultrasound and appropriately qualified supervisors is required to complete this major. Units include residential schools to enable you to gain the skills of transducer manipulation, ultrasound scanning techniques, ultrasound acquisition, optimisation and image interpretation.

Course Structure

--> In order to complete this course, you must:

1. Complete the core structure
2. Complete 1 major

General Point of Care Ultrasound Major

--> View Full Course Structure -->

This major provides the opportunity for health or science graduates, and advanced level students, to acquire skills and knowledge in the general use of ultrasound as a focused diagnostic tool at the point of care. It will be of value to those health professionals engaged in, or studying towards, managing clinical situations and providing bedside care in a range of clinical contexts. You can choose from a range of unit options to match your clinical use of ultrasound. You will develop knowledge of ultrasound with emphasis on interpretation of anatomical structures and ruling out pathology. You will learn transducer manipulation techniques and skills to optimise ultrasound images for documentation. You will learn to use point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) dynamically. You will interpret the sonographic appearance of pathology. You will evaluate clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings to make appropriate decisions according to the clinical situation, including the requirements for a comprehensive scan and expert input as appropriate. Some units include residential schools to enable you to gain the skills of transducer manipulation, ultrasound scanning techniques, ultrasound acquisition, optimisation and image interpretation.

What do I need to start?

Entry Scores

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have a completed Bachelor Degree (or equivalent), in any science or health-related area, where the medium of instruction is English.

OR

Have successfully completed at a minimum the following study at Bachelor Degree level in any science or health-related area (where the medium of instruction is English):

One year full time equivalent study in first year level units, AND

One year full time equivalent study in second year level or third year level units (in combination if required).

Security Requirements

No information available at this time

Health Requirements

No information available at this time

Assumed Knowledge

N/A

Fees and Charges

• Domestic Fees -->

Core Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes

Basic Soft Tissue Ultrasound Imaging Learning Outcomes

• 1.
• Generate focused point of care diagnostic ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system and related structures
• 2.
• Interpret ultrasound findings relevant to the musculoskeletal system and related structures to provide a differential diagnosis including reference to safe practice and the diagnostic limitations of ultrasound
• 3.
• Recommend appropriate action based on the clinical situation, clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings.

Emergency Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) Learning Outcomes

• 1.
• Generate focused point of care diagnostic ultrasound images of body systems relevant to emergency situations, bedside care and interventional guidance
• 2.
• Interpret ultrasound findings relevant to emergency situations, bedside care and interventional guidance to provide a differential diagnosis including reference to safe practice and the diagnostic limitations of ultrasound
• 3.
• Recommend action based on the clinical situation, clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings.

General Point of Care Ultrasound Learning Outcomes

• 1.
• Generate focused point of care diagnostic ultrasound images of body systems specific to the bedside use of ultrasound
• 2.
• Interpret ultrasound findings of body systems specific to the bedside use of ultrasound to provide a differential diagnosis including reference to safe practice and the diagnostic limitations of ultrasound
• 3.
• Recommend appropriate action based on the clinical situation, clinical knowledge and ultrasound findings.