Program Summary
Duration
1 Year
Application Deadline
December 9, 2024
Study Type
Hybrid
Annual Tuition Fees
AED 17,000*
About the Program
The Fundamentals of Pediatric Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certificate is a one-year program offered by the Postgraduate Medical Education Deanship at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) for health care providers who are interested in enhancing their pediatric clinical practice with POCUS. This is a blended program, consisting of engaging online activities combined with face-to-face workshops that will provide comprehensive hands-on experience, with plenty of opportunities for clinical practice at the convenience of your clinical workplace setting supported by feedback from expert faculty. Graduates of the program are equipped with the knowledge and clinical skills to confidently use and incorporate POCUS in their daily pediatric clinical practice. After the successful completion of the program requirements, graduates will receive the MBRU Fundamentals of Pediatric Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certificate.
A Message from the Program Directors:
Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Program Director
Dr. Imran Asad, Associate Program Director
Physician, Nurse or Paramedic Licensed Healthcare Provider
| Professional Background | The candidate must be a physician, or a nurse or a paramedic licensed healthcare provider.
The candidate should have access to an ultrasound machine with image storage capability within their health care setting. |
| Language | The candidate must be able to engage in learning and assessment in English. |
| Experience | Ultrasound prior experience is NOT required. |
| Documents | Updated CV
A 2-minute candidate introduction video to tell us about yourself and why are you interested in this program |
Required Documents
The online application form is the official and only means to request to enroll as a student at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. All fields must be carefully filled as per the guides provided. Inaccuracies may lead to disqualifying of your application.
Applicants are advised to:
- Read the entire application form before filling in any details
- Some fields have specific guides in the filling box. Please follow those guides carefully
- Have the following documents scanned in color and ready to upload in PDF format:
- Recent colored photo (with white background in high-resolution format)
- Valid passport copy
- Emirates ID Card – front (if applicable)
- Emirates ID Card – back (if applicable)
- Residency Permit (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Medical License
- 2-minute Candidate Introduction video (Tell us about yourself and why are you interested in this program?)
You will receive an application number when you create a login account. Please record your application number and use it in all communication with the admissions team. It is the formal unique identifier of your application to MBRU.
Curriculum
This is a one-year hybrid program that will be delivered in 6 modules.
| Module | Modality |
| Theoretical Knowledge Acquisition | Online |
| Skill Development | Face-to-face |
| Practice in Clinical workplace | Learner’s Workplace |
| Skills Refreshment | Face-to-face |
| Complete e-portfolio | Learner’s Workplace |
| Competency assessment | Face to face |
Tuition Fees
| Application fee | AED 150 + AED 12.5 (5% VAT). Non-refundable. Due at the time of application |
| Tuition fee | AED 17,000. Due at the time of accepting the admission offer letter |
*Please note that the application fee is non-refundable and due at the time of submitting the application.
Tuition Fee Refund Policy
-
- 100% of the total fee is refunded if withdrawal is before the official beginning of the program.
- 50% of the total fees are refunded if withdrawal is before the end of the second week of module 1.
- No refund after the end of the second week of module 1.
- A full refund is possible in cases of
- A state-wide resolution such as visa restrictions
- Late university regulations such as suspension/cancellation of a program
- The refund policy excludes the following:
- Application fee
- Tuition fee in the event of dismissal for disciplinary reasons.
| 2024 Academic Calendar |
||
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Activity | Venue |
| January 2, 2025 | Program starts | |
| January 2 – 23, 2025 | Phase 1: Complete Online Modules | Online |
| January 17-18, 2025 | Phase 2: 2-day Face to Face Course | MBRU |
| January 25 – May 29, 2025 | Phase 3: Self-directed Skills Practice | Trainee clinical site |
| May 16-17, 2025 | Phase 4: 2-day Face to Face course | MBRU |
| June 1 – December 29, 2025 | Phase 5: Self-directed skills practice and completion of the online portfolio | Trainee clinical site |
| January 9, 2026 | Phase 6: Assessment | MBRU |
Additional Information
- Once the candidate accepts the offer letter and pays the tuition fee, he/she can only apply once to postpone joining the program to the next cohort. An official request to postpone joining the program should be sent to the program coordinator two weeks prior to the start date of module 1 of the program.
- Once the program starts, trainees can request to freeze the program for a maximum of 2 months and re-join to complete the rest of training from the point they stopped.
- The grades earned for this program will be derived based on the following (10% online quizzes, 40% e-Portfolio, 50% final competency assessment). Trainees must obtain minimum of 70% to be certified.
- Trainees could appeal the result of the final competency assessment if challenges related to technical or operational issues arise during the examination.
- Trainees who do not pass the final competency assessment will be granted a maximum of two re-sit attempts at the subsequent years with the next cohorts.
- Trainees in this program will follow the student Code of Conduct, and Rights & Responsibilities set in MBRU Student Handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is this program aimed at?
This program is intended for practicing healthcare providers (interns, residents, fellows, physicians, nurses, and paramedics) who want to learn Point-of-Care Ultrasound. The program is geared primarily towards providers who care for acutely ill patients. The program is not intended for radiographers or radiology technicians.
What ultrasound applications will I learn in this program?
The program is designed to provide trainees with the knowledge and skills in 5 basic POCUS applications, namely Lung, Cardiac, Trauma, First Trimester and Abdominal Aorta.
How long will the program take to complete?
One year of study delivered in a hybrid blended format over 6 modules.
How is the MBRU Fundamentals of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Program different from the usual POCUS courses?
Obtaining competency in POCUS requires bedside scanning practice. This program is designed to provide trainees with comprehensive hands-on practice opportunity under direct faculty supervision during the face-to-face sessions in module 2 and module 4. In addition, trainees will have the opportunity to foster self-directed learning by completing an e-Portfolio of the POCUS scans from their clinical workplace. The e-Portfolio will be reviewed by a faculty member and trainees will receive feedback. The program will provide trainees with an educational experience that will foster ongoing scanning practice that places emphasis on high-quality image acquisition.
Will I get updates on my performance and program status?
You will receive feedback from the faculty from module 2 and continue through module 5.
What are the minimum requirements for earning the Certificate of Completion?
This training program’s final grade is weighted at:
| Assignment | Total Grade |
| Online Quizzes | 5% |
| e-Portfolio | 9% number of scans
18% image quality 18% image interpretation |
| Competency Assessment | 25% written test
25% Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) |
Trainees must achieve a minimum of 75% to receive the certificate.
Can I save the ultrasound images?
Trainees will be able to save all the images they obtain during the face-to-face practice in module 2 & 4.
During module 3 & 5, trainees are required to have access to an ultrasound machine in their clinical workplace to practice POCUS scans. The POCUS scans must be saved in the machines and exported to a USB and then uploaded in an e-Portfolio. The scans should not include any patient identifiers. Trainees must sign a declaration form during the program application process emphasizing the importance of patient confidentiality and that the e-Portfolio POCUS scans are for educational purposes only and will not replace or interfere with usual medical care.
What will happen if I don’t complete the e-Portfolio within the required time?
If the trainee is unable to complete the e-Portfolio prior to competency assessment, he/she will be granted a maximum of 6 months extension to complete the e-Portfolio and submit all requirements.
Will technical support be available during the program?
This program extensively uses the MBRU learning management system (LMS) for publishing reading material and multimedia, as well as communicating with learners and submitting assignments. To access the LMS, you must have a web browser, and you will need your username and password (received upon registration). The program coordinator will be the main point of contact for any technical assistance.
Will clinical question support be available during the program?
From module 2 to module 5, review and feedback by faculty will be available via an electronic platform.
What happens if I can’t attend the hands-on sessions on the MBRU campus?
During Modules 2 and 4, trainees are required to attend two days of face-to face hands-on sessions to develop and refresh their skills. In force majeure circumstances which may affect the trainee’s ability to attend the hands-on sessions, special arrangements may be provided for the trainee to make up for the missed sessions after the approval of the program training committee. Applicants must provide valid supporting evidence to be considered by the training committee.
Do the online sessions have to be finished before the hands-on activity?
Yes, trainees are required to complete and pass all the online quizzes before module 2 (hands-on practice). If they do not pass all the online quizzes before module 2, they will have another chance to repeat online quizzes and pass them before module
Can I claim a refund if unable to participate in the program?
Please refer to the Refund Policy Section for detailed information.