DA Medical Ultrasound

This is the profession specific page for apprentices joining the Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) Medical Ultrasound course. This page will give you more information about preparing for your role as a Sonographer specifically.  

Course calendar

This the for March 25 starters Course Calendar. On here you will be able to see when you have teaching blocks, placement blocks and when you are back on the job with your employer.

This is the Course Calendar for apprentices that started in March 2024 (Level 5). On here you will be able to see when you have teaching blocks, placement blocks and when you are back on the job with your employer.

This is the Course Calendar for apprentices that started in March 2023 (Level 6) On here you will be able to see when you have teaching blocks, placement blocks and when you are back on the job with your employer.

Induction information with times and rooms will be sent nearer the start date. Once you have enrolled you will receive an online teaching and assessment calendar

Learning and teaching

The Medical Ultrasound apprenticeship is a blended learning course which means that you receive a mixture of online live (taught) sessions, online activities (non-taught) and face-to-face on campus taught sessions. These can be a mixture of lectures, seminars and practicals.

You can wear any clothing for online sessions, but professional 'netiquette' is expected. This requires that cameras are switched on during sessions (where appropriate) to encourage active participation and engagement.

Professional Registration

Please be aware that as sonographer is not currently a protected title in the UK, you will not be eligible to be register with the HCPC, although it is hoped that this will become a possibility in the future.

For this reason, employment may not be possible in certain NHS trusts and some private sector organisations, although many organisations already employ sonographers from non-traditional backgrounds. Graduates will be eligible to join the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Useful Activities to complete/observe before starting the course

• Shadowing Experienced Sonographers: Spend time observing experienced sonographers to understand the workflow, patient interaction, and various types of examinations performed.
  
  

• Familiarizing with Equipment: how to turn the equipment on and off. What different types of transducers are there? what areas of the body might you scan with different transducers.
  
  

• Understanding Protocols and Procedures: Start to investigate the standard protocols and procedures followed in the department, including patient preparation, positioning, and the types of scans performed. What questions do sonographers ask their patients before, during and after the examination.
  
  

• Practicing Basic Scanning Techniques: If possible, practice basic scanning techniques on phantoms or models to get a feel for handling the transducer and producing clear images.
  
  

• Learning Medical Terminology: Familiarise yourself with common medical terminology used in sonography to better understand reports and communicate effectively with colleagues.