Course Excerpt: Obstetrical Positioning (PCUS109)
This course introduces midwives and other pregnancy care providers to the practical use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Designed with frontline clinicians in mind, the course focuses on how ultrasound can be used at the bedside to support timely clinical decision-making during pregnancy care.
Participants will learn the foundational principles of ultrasound, including how ultrasound waves work, how to safely operate ultrasound equipment, and how to select and use the appropriate transducers and imaging modes. The course also explores how machine settings can be optimized to obtain clear images while maintaining safe ultrasound practices.
Building on this foundation, learners will develop the skills needed to perform limited obstetrical ultrasound assessments in clinical settings. Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, participants will learn techniques to identify fetal position, understand basic cross-sectional anatomy, and recognize common normal and abnormal findings during the second and third trimesters.
A key focus of the course is understanding the appropriate indications and limitations of bedside ultrasound. Participants will explore when point-of-care ultrasound can be helpful in practice and when referral for comprehensive imaging is required.
The lab component of the course will take place on March 28th, where learners will have the opportunity to apply their skills through supervised hands-on practice and competency development.
Prior to the lab session, NAIT will contact participants directly with access to course materials and pre-learning requirements that must be completed in advance of attending the hands-on session.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to safely perform a limited obstetrical POCUS examination and interpret key findings that support clinical assessment of fetal development and maternal wellbeing. These skills can help strengthen clinical confidence, support timely care decisions, and reduce reliance on centralized imaging when appropriate.
Successful completion of the competency assessment will result in a NAIT Microcredential and a Digital Badge, which participants can share with their professional network.
Note: In Alberta, sonography is a restricted practice. Only learners from regulated health professions who are authorized to perform point-of-care ultrasound are eligible to enroll and must provide proof of eligibility prior to registration.
