Fellow
The length of training is one-two years, and there may be opportunities to obtain additional advanced degrees. Emergency ultrasound (EUS) fellowship is a designation of focused practice emergency medicine (EM) subspecialty. The accreditation guidelines for programs and the certifying exam are being created and will likely be live in the next two-three years. A key goal is to prepare a skillset to lead an EUS program. This includes thorough knowledge of advanced scanning techniques, administrative, research, and teaching skills. Check out the Society of Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships (SCUF) website and the EUSFellowships website to get details of individual programs, including graduation criteria, salary/funds, clinical duties, number of ultrasound faculty, and more.
Example Program Criteria
- Perform ultrasound examinations (i.e. >1000 examinations).
- Perform ultrasound-related research for publication and/or presentation.
- Understand how to run quality improvement/quality assurance programs.
- Know the elements necessary for machine purchases and maintenance.
Community vs. Academic Career Options
Community career options include becoming an Emergency Ultrasound Director. Those with more interest in research and education may consider academic career options over community career options. Academic career options include becoming an Emergency Ultrasound Director, EUS Fellowship Director, EUS faculty, or undergraduate or graduate medical education leadership.
Elements to Consider in a Fellowship Program
- Note that an EM ultrasound fellow will be working as a faculty member, with clinical responsibilities at the attending level. Consider programs with this in mind.
- How many faculty are in the division?
- Who educates the fellow?
- What are your clinical responsibilities? What additional duties do you have (i.e. teaching, administration)?
- What ultrasound machines are available and why? Who owns and maintains the machines?
Insider Advice
"In this academically enriching year as an ultrasound fellow, I spent so much time 'throwing myself' into diverse aspects of point-of-care ultrasound. I felt inspired by the creative and intellectually curious members of the ultrasound community to learn advanced skills, devour the latest knowledge via literature and FOAM, and attend engaging conferences around the world. These experiences spurred my own creativity for writing and design, and have further pointed me toward this career path in ultrasound education that I truly enjoy and does not feel like 'work.'"
-Stephen Alerhand, MD
