Point of Care Early Pregnancy Ultrasound

Theoretical course

This course is a theoretical ultrasound course only and will require a supported practical component as determined by your Local Health Network.

Providing the knowledge base and skills required to assess gestational age, pregnancy site, pregnancy viability and fetal number with point of care ultrasound at 5 to 10 week’s gestation. Developed as a joint initiative between the Mobile Learning Unit, Melbourne Medical School and Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, this course is written by and for clinicians who care for women in early pregnancy. The course readily aligns with existing educational programs and qualifications, prepares you for supervised practice, and is flexible to your educational needs and availability. The course can be also used for revision, for example if your career changes or is interrupted temporarily.

The early 21st century was marked by scandals in Australia, Ireland, England and other high-income countries where women suffered misdiagnosis of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women rightly demanded accurate diagnosis and humane care. Women complained about long waiting times in Emergency Departments, cursory ultrasound examinations and hastily made management plans, often determined to a greater extent by clinicians’, not patients’ preferences.

Enquiries such as the Irish Health Executives' 2011 National Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review called for readily accessible Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPAC), staffed by appropriately educated clinicians and specifically recommended courses in transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound.

The current course meets the need for multi-disciplinary education, supporting clinicians and healthcare services to develop holistic Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPAC), with special attention to practice and interpretation of point of care ultrasound (POCUS).

Eligibility requirements

SA Health employed midwife and/or SA Health employed registered nurse.

Designed for

Midwives and registered nurses currently working in or planning to work in Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics: Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists and Sexual Health.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify normal early pregnancy development for both singleton and twin pregnancies using ultrasound
2. Create ultrasound images through knowledge of physics, machine settings and patient aspects such as uterine axis and patient size
3. Define terminology for probe manoeuvres and anatomical planes
4. Evaluate when to utilise POCUS and when to refer for additional imaging and other expertise
5. Diagnose miscarriage and outline treatment options
6. Diagnose tubal ectopic pregnancy and outline treatment options
7. Recognise serious or common complications in the ovaries with early pregnancy
8. Implement improved practice for experienced Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics (EPAC) practitioners and those developing an EPAC service
9. Organise supervised POCUS practice, workshops, simulation or assessments, as a trainee or trainer/assessor

How to apply

Applications close 30 June 2025

SA Health registered nurses and/ or midwives interested in the course are to contact their direct line manager who will liaise with the Nursing and Midwifery Office.

Staff will receive an email from the University of Melbourne mobile learning unit with portal access and instructions. If you do not receive an email or have queries, check your Junk Folder and then contact the Nursing and Midwifery Office at health.nursingandmidwiferytraining@sa.gov.au.

Fees

Fully funded by SA Health.