Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about the EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Programme, including suitability, preparation, accreditation alignment, course access, certificates, post-course support and practical course details.
Still need help after reviewing the questions below? Please contact us using the EchoMasters contact form.
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Programme is designed for clinicians and early-career cardiac physiologists who are new to echocardiography or still building confidence with image acquisition.
You do not need previous formal echo training. The programme starts with structured pre-course preparation, then builds your confidence through supervised live scanning, practical image acquisition, simulator-based pathology recognition, and clear guidance from experienced instructors.
The aim is not to make you an expert in two days – it is to give you a safe, structured foundation so you can begin your echo journey with clarity, confidence, and a clear understanding of what to practise next.
What makes this course different from others?
Many echocardiography courses focus on either theory or hands-on exposure. EchoMasters is built differently: it combines structured preparation, intensive supervised scanning, and optional post-course reinforcement.
The aim is not simply to attend a course. The aim is to arrive prepared, practise deliberately, receive direct feedback, and leave with a clearer structure for image acquisition, interpretation and clinical decision-making.
What makes the EchoMasters approach different:
- Pre-course preparation: structured online learning before the hands-on weekend, so your practical time is not wasted on basic orientation.
- High hands-on intensity: two days focused on supervised scanning, image acquisition, probe correction and practical echo drills.
- Ultra-small group training: typically 3–4 delegates per instructor to protect feedback quality and scanning time.
- Simulator-based pathology recognition: exposure to important red flags and clinical patterns beyond normal volunteer scanning.
- Structured reporting and clinical reasoning: teaching focused not only on acquiring images, but also on communicating findings clearly and defensibly.
For delegates choosing the All-Inclusive or Executive pathways, the learning continues after the course through 12-month access to the Interactive Learning Hub. The Executive pathway also includes private online mentorship sessions.
In short: EchoMasters is designed as a learning pathway, not a one-off attendance course.
When will I receive the pre-course modules?
You will receive access to the pre-course modules after registration.
For upcoming cohorts, access is usually released once the pre-course portal is opened for that cohort, giving delegates time to review the core lessons before attending the hands-on weekend.
The pre-course modules are designed to help you arrive better prepared, with a clearer understanding of probe handling, image optimisation, standard views and the clinical structure of the course.
If you have registered and cannot see your access, please check your EchoMasters library first, then contact the EchoMasters team if needed.
Do I get support after the 2-day course?
Yes, depending on the pathway you choose.
All delegates receive structured teaching during the hands-on weekend, including supervised scanning, feedback, image acquisition guidance, simulator-based pathology recognition, and practical reporting discussion.
If you choose the All-Inclusive pathway, you also receive 12 months of access to the EchoMasters Interactive Learning Hub, where you can continue consolidating your learning through case-based resources and practical teaching materials.
If you choose the Executive Mentorship pathway, you receive the 12-month Learning Hub access plus private online mentorship sessions for personalised case review, interpretation discussion and consultant-level feedback.
The Ready & Prepared pathway includes pre-course preparation and the 2-day hands-on course, but does not include the 12-month Learning Hub or private mentorship.
How does this course compare to the FUSIC Heart course?
The EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Course is an Approved FUSIC® Heart Course and aligns with the core principles of focused cardiac ultrasound training for acute and critical care practice.
However, EchoMasters is designed as a broader foundational echocardiography pathway, not just a standalone FUSIC session. The programme is also BSE Level 1 aligned, which means some teaching naturally goes beyond the minimum FUSIC® Heart scope.
Whenever we go beyond the FUSIC® Heart framework during the hands-on course, we clearly highlight this to delegates. This helps learners understand which elements directly support their FUSIC® Heart journey and which elements are included to build wider foundational echo confidence.
How EchoMasters supports FUSIC® Heart learning:
- Approved FUSIC® Heart Course: suitable for clinicians developing focused echo skills within acute, emergency and critical care settings.
- Dedicated FUSIC® Heart teaching: practical sessions, case-based interactive presentations and echo drills are included during the hands-on days to reinforce FUSIC® Heart views, structure and clinical application.
- Focused acute-care approach: teaching is built around the clinical questions, views and decision-making patterns relevant to frontline practice.
- Structured pre-course preparation: online modules help you arrive better prepared for the hands-on scanning sessions.
- High-intensity hands-on training: two days focused on supervised scanning, probe correction, image optimisation and simulator-based pathology recognition.
How EchoMasters goes beyond FUSIC® Heart:
- BSE Level 1 aligned content: additional foundational teaching supports clinicians who want a broader echocardiography base.
- Wider image acquisition and interpretation: teaching includes practical optimisation, standard views, red-flag recognition and structured clinical reasoning.
- Reporting and communication: delegates are taught how to describe and communicate key echo findings clearly and defensibly.
- Post-course reinforcement: available through the All-Inclusive and Executive pathways via 12-month access to the Interactive Learning Hub.
In short, EchoMasters supports your FUSIC® Heart journey while also helping you build wider foundational echo confidence for real clinical practice.
How does this course compare to the BSE Level 1 course?
The EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Course is BSE Level 1 aligned, but it is not a replacement for formal BSE Level 1 accreditation or logbook completion.
The course is designed to help clinicians and early-stage scanners build the practical foundation needed to start their echocardiography journey with more structure, confidence and clinical awareness.
We describe this as BSE Level 1 aligned with EchoMasters enhancements. This means the course supports the core principles expected at foundation level, while also adding practical teaching elements that help delegates apply echo more confidently in real clinical settings.
How EchoMasters supports your BSE Level 1 journey:
- BSE Level 1 aligned teaching: the course introduces core transthoracic views, image acquisition principles, basic measurements and a structured approach to foundation-level echocardiography.
- Dedicated BSE Level 1 practical sessions: during the hands-on days, we include practical sessions, case-based interactive presentations and echo drills that reinforce BSE Level 1 concepts, views and clinical application.
- Practical image acquisition: delegates practise standard transthoracic views through supervised hands-on scanning with direct feedback and probe correction.
- Clinical interpretation: teaching goes beyond simply obtaining images and helps delegates recognise important findings, red flags and common pitfalls.
- Structured reporting and communication mastery: delegates learn how to describe, report and communicate key echo findings clearly, safely and defensibly within a foundation-level scope.
- Simulator-based pathology recognition: the course includes case-based pathology and red-flag recognition to complement live volunteer scanning.
Important distinction:
EchoMasters does not provide a BSE Level 1 logbook, supervised case sign-off, or formal BSE accreditation. If you later pursue formal BSE Level 1 accreditation, you will still need to follow the official BSE requirements independently.
The purpose of EchoMasters is to help you become better prepared for that journey by giving you a structured, practical and clinically relevant foundation before you continue formal workplace-based training or accreditation.
In short, EchoMasters is designed to make you more confident, more organised and more clinically prepared – whether your goal is BSE Level 1, FUSIC® Heart, or safer focused echo use in real clinical practice.
Is this a FUSIC or BSE-accredited course?
The EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Course is an Approved FUSIC® Heart Course.
The course is also BSE Level 1 aligned, but it is not a BSE-accredited course and does not replace formal BSE Level 1 accreditation, logbook completion, workplace supervision, or BSE sign-off requirements.
During the hands-on course, we include dedicated practical sessions, case-based interactive teaching and echo drills to support both FUSIC® Heart learning and BSE Level 1 aligned foundations.
Where the course goes beyond the FUSIC® Heart framework, we clearly highlight this to delegates. This is because EchoMasters is designed to support focused acute-care echo while also helping learners build wider foundational echocardiography confidence.
In short: the course is Approved FUSIC® Heart, BSE Level 1 aligned with EchoMasters enhancements, but not formally BSE-accredited.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. You will receive a certificate of attendance after completing the EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Course.
The certificate confirms your participation in a structured hands-on echocardiography training programme and documents 14 hours of CPD.
Delegates can usually submit their certificate and course details as evidence of CPD activity within their own appraisal, portfolio, employer, college or professional development system, depending on local requirements.
EchoMasters is happy to support delegates by providing relevant course documentation where needed, including the course programme, structure, learning objectives and practical training outline.
The course is an Approved FUSIC® Heart Course and is BSE Level 1 aligned. However, the certificate does not replace formal FUSIC® Heart sign-off, BSE Level 1 accreditation, supervised workplace assessment, or logbook completion.
In short, the certificate confirms attendance, participation and CPD hours, and delegates may use the supporting course documents when submitting CPD evidence through their relevant professional or workplace pathway.
Do I need to bring anything to the Hands-On Course?
No special equipment is required. EchoMasters provides the scanning stations, teaching resources and practical materials needed for the hands-on course.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for practical scanning sessions, as the course involves live scanning, hands-on practice and small-group teaching.
Delegates should complete the pre-course preparation modules before attending, so they arrive familiar with the key concepts, standard views and practical structure of the course.
You do not need to bring printed paperwork unless specifically requested. Any essential joining instructions will be sent to delegates before the course.
What if I can’t make it after registering?
We understand that unexpected situations can happen. However, EchoMasters hands-on places, including both TTE and TOE courses, are highly limited and require significant preparation, venue planning, instructor allocation, equipment organisation, volunteer coordination and pre-course access.
Because of this, once a place is booked, it cannot be treated like a standard online course purchase. Each hands-on seat represents a time-sensitive training place that could otherwise have been offered to another delegate.
If you are unable to attend after registering, please contact us as early as possible.
Where possible, EchoMasters may offer your place to the priority list. Alternatively, you may propose a suitable replacement delegate from your side, subject to EchoMasters approval and completion of the required registration details.
Please note that refunds or transfers to future cohorts are not automatically guaranteed. They depend on timing, operational feasibility, whether the place can be filled, and the terms provided at registration.
For this reason, we strongly recommend booking only when you are confident that you can attend the selected course dates.
Is this a BSE Level 2 course?
No. This is not a BSE Level 2 course.
The EchoMasters Hands-On Foundation Programme is designed for beginners, early-career clinicians, acute-care doctors and early-stage sonographers who want to build confident foundational transthoracic echocardiography skills.
The course is focused on practical, real-world echo use in acute care, emergency, critical care and on-call settings. It is intended to help delegates build a structured foundation in image acquisition, interpretation, red-flag recognition and safe clinical communication.
What this course focuses on:
- Acquiring standard transthoracic echo views used in foundation-level and acute-care practice.
- Understanding probe handling, image optimisation and practical scanning technique.
- Recognising important abnormal findings and high-risk clinical patterns.
- Differentiating normal from abnormal and identifying major red flags at the bedside.
- Building a structured approach to reporting and communicating key findings safely.
What this course does not aim to provide:
- Advanced BSE Level 2 accreditation training.
- Advanced valve quantification or comprehensive valve grading.
- Continuity equation teaching as a core competency.
- Advanced diastology, strain imaging, 3D imaging or comprehensive lab-based echocardiography assessment.
The course may introduce selected concepts such as Doppler and gross assessment of severity where relevant to safe acute-care interpretation, but it does not replace advanced echocardiography training or formal BSE Level 2 accreditation pathways.
In short, EchoMasters Foundation is designed to help you build a strong, safe and clinically useful foundation before progressing to more advanced echocardiography training in the future.
General EchoMasters FAQ
Answers to common questions about EchoMasters courses, access, cancellations, international learners and available learning pathways.
Who are the EchoMasters courses for?
EchoMasters courses are designed for doctors, cardiac sonographers and clinicians who want structured, practical echocardiography training for real clinical practice.
Our current learning pathways include the Hands-On TTE Foundation Programme, the Essential Hands-On TOE Programme, the Hands-On TOE 1:1 Private Intensive, and the Online On-Call Echocardiography Foundation Course.
These courses are suitable for learners across acute medicine, emergency medicine, intensive care, anaesthesia, cardiology, peri-procedural care and early-stage cardiac imaging training.
Whether you are starting your echo journey, preparing for focused echo practice, building TOE confidence, or strengthening your on-call echocardiography skills, EchoMasters provides a structured pathway to help you learn with clarity and practise with confidence.
What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
Online courses: Eligible online courses may be covered by a 30-day conditional satisfaction guarantee, where stated on the relevant course or offer page. This usually applies only if you have viewed less than 20% of the purchased course.
Hands-on courses: EchoMasters hands-on places, including TTE and TOE courses, are highly limited and require significant preparation, venue planning, instructor allocation, equipment organisation, volunteer coordination and pre-course access.
Because of this, once a hands-on place is booked, it cannot be treated like a standard online course purchase. Each hands-on seat represents a time-sensitive training place that could otherwise have been offered to another delegate.
If you are unable to attend after registering, please contact us as early as possible.
Where possible, EchoMasters may offer your place to the priority list. Alternatively, you may propose a suitable replacement delegate from your side, subject to EchoMasters approval and completion of the required registration details.
Please note that refunds or transfers to future cohorts are not automatically guaranteed. They depend on timing, operational feasibility, whether the place can be filled, and the terms provided at registration.
If EchoMasters has to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances, delegates will be offered appropriate options in line with the relevant course terms.
We strongly recommend booking a hands-on course only when you are confident that you can attend the selected course dates.
Can international learners join the courses?
Yes. EchoMasters welcomes international learners.
Our online courses, free learning resources and digital materials are accessible internationally, so learners outside the UK can benefit from EchoMasters teaching wherever they are based.
Our hands-on TTE and TOE courses are currently delivered in the UK. International delegates are welcome to attend, but they are responsible for arranging their own travel, accommodation, visa requirements and any local professional or employer permissions needed to attend.
If you are planning to travel for a hands-on EchoMasters course, please contact us if you need general information about the course venue or programme structure.
I still have questions — how can I reach out?
You can use the Contact Form on our website or email us directly at [email protected].
If you've previously submitted a form and need to follow up, feel free to reach out by email for a smoother response.