Key completion criteria for the Echocardiography Training Programme

The three key completion requirements

1. Completion of the work-based assessments and competences on the e-portfolio – you must have both modules of the ETP signed off by your training officer by the end of the funded programme. See the dates below for your relevant date.
2. Successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Clinical Echocardiography – you are required to successfully pass the PGCert in Clinical Echocardiography. You will be subject to the requirements set out by the individual HEI in completing the PGCert in Clinical Echocardiography, and according to the curriculum set for the programme for the specialty.
3. Successful completion of the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) level 2 Transthoracic Accreditation process – you are required to have passed the written portion of the BSE Accreditation process before the completion date and have attended a practical assessment. The BSE Accreditation process allows for one resit of the practical assessment and if this is required you will be eligible to complete the ETP if you are successful at a timely resit attempt outside of the programme. For all cohorts, completion of the programme will be awarded provided you are fully Accredited within 6 months of the end of the programme (exceptionally 12 months in agreement with the School).

Your certificate of completion

The Certificate of Completion for the Echocardiography Training Programme (CCETP) confirms that you have met all the relevant mandatory completion criteria for the programme.

Timescales for receiving your certificate

Once you have successfully completed the mandatory requirements of the ETP, you will receive a confirmation of completion email. The hard copy completion certificate will be sent to the address we have on file for you, however this may be up to 4 to 6 weeks later. An electronic copy will be made available if a hard copy cannot be provided.

We anticipate that BSE Accreditation will be achieved by the end of the funded programme, but this may be later if you require a second attempt at the practical assessment. Therefore, full completion may be up to 6 months after the end of the programme; 12 months in exceptional circumstances with prior agreement with the School. For this reason, and for trainees who may have an extension to their PGCert or have recorded exceptions, the completion certificate will be awarded when the completion criteria have been met in full, providing this is not more than 12 months after the programme ends. Therefore, the timescales may vary significantly for individual trainees.

Following the deadline your e-portfolio account will be suspended and the School will undertake a quality check of your completion status. This will include both the University and BSE sharing data with the School on the outcomes of their respective components of the programme. Once checked and if all criteria have been met, you will receive a confirmation of completion email from the School. This may be up to 2 weeks after the deadline.

If you are unsure you will meet completion requirements, discuss this with your Training Officer and contact the School as soon as possible on england.nshcs@nhs.net.

Summary of completion requirements and final date to complete

2022 cohort

2023 cohort

2024 cohort