The transoesophageal echocardiography accreditation process represents a joint venture between the British Society of Echocardiography and the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Critical Care (ACTACC). Following successful completion, accreditation is valid for five years.
The process is primarily offered as a service to members of both these specialist societies including cardiologists, sonographers, anaesthetists, intensivists and cardiac surgeons. It is designed to provide a structured framework to assist the echocardiographer in training and set the standards of proficiency for TOE.
The assessment process is designed to test the echocardiographer’s knowledge base, image recognition and acquisition skills, report writing skills and haptic knowledge.
The accreditation process includes both written and practical sections. The written section of the assessment is held once year at Pearson Vue centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The practical assessment will be held approximately 4 times per year in various cardiology departments around the country.
Further details of the requirements to successfully complete accreditation can be found in the accreditation pack.