MODULE 01
Physics and knobology
How the image forms, probe choice, depth, gain and focus, and the artefacts you need to recognise.
Level 1 course
Core Emergency Ultrasound
One day of hands-on scanning that covers every core point-of-care ultrasound application in the RCEM curriculum.
- Level
- Level 1
- Duration
- 1 day, 09:00 to 17:00
- Fee
- Published with dates
- Next date
- Opening soon
Overview
Confident scanning from day one.
This course gives you the knowledge and the hands-on time to start scanning with confidence. Each module follows the same pattern: a short, focused talk, live demonstration, then supervised scanning on healthy models and simulators.
The content maps to the core point-of-care ultrasound applications in the RCEM 2021 curriculum. You leave with a certificate, a logbook template and a clear plan for collecting supervised scans and gaining sign-off in your own department.
What you will learn
8 modules, one day.
MODULE 02
eFAST
Free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis, pericardial fluid, haemothorax and pneumothorax in the trauma patient.
MODULE 03
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
A systematic scan of the abdominal aorta, measuring it correctly and knowing when the scan is incomplete.
MODULE 04
Echo in life support
Focused echo during cardiac arrest, timed within the ALS algorithm without delaying compressions.
MODULE 05
Shock assessment
A structured approach to the shocked patient, combining heart, lungs, IVC, abdomen and aorta.
MODULE 06
Vascular access
Real-time needle guidance for peripheral and central venous access on high-fidelity phantoms.
MODULE 07
Fascia iliaca block
Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia for hip fractures, practised on phantoms with safety checks.
MODULE 08
Governance and sign-off
Logbooks, image storage, reflections and the RCEM route to entrustment, so your learning continues after the day.
Programme
The day.
- Registration and coffee
- Welcome. Physics, knobology and image optimisation
- Hands-on: probe handling and image optimisation
- eFAST: talk, demonstration and scanning
- Coffee
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: talk and scanning
- Lunch
- Echo in life support, with simulated arrest scenarios
- Shock assessment: integrating the views
- Tea
- Vascular access and fascia iliaca block on phantoms
- Governance, logbooks and the sign-off pathway. Questions
- Close and certificates
Who it is for
- Emergency medicine trainees working towards RCEM ultrasound sign-off
- Acute and internal medicine doctors starting point-of-care ultrasound
- Advanced clinical practitioners, physician associates and GPs working in urgent care
- Consultants and SAS doctors refreshing or formalising their skills
Included
- Small groups at every scanning station
- Healthy volunteer models, simulators and vascular phantoms
- Pre-course reading pack
- Certificate of attendance
- Logbook template and sign-off guide
- Lunch and refreshments
Curriculum
Mapped to RCEM.
The course covers each core point-of-care ultrasound application in the RCEM 2021 curriculum. The table shows the training phase in which RCEM introduces each application and the indicative number of supervised logbook scans before sign-off.
| Application | Introduced in | Indicative scans |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular access | Core training | 5 |
| Fascia iliaca block | Core training | 10 |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Intermediate training | 25 |
| eFAST | Intermediate training | 25 |
| Echo in life support | Intermediate training | 10 |
| Shock assessment | Intermediate to higher training | 25 |
Source: RCEM 2021 curriculum, Appendix 3: PoCUS. Scan numbers are indicative, not fixed targets. Sign-off also requires e-learning or course attendance, reflections and an entrustment decision in your department.
Dates and booking
Choose your date.
New dates opening soon
Register your interest and we will email you first when bookings open, before dates go public.
Paying through your trust or deanery? Request an invoice. Bookings follow our booking terms and cancellation policy.
Questions
Before you book.
Do I need any previous ultrasound experience?
No. The course starts from first principles. If you already scan, the structured approach and supervised practice still strengthen your technique.
Does this course give me RCEM sign-off?
No single course does. Sign-off comes from supervised scans, reflections and assessment in your own department. This course covers the learning element and shows you how to complete the rest.
Who teaches the course?
Emergency medicine consultants and experienced point-of-care ultrasound practitioners, led by the Course Director, Dr Firas Abou-Auda.
Can I use my study leave budget?
We provide an invoice and a certificate of attendance to support your study leave application and appraisal.
Tune in. Gain clarity.
Small groups, consultant faculty and hands-on scanning from the first hour.