The Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) for Pain and Bleeding in Early Pregnancy Module, delivered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, is designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge, technical skills, and clinical reasoning required to use ultrasound confidently in time-critical and often high-stakes presentations.

You will explore how PoCUS can support early diagnosis and decision-making, complement other imaging modalities, and improve patient care within your scope of practice. By developing practical scanning skills alongside a structured approach to image interpretation, this module supports clinicians in recognising normal and abnormal appearances, understanding common early pregnancy pathologies, and integrating PoCUS findings into appropriate management pathways.

This micro-credential can be taken as a standalone course or as part of our PgCert in PoCUS programme. Click here to learn more about the other micro-credentials we offer.

Next Dates: 22nd January – 26th March 2026

Fee: £600

What is a micro-credential?

A micro-credential is a short, specific course of study, with an assessment which earns credits. The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme is a national UK university scheme to allow credits to be earned and accumulated. For example, a typical postgraduate diploma is 120 credits, a typical PgCert is 60 credits. Each of our micro-credentials earns 10 credits, with each credit representing the notional equivalent of 10 hours of study.

What is the commitment?

Each micro-credential requires 100 hours of notional study, most of which will be self-directed learning. However, for micro-credentials with a practical component, you must also complete a minimum of 21 hours of in-person, hands-on training at our London-based training centre if this is your first micro-credential with us, or 15 hours if you have already attended one of our other micro-credentials. You can enrol on up to two micro-credentials per term.

What are the entry requirements?

• Professional Registration: Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), or Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Educational Background: A relevant first degree, such as MB BS (or equivalent), or a bachelor’s degree, ideally at first-class or 2:1 level.
• Clinical Experience: Current employment in an appropriate role within the NHS or a UK-based private healthcare provider, with evidence of basic ultrasound experience.

What does the course cover?

• Medico-legal aspects – including scope of competence and training requirements
• The value and use of departmental protocols
• Indications for ultrasound in early pregnancy assessment
• Patient information and preparation
• Informed consent in early pregnancy PoCUS
• Relationship between ultrasound and other imaging modalities
• Image acquisition and optimisation for abdominal and pelvic views
• Scanning techniques and artefact recognition
• Identification of normal and abnormal ultrasound appearances of the uterus, adnexa, and pelvic cavity in early pregnancy
• Interpretation of findings in the context of clinical problems such as:
  • Suspected miscarriage
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Adnexal or pelvic pain
  • Abdominal free fluid
• Introduction to transvaginal ultrasound: indications, technique, and interpretation

How is the course taught?

You will have access to video materials covering the theoretical content. Didactic teaching will be combined with practical face-to-face sessions, where you will use a range of ultrasound systems to develop scanning skills on normal volunteers. Additionally, simulators will be used to practise imaging and identifying various abnormalities.

You must complete the required number of in-person practical training hours for this module—21 hours if it’s your first, or 15 hours if you’ve previously completed another module—before your assessment day.

How will your skills of PoCUS for Pain and Bleeding in Early Pregnancy?

The award of the micro-credential will require successful completion of both written and practical assessments. The knowledge content will be assessed through a multiple-choice examination. Practical skills will be assessed through obtaining optimal images on normal subjects and through obtaining optimal images of simulated pathology on simulators.

Schedule

The in-person training sessions will run from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Attendance on the first and last days (assessment day) is mandatory. Attendance on the second day is highly recommended to ensure you gain the foundational knowledge essential for further training. The remaining days are flexible. However, you must complete at least 21 hours of in-person training at our London-based centre for your first module, and 15 hours for each subsequent module, before the assessment day.

Spring Term 2026 Schedule:

22nd–23rd January 2026 – core training days (22nd January is mandatory if this is your first module or micro-credential)
5th–6th February 2026 – training days
26th–27th February 2026 – training days
12th–13th March 2026 – training days
26th March 2026 – assessment day (mandatory to attend)

An additional training day may be added if needed.

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