Open the Curriculum Search It My Study

Begin Your Twelve-Month POCUS Journey

Join physicians, nurses, sonographers, physiotherapists and emergency professionals learning POCUS the structured way — module by module, image by image.

• Explain the physical principles governing diagnostic ultrasound.
• Describe the interaction of ultrasound with biological tissues.
• Understand ultrasound instrumentation and machine operation.
• Select the appropriate transducer for different clinical applications.
• Optimise ultrasound images using machine controls.
• Apply Doppler ultrasound principles in clinical practice.
• Recognise and correctly interpret common ultrasound artefacts.
• Demonstrate correct probe handling using the Five Probe Movements.
• Acquire diagnostically useful ultrasound images systematically.
• Apply ultrasound safety principles, including ALARA, Thermal Index and Mechanical Index.
• Document and report POCUS findings appropriately.
• Integrate POCUS into routine clinical decision-making.
• Adapt scanning techniques for adult, paediatric, pregnant, geriatric, critically ill, trauma, obese, disabled, post-operative and resource-limited patient populations.

• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Examinations. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
• AIUM. Medical Ultrasound Safety (ALARA, Thermal & Mechanical Indices). 4th ed.
• Hangiandreou NJ. AAPM/RSNA Physics Tutorial: Topics in US — B-mode US: basic concepts and new technology. RadioGraphics 2003;23:1019-33.
• Abu-Zidan FM, et al. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) principles. World J Emerg Surg / critical care ultrasound literature.
• POCUS Certification Academy. POCUS Fundamentals certificate content outline. pocus.org.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the heart and great vessels.
• Obtain and optimise all standard focused cardiac ultrasound views.
• Identify normal cardiac structures and recognise common pathological findings.
• Assess left and right ventricular size and systolic function.
• Detect pericardial effusion and recognise features of cardiac tamponade.
• Assess intravascular volume status using the inferior vena cava.
• Perform focused haemodynamic assessment in patients with shock.
• Apply Cardiac POCUS during cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies.
• Integrate Cardiac POCUS with lung and vascular ultrasound for comprehensive bedside assessment.
• Adapt cardiac ultrasound techniques across adult, paediatric, pregnant, geriatric, critically ill, trauma, obese, post-surgical and resource-limited populations.

• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound. In collaboration with ACC and ASE.
• Labovitz AJ, et al. Focused cardiac ultrasound in the emergent setting: ASE/ACEP consensus statement. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23:1225-30.
• Jensen MB, et al. Transthoracic echocardiography for cardiopulmonary monitoring in intensive care: FATE protocol. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2004;21:700-7.
• Rudski LG, et al. Guidelines for echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in adults. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23:685-713.
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines. American College of Emergency Physicians.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the lungs and pleura.
• Perform a systematic lung ultrasound examination using standard scanning protocols.
• Recognise normal lung ultrasound findings and differentiate them from pathological findings.
• Diagnose pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary oedema, lung consolidation, atelectasis and interstitial syndrome using Lung POCUS.
• Apply Lung POCUS in acute respiratory failure, chest trauma and critical illness.
• Perform and interpret the BLUE and FALLS protocols at the bedside.
• Integrate Lung POCUS with cardiac and vascular ultrasound for multi-organ evaluation.
• Adapt Lung POCUS techniques across adult, paediatric, pregnant, geriatric, critically ill, trauma, obese, immunocompromised, post-operative and resource-limited populations.

• Volpicelli G, et al. International evidence-based recommendations for point-of-care lung ultrasound. Intensive Care Med 2012;38:577-91.
• Lichtenstein DA, Mezière GA. Relevance of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure: the BLUE protocol. Chest 2008;134:117-25.
• Lichtenstein DA. BLUE-protocol and FALLS-protocol: two applications of lung ultrasound in the critically ill. Chest 2015;147:1659-70.
• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Thoracic Ultrasound.
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Dyspnea and Suspected Cardiopulmonary Disease.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the abdominal organs and major abdominal vessels.
• Perform a systematic focused abdominal ultrasound examination.
• Recognise normal and abnormal appearances of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, aorta and IVC.
• Identify gallstones, acute cholecystitis, hydronephrosis, renal calculi, ascites, abdominal aortic aneurysm and free intraperitoneal fluid.
• Apply Abdominal POCUS in abdominal pain, trauma, sepsis, hypotension and urinary tract emergencies.
• Integrate Abdominal POCUS with Cardiac, Lung and Vascular POCUS in multi-organ bedside assessment.
• Adapt abdominal ultrasound techniques across all patient populations, including pregnancy and resource-limited settings.

• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Abdomen and/or Retroperitoneum.
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Right Upper Quadrant Pain; Acute Nonlocalized Abdominal Pain; Suspected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Imaging Criteria Compendium — FAST and biliary ultrasound guidelines.
• American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine / ACR / SRU. Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Aorta.
• Kirkpatrick AW, et al. FAST and E-FAST in trauma: international consensus literature. J Trauma / World J Emerg Surg.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the brain, cerebral circulation and optic nerve relevant to NeuroPOCUS.
• Perform focused neurological ultrasound examinations using appropriate cranial and orbital acoustic windows.
• Measure and interpret optic nerve sheath diameter as a bedside assessment of raised intracranial pressure.
• Understand the principles and clinical applications of Transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
• Recognise NeuroPOCUS findings in raised intracranial pressure, stroke, traumatic brain injury and cerebral vasospasm.
• Apply NeuroPOCUS in emergency medicine, neurocritical care, anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and prehospital care.
• Integrate NeuroPOCUS with Cardiac, Lung and Vascular POCUS in critically ill neurological patients.
• Adapt NeuroPOCUS techniques across all patient populations including neonates, pregnancy and post-neurosurgical patients.

• Kimberly HH, et al. Focus on: emergency ultrasound for optic nerve sheath diameter measurement. Acad Emerg Med 2008;15:201-4.
• Robba C, et al. Ultrasound non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure in neurointensive care: systematic review. Intensive Care Med / meta-analysis literature.
• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Neurosonography in Neonates and Infants. In collaboration with ACR, SPR and SRU.
• American Society of Neuroimaging / AIUM. Practice Parameter for Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography.
• Rasulo FA, et al. Neurocritical care ultrasound and optic nerve sheath diameter: consensus-based evidence. Critical Care.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the globe, orbit and optic nerve.
• Perform a systematic ocular ultrasound examination using safe scanning techniques.
• Recognise normal ocular anatomy and common sonographic abnormalities.
• Identify retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage, posterior vitreous detachment, lens dislocation, globe rupture and other ocular emergencies.
• Measure and interpret optic nerve sheath diameter in the assessment of raised intracranial pressure.
• Apply Ocular POCUS in emergency medicine, critical care, internal medicine and neurocritical care.
• Integrate Ocular POCUS with NeuroPOCUS in neurological and ophthalmic emergencies.
• Adapt ocular ultrasound techniques across adult, paediatric, pregnant, geriatric, critically ill, trauma, obese, post-operative and immunocompromised populations.

• Blaivas M, et al. Bedside ultrasound in the detection of retinal detachment and vitreous pathology. Acad Emerg Med / Ann Emerg Med literature.
• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Ocular Ultrasound Examinations (ophthalmic ultrasound guidance).
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines — ocular ultrasound section.
• Ohle R, et al. Sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter for detection of raised intracranial pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Emerg Med 2015;66:278-85.
• Shinar Z, et al. Ocular ultrasound in the emergency department. West J Emerg Med.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the female pelvis and the pregnant uterus.
• Perform systematic transabdominal and basic transvaginal POCUS examinations where appropriate within professional scope.
• Recognise normal findings in early and late pregnancy.
• Assess fetal viability, gestational age, presentation, placental location and amniotic fluid volume.
• Identify ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, placenta previa and placental abruption.
• Recognise uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, ovarian torsion and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Apply O&G POCUS in emergency medicine, family medicine, obstetrics, gynaecology, anaesthesia and critical care.
• Integrate O&G POCUS with abdominal, cardiac and lung ultrasound in acutely ill patients.
• Adapt scanning techniques across reproductive-age, adolescent, paediatric, pregnant, postpartum, postmenopausal and resource-limited populations.

• AIUM–ACR–ACOG–SMFM–SRU. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations.
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® First Trimester Vaginal Bleeding; Suspected Ectopic Pregnancy.
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines — pelvic/first-trimester ultrasound.
• Doubilet PM, et al. Diagnostic criteria for nonviable pregnancy early in the first trimester. N Engl J Med 2013;369:1443-51.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ultrasound in pregnancy practice bulletins.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the male lower urinary tract, prostate, scrotum and penis.
• Perform a systematic focused ultrasound examination of the bladder, prostate and scrotal contents.
• Measure bladder volume, post-void residual volume and prostate volume.
• Recognise common bladder, prostate and scrotal pathologies.
• Differentiate common causes of acute scrotal pain including testicular torsion, epididymitis and hydrocele.
• Apply Male Pelvic POCUS in emergency medicine, primary care, urology, internal medicine and critical care.
• Integrate Male Pelvic POCUS with renal, abdominal and vascular ultrasound.
• Adapt scanning techniques across paediatric, adult, geriatric, neurogenic bladder, post-surgical and resource-limited populations.

• AIUM–ACR–SPR–SRU. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Scrotal Ultrasound Examinations.
• AIUM–ACR. Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Prostate (and Surrounding Structures).
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Acute Onset of Scrotal Pain; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.
• American Urological Association. BPH and acute scrotum clinical guidance (imaging recommendations).
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines — renal/bladder and testicular applications.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bursae and peripheral nerves.
• Perform a systematic musculoskeletal ultrasound examination using dynamic scanning techniques.
• Recognise normal and abnormal musculoskeletal ultrasound findings.
• Identify common muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, nerve and soft tissue disorders.
• Apply MSK POCUS in sports medicine, emergency medicine, orthopaedics, rheumatology, rehabilitation and primary care.
• Perform basic ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal procedures safely within professional scope of practice.
• Integrate MSK POCUS with vascular and peripheral nerve ultrasound.
• Adapt scanning techniques across paediatric, pregnant, geriatric, trauma, post-surgical, amputee and resource-limited populations.

• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Performance of a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Examination. In collaboration with ACR, SRU and SPR.
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Chronic Ankle Pain; Suspected Rotator Cuff / Soft Tissue Pathology.
• Jacobson JA. Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Elsevier.
• AIUM–ACR. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Peripheral Nerve Ultrasound / Ultrasound-Guided MSK Procedures.
• American Physical Therapy Association. Imaging in physical therapist practice guidance.

• Describe the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the arterial and venous systems.
• Perform systematic venous and arterial ultrasound examinations.
• Recognise normal vascular anatomy and Doppler flow patterns.
• Diagnose deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm and other common vascular disorders.
• Perform ultrasound-guided vascular access safely within professional scope of practice.
• Apply Vascular POCUS in emergency medicine, critical care, nephrology, surgery, anaesthesia and primary care.
• Integrate Vascular POCUS with cardiac, lung and abdominal ultrasound for comprehensive haemodynamic assessment.
• Adapt vascular ultrasound techniques across paediatric, pregnant, oncology, dialysis, post-surgical and resource-limited populations.

• AIUM–ACR–SRU. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Peripheral Venous / Arterial Duplex Ultrasound.
• Needleman L, et al. Ultrasound for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: multidisciplinary recommendations. Circulation 2018;137:1505-15.
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Suspected Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis; Suspected Upper Extremity DVT.
• ACEP. Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines — vascular/DVT applications.
• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Use of Ultrasound to Guide Vascular Access Procedures.

• Select and perform the appropriate rapid bedside POCUS protocol based on the patient's presenting complaint.
• Perform and interpret the E-FAST, RUSH, FATE, BLUE, FALLS, SESAME, CASA and FASH protocols.
• Understand the principles of VExUS and focused venous congestion assessment.
• Integrate cardiac, lung, abdominal and vascular ultrasound into a structured multi-organ assessment.
• Apply protocol-driven POCUS in trauma, shock, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, sepsis, acute kidney injury and perioperative care.
• Adapt integrated POCUS protocols across adult, paediatric, obstetric, geriatric, trauma, oncology, disaster and resource-limited settings.

• Lichtenstein DA, Mezière GA. BLUE protocol. Chest 2008;134:117-25; FALLS protocol, Chest 2015;147:1659-70.
• Perera P, et al. The RUSH exam: Rapid Ultrasound in SHock in the evaluation of the critically ill. Emerg Med Clin North Am / Crit Ultrasound J.
• American College of Surgeons / ACEP. ATLS and FAST/E-FAST trauma imaging guidance.
• Jensen MB, et al. FATE protocol. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2004;21:700-7.
• Beaulieu M, et al. VExUS venous congestion assessment. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2020;34:1937-9.
• Heller M, Melanson S. FASH exam in HIV/TB endemic settings. emergency ultrasound literature.

• Explain the principles of ultrasound guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Demonstrate in-plane and out-of-plane needle visualisation techniques on phantoms and simulation models.
• Apply sterile technique, patient safety, consent and documentation standards for invasive procedures.
• Perform ultrasound-guided peripheral and central vascular access within professional scope of practice.
• Understand the principles of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis, paracentesis, drainage and MSK procedures.
• Understand the foundations of ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia and pain procedures.
• Integrate procedural ultrasound across adult, paediatric, obstetric, geriatric and critically ill populations.
• Prepare for Phase Two advanced procedural training and international certification pathways.

• AIUM. Practice Parameter for the Use of Ultrasound to Guide Vascular Access Procedures.
• AIUM–ACR–SRU. Practice Parameter for the Performance of Ultrasound-Guided Procedures (thoracentesis, paracentesis, biopsy).
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) & CDC guidance on ultrasound-guided central line insertion.
• American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA). Guidelines for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia education.
• Troianos CA, et al. Guidelines for performing ultrasound guided vascular cannulation: ASE/SCA recommendations. Anesth Analg 2011.