Postgraduate study in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

You can study this specialisation in the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences in POCUS.

Develop advanced skills to support patient diagnosis, care and clinical decision-making in acute healthcare settings. Areas of study include:

• Ultrasound physics
• Image acquisition and interpretation
• Scanning of specific body regions
• Ultrasound-guided procedures

The programme also builds reflective practice skills, enabling you to apply POCUS techniques safely, effectively and within professional and regulatory frameworks.

Students are expected to be practising clinicians and are therefore likely to study part-time.

The introductory course, POCUS 701 is compulsory as it contains the fundamentals of ultrasound physics and fundamentals of ultrasound. There are four-15-point courses and each course will cover specific content:

• POCUS 701 Introduction to POCUS, EFAST and Basic Echo (15 points)
• POCUS 702 Organs (15 points)
• POCUS 703 Soft Tissues (incl ocular), Bone, and Vascular Procedures (15 points)
• POCUS 704 Obstetric and Paediatric (15 points)

To gain admission to the PGCertHSc(POCUS) a student must:

• Have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant medical, nursing or health-sciences related discipline.
  and 
• Have relevant skills or knowledge acquired through appropriate work or professional experience, for example doctors and nurse practitioners working in acute care settings.

There is currently strong demand for POCUS imaging. Students who successfully complete the requirements of this programme, including all clinical competency assessments, will be equipped to contribute to patient diagnosis, care and management using POCUS. Graduates will also be able to gain recognition by their employer to practise in POCUS and, where applicable, recognition from their relevant regulatory body.

While the programme requires candidates to be employed in an appropriate clinical role during training, the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

For further information and advice, please contact your nearest Student Hub.