The NPE Training Academy is a new platform that provides a structured, accredited pathway for training, certification, and professional development in Neonatologist PerformedEchocardiography (NPE). Developed under the umbrella of the European School of Neonatology (ESN) the programme establishes common standards for education, assessment, and clinical practice to support high-quality neonatal cardiovascular care throughout Europe.

Our mission is to improve neonatal cardiovascular care by establishing a European standard for education, competency assessment, certification, and governance in Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE).

As a first step, the programme welcomes NPE Trainers and NPE Training Centers. We will open to trainees in August 2026. 

• Join the NPE Academy

  NPE has become an essential tool in modern neonatal intensive care, providing real-time haemodynamic information that supports diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of critically ill newborns.

  As the use of NPE continues to expand, there is an increasing need for consistent training standards and robust quality assurance. The ESN NPE Academy has been created to address this need by providing a unified governance and educational framework that supports trainees, trainers, and training centres across Europe.

  The Academy promotes excellence in neonatal cardiovascular assessment through evidence-based education, structured workplace learning, and internationally recognised accreditation.
• The Educational Pathway Explained / How it Works in Practice

  The programme aims to ensure that practitioners acquire the knowledge, practical skills and clinical competencies required to safely and effectively perform echocardiographic assessments in neonatal care. The programme is built around accredited trainers and training centres, a competency-based curriculum, practical courses, an electronic portfolio and a formal assessment process.

  1. Accreditation of Trainers and Training Centres

  Neonatologists wishing to act as NPE trainers, as well as hospitals and neonatal units wishing to serve as NPE training centres, must first apply for accreditation through the programme. Applications are reviewed by the NPE Programme Committee to ensure that trainers possess the necessary expertise and experience, and that training centres provide an appropriate clinical environment, equipment, supervision and case exposure. Accredited trainers and centres form the official network of recognised NPE training providers within the programme

  2. Registration of Trainees

  Neonatologists seeking NPE certification may register as trainees within the programme. Following registration, each trainee is matched with an accredited trainer and an accredited training centre. This ensures that all trainees receive structured supervision and training that meets the programme's educational and quality standards.

  3. Access to Learning Resources and Portfolio

  Upon enrolment, trainees and trainers receive access to the programme's online learning platform.

  The platform provides:

  • Training manuals and guidance documents.
  • Educational resources and learning materials.
  • Curriculum requirements and assessment criteria.
  • An electronic portfolio for documenting progress throughout training.

  
  The electronic portfolio serves as the central record of the trainee's development and must be maintained throughout the programme.

  4. Completion of the NPE Training Curriculum

  The trainee and trainer work together to complete the full NPE curriculum, which combines theoretical education, practical training, supervised clinical experience and competency-based assessment. Training activities include:

  • Theoretical learning and self-study.
  • Supervised image acquisition.
  • Interpretation of echocardiographic findings.
  • Clinical integration of NPE into patient management.
  • Completion of required practical assessments and competency milestones.
  • Documentation of cases, scans and educational activities within the online portfolio.

  
  In addition to workplace-based training, trainees are required to complete three structured educational courses.

  a) Introduction Course:

  An introductory programme covering:

  • Fundamentals of NPE.
  • Cardiac ultrasound physics.
  • Neonatal cardiac anatomy.
  • Standard echocardiographic views.
  • Clinical indications for NPE.
  • Hands-on practice using simulators and ultrasound systems.
    
    

  b) Basic Course:

  A comprehensive course designed to build competence in:

  • Neonatal cardiovascular physiology.
  • Structural and functional cardiac assessment.
  • Identification of congenital heart disease red flags.
  • Haemodynamic evaluation.
  • Clinical application of NPE findings.
  • Supervised practical scanning.
    
    

  c) Advanced Course:

  An advanced programme focused on:

  • Complex haemodynamic assessment.
  • Clinical reasoning and interpretation.
  • Patient safety.
  • Case-based learning.
  • Guideline implementation.
  • Integration of NPE into clinical practice.

  
  Throughout the training period, the trainer reviews the trainee's progress, provides feedback and confirms attainment of the required competencies. Trainees are expected to maintain their electronic portfolio documenting clinical experience, scan logs, assessments and reflective learning activities. Successful completion of all curriculum requirements, including the mandatory courses and portfolio requirements, is necessary before progressing to the final assessment stage.

  5. Application for Graduation

  Once all curriculum requirements have been completed and the trainer confirms that the trainee has achieved the required competencies, the trainee may apply for graduation. The NPE Programme Committee reviews the submitted portfolio and supporting documentation to verify that all programme requirements have been fulfilled.

  6. Final Assessment and Certification

  Following approval by the Programme Committee, candidates are invited to sit the final assessment. Final examinations are held during the ESPR's international congresses:
  
  

  • joint European Neonatal Societies Congress (jENS)
  • Congress of the European Paediatric Academic Societies (CEPAS)
    
    

  These congresses take place every two years and alternate with each other, providing regular opportunities for candidates to complete the certification process. Candidates who successfully pass the final assessment are awarded ESPR NPE Certification.
• Competency-Based Training: Joining Theory & Practice

  The Academy uses Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and workplace-based learning to ensure that knowledge, technical skills, and clinical judgement are developed in a structured and measurable way.

  Participants build a professional portfolio including:

  • Echocardiography logbooks
  • Competency assessments
  • Case presentations
  • Reflective learning activities
  • Evidence-based medicine assignments

  
  Progress is monitored through a programme of continuous assessment and supervision.
• Accreditation & Certification

  The European NPE Academy provides a transparent framework for:

  • Training Centres: Recognition of centres that meet defined educational and clinical standards.
  • Trainers: Accreditation of experienced educators and NPE practitioners.
  • Trainees: Structured certification pathways demonstrating competence and professional development.
  • Quality Assurance: Regular review, reaccreditation, and maintenance of professional standards.
• Participation fees

  To ensure the sustainability and quality of the NPE Training Academy, a standard participation fee applies for all participants in the programme.

  Trainees: EUR 500
  Training Centres: EUR 500

  This fee contributes to the development and maintenance of the structured training pathway, including access to the online learning platform, educational resources, portfolio system, and certification framework.

  Kindly note that the NPE hands-on courses will be charged separately.
• Meet the NPE Project Team

  Eirik Nestaas, MD, PhD NPE Project Lead University of Oslo Norway

  Willem-Pieter de Boode, MD, PhD NPE Programme Director Radboud University Medical Center Amalia Children's Hospital Nijmegen  Netherlands

The ESN's European framework for training, accreditation, and best-practice guidance in Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE).

Open call for NPE Trainers & Training Centers: Join the NPE Project! 

The NPE Academy invites expressions of interest from professionals and institutions wishing to become accredited NPE Trainers or NPE Training Centres.

NPE Trainers

We welcome applications from experienced NPE practitioners who are committed to education, supervision, and the advancement of neonatal cardiovascular care.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Significant experience in NPE
• Regular clinical practice in neonatal echocardiography
• Collaboration with paediatric cardiology services
• Commitment to teaching and trainee supervision

Accredited trainers will support workplace learning, competency assessment, and quality assurance within the NPE Academy.

NPE Training Centres

We invite neonatal units and institutions with established NPE practice to join our growing network of accredited training centres.

Training centres should provide:

• Regular neonatal echocardiography services
• Access to appropriate echocardiography equipment and image archiving
• Structured workplace learning opportunities
• Close collaboration with paediatric cardiology services
• A supportive educational environment for trainees
  
  

Building a European Community of Excellence

The European NPE Academy seeks to establish a network of centres and educators dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based neonatal cardiovascular care. We welcome applications from institutions and professionals across Europe who share our commitment to education, patient safety, clinical excellence, and collaboration. Together, we can establish a sustainable and internationally recognised framework for NPE training and accreditation.

Expression of Interest

Professionals and institutions interested in becoming accredited NPE Trainers or NPE Training Centres are warmly invited to submit an expression of interest. Please download the respective appliocation form below, fill-in, and return to the ESPR via office@espr.eu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

• Collaboration / Contact

  The Academy works closely with neonatal, cardiology, and ultrasound communities across Europe and internationally. Through collaboration with the ESN, the ESPR, paediatric cardiology experts, and international stakeholders, the programme promotes harmonised standards and continuous improvement in neonatal cardiovascular care.

  For more information or questions about the project, please contact us at office@espr.eu.