Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: education and training
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-10)

Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for staff working in the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme in England.

This guide sets out the education and training requirements for healthcare professionals working in the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme.

It includes links to resources for training and assessment of staff.

1. Health Screener Diploma (HSD)

The level 3 health screener diploma (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-population-screening-diploma-for-health-screeners) is the mandatory training programme for new AAA screening technicians.

Three AAA screening programme specific units are included in the health screener diploma.
- Principles of ultrasound for AAA screening
- Principles of AAA screening and treatment
- Undertake AAA screening unit
The diploma is the recommended national training programme for new screening technicians and successful completion is required to assure the provider of the technician’s competence to undertake screening safely, independently and in line with programme standards.

2. E-learning

E-learning resources developed by the NHS AAA Screening Programme are available on the e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website.

Read about the screening courses (https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/nhs-screening-programmes/) available and sign up for e-Learning for Healthcare (https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Register).
- Introduction to Population Screening (https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/826363) – designed to provide an overview of the NHS National Screening Programmes, which explains what screening is and how screening programmes are implemented in the NHS. Recommended especially for patient-facing staff to increase awareness of the screening pathways to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities
- AAA Clinical Skills Trainer e-learning (https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/446984) – designed to support Clinical Skills Trainers (CSTs) improve screening technician learner experience
- AAA Screening Technician e-learning (https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/459367) – designed to support screening technicians undertaking the Health Screener Diploma (HSD) and those undertaking reassessment
It is expected that all screening e-learning resources will be transferred to the new learning platform. You will be able to access content on the Learning Hub (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/)

3. Semi-independent scanning

Trainee screening technicians may screen men semi-independently within the screening programme while completing the health screener diploma.

Find further guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening-internal-quality-assurance/iqa-framework-and-competence-assessments).

4. Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Framework and Competence Assessments

The Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: internal quality assurance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening-internal-quality-assurance) guidance sets out the framework for image quality assurance and competence assessments in the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme. It explains the internal quality assurance mechanisms in place throughout the training and continuing professional development of screening technicians. It includes six image quality assurance resources to:
- Assess the first 100 scans following initial training
- Record abnormal scans
- Record random scans
- Offer clinical observation and feedback
- Record technicians’ training
- Record technicians’ image quality assurance
5. Clinical Skills Trainer and Internal Quality Assurance Lead

The Clinical skills trainer and internal quality assurance lead: training guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening-clinical-skills-trainer-guide) outlines the duties and requirements of a Clinical Skills Trainer (CST) and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Lead to ensure that all AAA screening staff working in the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme are adequately trained. It includes:
- Pre-requisites for the role of CST/IQA lead
- Role and responsibilities of a CST/IQA lead
- Assessor qualification
- Training of CSTs/IQA leads
6. Education and training: all screening programmes

Find further education and training resources (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-population-screening-education-and-training) for all NHS Screening Programmes.