Book fetal cardiac sonographer training

Book our specialist fetal cardiac training for your department

Supporting health professionals, particularly sonographers, is a core part of our work. Our specialist fetal cardiac training aims to give sonographers the confidence and skills to detect heart defects at pregnancy scans. We know it works – the antenatal detection rate of heart defects has more than doubled since we began training in 1999.

We are now taking bookings for sonographer training sessions. We can train up to 10 sonographers per day and will provide as many days as you need.

What happens during a training day?

We prefer to train sonographers in their own units using the machines they work on day in and day out, because we recognise they will feel more comfortable in their own workplace, using equipment they are familiar with.

The morning session starts at 9am, with a presentation given by the Tiny Tickers
trainer. The presentation covers the work of our charity, the latest UK antenatal detection rate data and who should be referred for a fetal echo.

We also look at the anatomy of the fetal heart and how it forms from conception, and discuss fetal circulation and the adaptation to neonatal life.

Image optimisation, image quality and the use of colour Doppler feature heavily, and we discuss what colour we are selecting, why and what information we hope to gain by using it. We also discuss machine settings and overriding pre-sets e.g. probe selection, colour maps, dynamic range and PRF.

We then move on to the standard FASP views required at the 20 week anatomy scan: situs, 4 Chamber View, LVOT, RVOT, 3VV and 3VT. We explore each view, going through the checklist of the structures we should see in the normal fetal heart. This is supported by multiple images and clips demonstrating normality and assessing each view in standard greyscale image and with the use of colour Doppler.

Following this, we discuss the four auditable conditions and the expected detection
rates set out by FASP. These conditions are AVSD, ToF, TGA and HLHS. We give an overview of the anatomical abnormality and which features could be visible in each view. We demonstrate a wide variety of images and clips of each of the abnormalities and talk through each one, pointing out the defects and refreshing on how it should appear if it the structure was normal.

The images and clips we use are specifically hand-picked to demonstrate structure,
however, we do include some images and clips that are sub-optimal, as this is the
reality that sonographers face when scanning on a day-to-day basis. We want to
increase sonographers’ confidence in being able to determine normality, even
when challenged with poor visualisation.

Finally, we summarise by discussing strategy should an abnormality be suspected, referral and report writing.

Once the presentation is complete, we will immediately begin the hands-on part of the training. The hospital will have recruited some volunteer patients who will all have had a normal 20-week anatomy scan. Often, the patients are offered free scan pictures and free parking/travel allowance.

During the hands-on training, the Tiny Tickers trainer stands next to the scan
machine as the sonographer scans. The sonographer is encouraged to examine the fetal heart using a systematic approach, starting with situs. The trainer talks through image optimisation and machine settings and then all the anatomical features that can and should be seen in each of the views.

Multiple sonographers can be present in the room, as it is beneficial for sonographers to observe, as well as participate, in scanning the patient.
Up to five volunteer patients are recommended for all attending sonographers to have the chance to participate.

The departments will receive a situs doll, a scanning planes poster and other materials, including our Think 20 and Think HEART campaign posters.

Each sonographer will also receive a set of fetal cardiac information cards, an acorn keyring (a good representation of the size of the fetal heart at 20 weeks) a Tiny Tickers pen and pin badge.

A digital certificate will be emailed to each delegate following the training session.

Meet our trainers

Our dedicated team of professional trainers is led by Tiny Tickers’ Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Health Professional Services, Anne Rhodes. Find out more about her, and some of the training team, below.

Fill out the form below to receive a quote for training.