Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound*(PGCert)

About the Course

The Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound at Liverpool Hope University is designed for practicing healthcare professionals and practitioners, with a relevant first degree, who wish to extend their scope of clinical practice to include musculoskeletal ultrasound. The PGCert MSK ultrasound has increasingly become a popular degree/CPD pathway for physiotherapists, MSK nurses, sonographers and radiographers, sports medicine clinicians, sports therapists, medical doctors and researchers.

Successful completion of the PGCert MSK Ultrasound will provide graduates with a formal ultrasound qualification to practice musculoskeletal ultrasound safely and effectively.

This course sits within our School of Health and Sport Sciences providing students with an exciting opportunity to join a community with a particular focus on sports and exercise science, sports rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal health.

Course Aims

- An understanding and clinical expertise in the theory and application of MSK Ultrasound and to prepare students for a career in clinical ultrasound

- Essential clinical ultrasound skills for enhancing clinical intervention and diagnosis in MSK health and pathology

- An enhanced knowledge of adult human upper and lower limb anatomy for specific interventional ultrasound techniques.

- A good understanding of MSK Ultrasound including instrumentation and applications and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights in your areas of professional practice.

- The ability to reflect on your professional practice and support your professional development as an independent practitioner.

- Transferable skills expected of a postgraduate student in health care with the ability to recognise the interface between academic and applied clinical working, and to adapt to rapidly changing technological frameworks.

 *Subject to CASE (Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education) Accreditation is being sought.

Curriculum Overview

This Postgraduate Certificate (60 Level 7 Credits) comprises two x 30 credit modules. Each module includes six teaching days including one day of assessment.

Modules

Module 1 (30 credits): Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: The Science, Technology, and Applications

This 30-credit module aims to develop your knowledge of the theoretical principles that underpin ultrasound imaging. The science related to ultrasound generation and image production will be explored in order for students to be able to link these theoretical elements to practical considerations. You will become familiar with common ultrasound artefacts and their impact on ultrasound imaging. You will understand the key factors that influence equipment choice alongside the responsibilities for equipment maintenance and other quality assurance processes.

The module will also address key principles and core foundation topics such as science and technology including physics, knobology, image optimisation as well as an overview of normal musculoskeletal anatomy (upper and lower extremity) through taught lectures, practical sessions, and online material.

Module 2 (30 Credits): Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Professional Practice

The module aims to develop your ability to recognise pathologies of upper and lower extremities on imaging, report it accurately while also developing an understanding of the evidence base surrounding the impact that those sonographic findings have in planning patient management pathways. This module aims to develop your knowledge relating to the clinical application of musculoskeletal ultrasound. You will be introduced to musculoskeletal scanning including standard scanning protocols, which in turn will allow you to explore the modality’s applications in contemporary healthcare.

You will be required to have submitted a mentor agreement form to be enrolled into this module. This will provide you with the opportunity to undertake supervised training with an approved mentor and develop your competency in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. At the end of this module you will have developed a clinical portfolio/logbook of 250 scans with 100 scans performed under direct supervision of your mentor in clinical practice required for the assessment.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will require a recognised professional qualification in a relevant and acknowledged subject and be a member of an appropriate professional body including: General Medical Council (GMC), The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), The Nursing, and Midwifery Council (NMC), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and Society of Vascular Technology (SVT). Or equivalent overseas professional qualification.

Applicants should be able to provide evidence of their potential to study at M-level by producing evidence of either: a UK Bachelor’s degree to a 2:1 classification or an overseas equivalent in a relevant subject.

Applicants will be required to provide evidence that an appropriate clinical Mentor has been identified for Module 2 in support of the work-based clinical placement and patient case load for approximately of 15 hours per week, to enable completion of clinical learning requirements.

Before being accepted onto the course and depending on submitted documents, some applicants may be interviewed.

Overseas students can apply only if they are based in the UK and hold an appropriate professional registration.

English language requirements for international UK-Based students: IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 writing, 6.5 listening, 6.5 reading, 6.5 speaking).

Demonstrable DBS checks and immunisations.

International Entry Requirements

This course is not open to international students.

Teaching and Research

The course will be taught at the School of Health and Sport Sciences’ clinical teaching rooms (Hope Park Campus) by clinical experts in the field using an appropriate range of equipment. To support students involved in professional career and practice, the teaching dates will be arranged in advance to allow timely planning.

The first module will involve six days teaching, practical scanning and assessment (5 teaching +1 assessment). A course book will be provided to all students as well as access to all lectures through the University’s Virtual Learning Platform (Moodle). You will undertake a practical and a written examination at the end of the first module.

The second module, involving another six days (5 teaching +1 assessment), aims to develop and assess your knowledge in relation to clinical application of MSK ultrasound. In order to register on this module, you will be required to identify an approved mentor and compile a sufficient number of scans (250 scans including 100 supervised scans) in line with the CASE accreditation requirement* and as part of the assessment portfolio. You will undertake a practical examination and submit a portfolio at the end of the second module.

UK/EU Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for Home students for 2022/23: £2,000

Graduate 600*: £1,800

*Graduate 600 - Reduced Fee for students who have obtained a 2.1 or 1st class degree within the last 3 years.

Early Bird Discount**: £1,600

** Applications must be received by 1st October 2022 to be eligible for the Early Bird Discount. 

Please note: this course is open to UK students only.

Students may incur additional costs, indicative costs are below but will vary for each student:

• Travel and accommodation costs to attend self-arranged placement £100-£500
• Stationery £20-£50
• Uniforms £50 (while on placement)
• Books and Journals £50-£100

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

Careers

The course is designed to enhance the employability of health professionals who wish to pursue a career in medical/MSK ultrasound. Prior to enrolling on the course, students are required to arrange a clinical placement to gain practical skills. After completing the course, graduates will be equipped with specialist knowledge and will be able to work in a range of specialist, leadership, and educational roles within private and NHS settings. Graduates will also be able to continue onto further study and progress into a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Master of Science (MSc).