Healthcare Science (Vascular Science)

Work-Based Learning 1
This covers the initial clinical, scientific, and technical competency training necessary to work safely within the learner’s clinical placement.

It provides practical experiences and by the end of the module, they will be expected to apply, in practice, a range of technical and clinical skills and critically reflect on and develop their performance.

Clinical and Professional Practice 1
This module teaches the clinical considerations for preparing a patient for an examination, reflecting on the patient’s concerns and dignity, the type of examination being performed, infection control procedures and the professional standards which healthcare professionals uphold to.

Scientific and Technical Practice 1
This introduces learners to key elements of investigation and experimentation and provides them with a strong foundation in instrumentation, data collection and interpretation, and the relevance to patient care. For Vascular Science learners, this module extends to providing them with an insight into the technology behind the non-invasive techniques they will use in their day-to-day job role.

Introduction to Vascular Science Practice

This provides an introduction to the routine diagnostics used within vascular science. Specifically, learners will be introduced to abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.

Cell and Molecular Biology
This module teaches learners about the basic building blocks of human biology. For Vascular Science learners, this module specifically explores the process of atherosclerosis, metabolic pathways, venous thrombosis, aneurysm formation

Human Anatomy and Physiology
This module offers an introduction to the key anatomical features of the body and how physiological function is controlled to maintain homeostasis and health. For Vascular Science learners, it also explores the basic knowledge of anatomy necessary to practise within a vascular imaging role.

The structure and function of arteries, arterioles, veins, venules and capillaries that supply the various organs and muscles in the body will also be taught.

Healthcare Science in Context
This cross-disciplinary module provides learners with an introduction to the study of human disease, exploring historical, social and scientific perspectives as well as an opportunity to explore how modern pathology services are structured and operated. For Vascular Science learners, this module will introduce them to the pathophysiology of diabetes and how NHS policy supports the prevention, management, and treatment of the disease.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Assessment
This module covers the principles of Ankle Brachial Pressure Indices (ABPIs) and Toe Pressures (TPs) and their place within diagnostic practice. Specifically, Doppler technology will be studied and how it supports screening of peripheral arterial disease.

Work-Based Learning 2
This module builds on the training and competency assessment gained in year one.

Clinical and Professional Practice 2
This module allows learners to explore the principles of quality assurance and how vascular services can be improved through effective clinical governance procedures.

Scientific and Technical Practice 2
This module builds on the scientific and technical skills learned in year one. For Vascular Science learners it explores new and evolving vascular diagnostic technologies – eg automated ABPI machines, TCPO2 testing, contrast enhanced ultrasound, 3D tomographic ultrasound, therapeutic ultrasound and elastography.

Ultrasound Technology
This module gives learners an understanding of the function, operation and basic design of ultrasound machines used in vascular diagnostics. In particular, they will learn key B-mode principles such as the piezoelectric effect, ultrasound transducer construction, pulse-echo theory and practice, beam focusing, signal amplification, dynamic range, depth manipulation, the relationship between frequency and resolution, side/grating lobes, compound imaging, harmonic imaging and ultrasound safety (biomechanical and thermal indices). Furthermore, they will learn the limitations of ultrasound.

Peripheral Aneurysm Assessment
This module builds on the introductory level learning from year 1. It provides a wider understanding of how screening can be used to detect non-aortic aneurysms of the peripheral arteries. Specifically, learners will study aneurysms of the iliac artery, common femoral artery and popliteal artery and how screening can enable effective diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Learners will be required to identify and interpret non-aortic peripheral artery disease, how the diseases are monitored, and the different treatment options available.

Lower Limb Venous Assessment
This module applies the theory of ultrasound to lower limb venous assessment. In particular, learners will study how to assess for thrombosis and how to emphasise the details necessary to map appropriate superficial veins for use as a surgical bypass conduit.

The module also provides a clinical knowledge of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The clinical presentation of DVT will be studied as well as the associated risk factors, the importance of accurate triage, the methods used to screen for a DVT (Wells score and D-dimer), and the rationale for anticoagulation.

Learners will be taught the optimal techniques for assessing the deep and superficial veins in the lower limb using ultrasound, the limitations of the scan and errors that can occur, venous haemodynamics, the appearance of acute and chronic thrombus and common incidental findings.

Specific focus will be made on teaching learners to recognise their own professional limits related to lower limb assessment and when to escalate urgent findings to senior colleagues.

Work-Based Learning 3
This module finalises the year one and two training and competency assessment required to enable registration with the Academy of Healthcare Science.

Research Project
This module provides learners with the opportunity to carry out an in-depth research project in an area of personal interest and relevant to their vascular science field.

Clinical and Professional Practice 3
This module increases understanding and application of patient-centred care, safe practice, and multi-disciplinary team working to support patient pathways.

Learners will study the benefits of multi-disciplinary teams and how they support patient care. This involves learning about the role of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical nurse specialists, speech and language therapists, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, radiographers, stroke consultants and vascular surgeons; with an opportunity to shadow several of these specialities.

Lastly, learners will act with minimal supervision to carry out complex diagnostic imaging and report these findings.

Extra Cranial Carotid Screening
This module provides the knowledge and understanding to independently and accurately identify extracranial disease.

Learners will be taught the evidence base for intervening on extra cranial carotid stenosis, the current grading criteria and guidelines which determine how stenosis are assessed using ultrasound and how to independently report the findings in accordance with national guidelines.

Practically, learners will be instructed on how to correctly manipulate the probe and utilise the machine controls to obtain accurate measurements and images. Specific focus will be made on teaching learners to recognise their own professional limits related to extracranial investigation and when to escalate urgent findings to senior colleagues.

Advanced Ultrasound Technology
This will cover the more advanced ultrasound technology and its practice in vascular diagnostics. Key principles of colour and spectral Doppler will be covered. Specific focus will be made on how ultrasound principles can be applied to extracranial investigation.

Other Imaging Modalities
This teaches the methods and techniques used to acquire diagnostic imaging in the most common alternate imaging modalities. This includes, computerised tomographic angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and positron emission tomography (PET).

This module will cover the advantages and disadvantages of different imaging methods, highlighting the clinical situations where single modalities act as the gold standard, whilst also covering some of the evidence regarding the basic cost effectiveness of the different imaging techniques. Learners will also find out about emerging imaging techniques.