Fertility Ultrasound

Course Features
Confers competence to practice ultrasound in the management of the patient with infertility.
Provides both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.
Facilitates busy professionals by delivering the majority of lectures through an e-learning structure.

The programme will provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience, and will cover all the main aspects of pelvic, fertility and early pregnancy ultrasound (up to 8 completed weeks of gestation).

Topics covered include image optimization, anatomy, physiology and pathology, fertility management focussing on the role of ultrasound in the investigation of fertility problems, and monitoring of women undergoing treatment, protocols and guidelines, communication, ethical and social implications. Ultrasound assessment of both normal and abnormal early pregnancy is also included.

Modules

Clinical Practice of Fertility Ultrasound
This module offers students the opportunity to develop high level clinical and academic knowledge of ultrasound and the management of the infertile patient. It aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations, perform scans safely and competently, report on scan findings in the clinical context and know when to refer patients for more detailed assessment. It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience.

Students registered for this module are offered the opportunity to study the following aspects of fertility ultrasound: the fundamental principles of ultrasound examinations in the management of fertility: ultrasound assessment of the normal female pelvis and recognition of possible uterine and ovarian pathology; ultrasound assessment and diagnosis during follicle tracking; ultrasound assessment and role in the management of assisted conception; ultrasound diagnosis of normal early pregnancy; ultrasound diagnosis of early embryonic demise; and ultrasound diagnosis of a suspected ectopic pregnancy. Topics covered will stimulate students to investigate issues from a wide variety of perspectives including: communication; clinical history and clinical investigations; protocols and guidelines; ethical and social implications

Technology of Fertility Ultrasound
This technology of ultrasound module covers all the main technological aspects of pelvic, fertility and early pregnancy ultrasound. The module aims to equip practitioners working with infertile patients with a level of competence in ultrasound scanning that will enable them to understand the indications for ultrasound examinations and perform scans safely and competently, in a manner that will ensure optimal image acquisition.

It is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a significant emphasis on clinical experience. Students registered for this module are offered the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the following topics: Ultrasound equipment controls; Emission and reception; Reflection and refraction, Attenuation; Artefacts in ultrasound imaging; Recording of ultrasound images and the Safety of ultrasound.

Eligibility criteria
Applicants should be qualified Nurses or Midwives registered with An Bord Altranais or the UKCC; or Radiographers with the approval to practice Radiography in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applicants should have completed one year of general experience in Nursing, Midwifery or Radiography.

Doctors must be registered with the Irish Medical Council.

Other applicants may be considered on individual merit but must be actively scanning in a fertility clinic in order to undertake the programme.

Participants must be actively scanning in a fertility clinic and will be expected to attain a high-level of experience in clinical practice. To ensure this is achieved, students must arrange a clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 300 hours practicing ultrasound in a fertility clinic while undertaking this programme.

Prior learning
Students must have completed twelve months working in a fertility clinic, and within that timeframe have had a minimum of three months clinical ultrasound experience, prior to commencing this programme, and provide documented evidence of this.
Applicants should be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of the programme.

International applicants should contact the academic programme director for a full list of entry requirements.
Information on studying at UCD as international students is available online.

How to apply
Application closing date is 5th January 2024.
Compulsory Study days
1st study day 11th January
2nd study day the 23rd of February
3rd study day 12th of April and
final study day 10th of May.
Click on the www.ucd.ie/apply link and follow the steps outlined.
The programme is a Graduate Taught Programme (code: X471)

Should you have any difficulties in processing your application, please contact the course administrator (details below).
Both this Grad Cert Fertility Ultrasound Clinical Experience Declaration must be completed and attached to the application.

8 months part-time

Irish/EU Applicants
€3,300
Non-EU Applicants
€7,900

Next Intake: January annually.