ECG - Introduction & Advanced Course Package

Cover all stages from Level 1 through to Level 4 (FDSc)

Cover your theory training online

Practical training in Classroom or Virtual Classroom

Comprehensive Practise@Home training kits for VC

Awards 2 accredited qualifications

Dual Accreditations are awarded for all courses (Open College Network and CPD)

Covers all steps required to competently set up and perform an ECG trace.

Practical sessions include electrode placement on mannequin, running traces and identifying anomalies.

Learn beginner to advanced skills and interpretation.

Basic understanding of English language required.

OPEN TO ALL APPLICANTS

Allow approx. 5-6 hours

Attend a classroom location or join us in our virtual classroom * - 3-4 hours

* Virtual Classroom option includes a free comprehensive Practise@Home ECG training kit.

E-LEARNING - Theory

Allow approx. 6-8 hours

ACCREDITED LEVEL 4 QUALIFICATION

A free starter ECG Course (unassessed) developed to help you understand the basics of ECG recording: 3 modules in total with no Questions!

If you are already familiar with ECGs then you may prefer to save time and opt out of this mini-course at booking stage.

This "mini-course" is available at no charge.

Understanding different ECG equipment types

ECG equipment - set-up and calibration

Includes professionalism, consent, IPC

and legal requirement

Patient preparation

How to correctly apply electrodes to limbs and chest

Identify artifacts (equipment and patients

Identify and recognise routine traces

Identify and recognise non-routine traces

Identify traces requiring urgent attention

Labelling and reporting

Understand the acceptable variations within the normal ECG of healthy adults.

Recognise the expected patterns of an ECG from a healthy child from birth onwards and identify abnormalities.

Interpret abnormal ECG patterns in adults.

Diagnose arrhythmias as an underlying cause of palpitations and syncope. Exploring sinus rhythm, extrasystoles, paroxysmal tachycardia and the importance of a physical examination.

Identifying syncopal episodes attributable to cardiovascular disease as opposed to arrhythmias.

Recognise ECG markers for tachycardias, bradycardias, pre-excitation syndromes, bi-fascicular block, and first-degree block with bundle branch block.

Differentiate between supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles and be able to diagnose broad complex tachycardias, ventricular flutter and fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, and Stokes-Adams attacks.

Recognise and identify symptoms associated with the causes of acute or chronic chest pain in patients who present with myocardial infarction (heart attack), pulmonary embolism, significant central pulmonary embolism, pericarditis, aortic dissection, oesophageal rupture, spinal disorders, vertebral collapse, posterior infarction, and angina.

Recognise symptoms indicative of conditions such as pulmonary oedema, chest diseases, and pulmonary congestion.

Safely and competently set up an ECG machine

Introduce patients to the ECG test, adhering to compliancy requirements before and after testing

Perform an ECG test to national guidelines

Understand basic traces and their correlation to cardiac issues

Recognise normal and erroneous recordings

Recognise recordings that require urgent medical follow-up

Complete the recording and label (or record digital copies) as per guidelines

Appreciate normal and abnormal ECG variations in the context of varying pathologies.

Be able to determine whether an arrhythmia has an underlying cause that requires medical intervention.

Interpret ECGs as a function of the patient's ongoing cardiac management.

Understand and apply the Burce Protocol exercise test in relevant clinical situations.

Know how to clinically respond to a patient with chest pain including further investigations required, pain relief, history and examination and echocardiogram.

Understand and apply the fundamental principles of arrhythmia management.

Understand the primary causes of heart disease and the diagnostic process.

Appreciate the importance of the ECG as a diagnostic tool alongside the patient’s history and clinical presentation and recognising its limitations.