Course Overview

Domain
Health and Social Sciences
Format
Modular Certification Course
Duration
3+ months
Fee Subsidy
Up to 90% SF Funding
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Updated: July 2024

This module has an updated learning pathway that can now be stacked towards the Graduate Certificate in Medical Sonography (GCert MS). The GCert MS is also stackable towards SIT’s Master of Health Sciences.

 

Ultrasound plays a crucial role in the evaluation and management of patients with hepatobiliary and kidney diseases.

The module is introduced in response to the industry demand and government healthcare policy in expanding capacity in skills upgrading of the current healthcare workforce.

It is designed for ultrasound practitioners such as radiographers or sonographers who wish to pursue a formal postgraduate qualification in ultrasound. Hybrid instruction mode will be employed which combines online lectures, case-based/problem-based tutorials, forum discussion sessions, and practical hands-on demonstrations. The module is offered concurrently with supervised clinical practice to develop competency in abdominal ultrasound.

Learners will be equipped with the core principles and applications of abdominal ultrasound. Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) scan in trauma setting and various advanced imaging techniques such as transplant ultrasound, elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound will also be covered. Intensive hands-on practical sessions on healthy volunteers and simulators will be conducted to complete the knowledge and skillset acquisition in abdominal ultrasound.

They will also cover topics such as gross anatomy and physiology, embryology, and clinical indications. Learners will gain insights into equipment and patient preparation, as well as techniques and sonographic protocols for evaluating key abdominal structures. This includes liver, gallbladder, biliary system, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and major abdominal vessels. They will also focus on understanding normal sonographic anatomy and identifying abnormal imaging findings.

At the end of this module, learners will be able to recognise the normal and abnormal ultrasound findings and will be guided in the competent production, interpretation, and assessment of abdominal ultrasound images.

Who Should Attend

  • Radiographers practising ultrasound
  • Healthcare professionals involved in ultrasound work
Prerequisites

Participants must have relevant ultrasound related experience (preferably at least 1 year of working experience as an independent sonographer).

Candidates must have the required access to a medical ultrasound facility to develop competency in the respective clinical applications. They must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days (or equivalent) per week. It is the candidate's responsibility to secure a supervised clinical arrangement in the workplace. At the end of the trimester, candidates must satisfy the clinical requirements (i.e., compulsory logging of the required number of ultrasound examinations in the clinical portfolio and pass the clinical skills assessment).

Documents and information you would need to complete this application:

Please upload documents under Online Applications - Supporting Documents section.

  • Employment support letter (Includes applicant's area of work)*
  • Recognised BSc degree in any of the health sciences registrable with the local regulatory bodies*
  • Transcript of highest relevant qualification*
  • Professional certification
  • Answers to the following questions:
    • Your reasons for pursuing the module (100 - 150 words)
    • Why did you select SIT over other academic institutions? (100 - 150 words)
    • What do you hope to achieve at the completion of the module? (100 - 150 words)

Note:
* Mandatory documents

Haja Mydin
"This course was very helpful in reinforcing my knowledge of abdominal ultrasound concepts - A&P structure/function/normal vs abnormal sonographic appearance and pathologies. The hands-on practical sessions were useful in improving my scanning techniques."
Chen Zheng Xiang
Radiographer, Raffles Hospital
avatar female
"This course is not only for the beginners but it is good chance for the experimental sonographers to refresh their knowledge. Very capsular modules, just adequate! Organisers did a great job."
Betty Mathew
Principal Radiographer, SATA CommHealth
avatar female
"This course enabled me to learn basics in sonography scanning techniques for the abdomen. Anatomy and physiology were also refreshed pre-scan so as to better correlate the image and actual anatomy."
Vanessa Lam
Radiographer, Gleneagles Hospital

What You Will Learn

  • Critically evaluate the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of abdominal pathology

  • Acquire hands-on ultrasound scanning skills of the abdomen include Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examinations and perform ultrasound examination proficiently and competently

  • Discuss the normal and abnormal imaging characteristics of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary system, kidneys, adrenals, spleen, pancreas, and peritoneal cavity

  • Explain the significance of clinical presentation and laboratory tests as well as complimentary imaging modalities relevant to hepato-biliary and kidney systems for refinement of differential diagnosis

  • Critically discuss the limitation of ultrasound in regards to abdominal ultrasound imaging and recognise when modifications to routine scanning approaches are required

Teaching Team

Ooi Chin Chin
Ooi Chin Chin

Associate Professor, Health and Social Sciences, Singapore Institute of Technology

View profile

Schedule

Week Topics
Week 1 Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound
Week 2 The liver
Week 3 The gallbladder and biliary system
Week 4 The renal tracts (kidneys, ureters, bladders) and adrenals
Week 5

The spleen and pancreas
Case-based Tutorial 1
Clinical assessment 1 and case report submission

Week 6 - 7 Workshop: Abdominal Ultrasound
Renal and liver transplant
Sonography technique, surgical and non-surgical complications
Week 8

The great abdominal vessels
Quiz

Week 9 Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) and relevant topics
Week 10 Anterior abdominal wall/groin and bowel sonography
Group project work
Case-based Tutorial 2
Week 11

Advanced imaging techniques 1 and 2
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, ultrasound elastography of the liver and spleen
Continuous assessment (OSCE)

Week 12 Clinical assessment 2
Clinical portfolio submission

Certificate and Assessment

A Certificate of Participation will be issued to participants who

  • Attend at least 75% of the module
  • Undertake non-credit bearing assessment during the module
     

A Certificate of Attainment will be issued to participants who

  • Attend at least 75% of the module, and
  • Candidates who pass the assessment criteria of the respective module will earn 6 credits, which can be stacked towards the Graduate Certificate in Medical Sonography

Fee Structure

The full fee for this course is S$4,469.00.

Category After SF Funding
Singapore Citizen (Below 40) S$1,340.70
Singapore Citizen (40 & Above) S$520.70
Singapore PR / LTVP+ Holder S$1,340.70
Non-Singapore Citizen S$4,469.00 (No Funding)


Note: All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.

Course Runs

There are no upcoming course runs at the moment.

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Learning Pathway