A POCUS course can look like a manageable development project: choose a date, book study leave and learn to scan. The harder planning often starts afterwards, when you need access to patients, equipment and someone who can review your work.
If your goal is Intensive Care Society FUSIC accreditation, compare the whole pathway before purchasing a teaching day. This guide focuses on Heart and Lung, with a brief note on advanced HD training. The central question is whether your clinical setting can support learning through to assessment.
Choose the module around your clinical work
The FUSIC Heart and FUSIC Lung registration pages welcome healthcare professionals across grades and specialties. Each involves theory, supervised and unsupervised scans, a reviewed logbook, competency sign-off and a triggered assessment. Heart uses a Mentor and Supervisor; Lung uses a Trainer.
Start by describing the work in which you expect to use ultrasound. Discuss that aim with someone who understands both the pathway and your clinical role. A module that interests you may be difficult to complete if your placement rarely provides the relevant learning opportunities.
A hypothetical doctor rotating away from intensive care soon should establish how supervision would continue after the move. A clinician remaining in one service may instead need agreement about protected scanning and review time. Neither problem is solved by booking a course first.
Arrange supervision before choosing a teaching date
Ask a prospective Mentor or Trainer whether they can support you, what they expect from learners and how often you will meet. Confirm who can provide the final assessment. Agree how images and reports will be stored and reviewed within your organisation’s arrangements.
Useful questions include:
- Can I access an appropriate machine during clinical work?
- Will suitable patients and a relevant case mix be available?
- Who will directly supervise scans?
- How will I obtain feedback between formal meetings?
- What happens if my rotation, job or supervisor changes?
- Who can assess me when I am ready?
A supportive conversation is a good start. A workable plan also needs names, opportunities and time in the diary.
Theory teaching is one component
For both Heart and Lung, ICS allows the online training or an approved face-to-face course. Register with ICS before undertaking the pathway steps and check that any external teaching is approved for your chosen module. The FUSIC FAQ explains registration and access.
This gives you a genuine format choice. Someone who needs flexible theory study may prefer the online option. Someone seeking interaction may value an approved course. Ask what the fee includes and how teaching connects with your subsequent practice.
A course attendance certificate is different from the accreditation certificate. The Heart pack says examinations performed at courses no longer count as directly supervised logbook scans.
Understand the logbook and assessment commitment
The current Heart training pack specifies at least 50 scans, including 10 directly supervised. Its registration includes e-learning and the eventual accreditation certificate. The overall learning period is 24 months, with first-to-last logbook scan within 12 months.
The Lung training pack specifies at least 30 scans, including 10 directly supervised, and requires the triggered assessment within the 12-month logbook period. Doctors must also demonstrate competence in ultrasound-guided pleural aspiration and drainage; nurses and allied health professionals need this only when the procedures are within their routine scope.
Use these as planning requirements, then read the full module documents with your supervisor. Meeting a minimum count does not replace the competency judgement. Build in time for review and further practice rather than scheduling everything against the deadline.
Training images also need appropriate clinical oversight. The packs state that training scans should not inform clinical decisions until verified by a suitably trained individual.
Budget beyond the registration price
Prices checked on 9 November 2026 for each of Heart and Lung were £195 standard, £97 Professional Member and £146 Associate Member. Heart also lists a £97 PCCS rate.
These are registration prices. An external practical course, travel, accommodation or other locally agreed training costs may be additional. Compare the full plan rather than treating a “from £97” listing as the cost of all teaching and supervision.
Advanced HD training needs separate checks
HD has additional entry requirements. The January 2026 HD training pack requires relevant independent clinical competence, a qualifying heart accreditation and Lung or FAMUS accreditation. It explicitly removes the previous abdominal-ultrasound accreditation requirement. Use the current pack when older summaries disagree.
Keep a useful learning record
Record specific feedback, changes in your approach and what you still need to practise. iatroX’s CPD tools support related question-based follow-up learning and a record of that activity for you to review. The reflection template can structure external course notes; the formal supervised logbook and assessment remain part of the relevant pathway.
Frequently asked questions
Must I buy a face-to-face course?
Check your chosen module’s approved learning options and discuss which format will meet your needs.
Can I complete everything by watching online teaching?
Theory access does not provide the supervised scanning, reviewed practice and assessment needed for accreditation.
What should I do if I cannot find a supervisor?
Resolve that before committing to external teaching. ICS provides a directory and learning-team contact routes on its FUSIC pages.