Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography
at
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Preparing fellows with the clinical, operational, and teaching skills to lead.
Program Philosophy & Clinical Structure
Our fellowship prepares graduates for leadership roles in ultrasound education, program development, and clinical practice. We offer a unique training model that balances high-level academic teaching with high-acuity independent practice in diverse environments.
Primary Clinical Site (Critical Access/Rural): The fellow’s primary clinical site is at our critical access facility (Erlanger Western Carolina). This site offers unique exposure to POCUS in a high-acuity, resource-limited environment with limited backup, fostering independence and clinical excellence. To support this work, the facility was recently upgraded with a brand new Philips Flash 5100 system featuring a robust complement of probes.
Tertiary Center (Academic/Teaching): While fellows do not work clinical attending shifts at the tertiary center (Erlanger Baroness), it serves as the hub for their educational development. Fellows spend significant time here scanning with residents, medical students, and other learners, focusing on advanced bedside scanning techniques and developing elite teaching skills.
Education & Curriculum
Fellow education incorporates a blend of hands-on, didactic, and simulation-based training designed to support progressive learning.
Core Educational Tools & Methods
- Flipped Classroom: Extensive use of flipped classroom methodology with access to the full complement of Core Ultrasound courses.
- Simulation: Training on the Vimedix simulator for advanced cardiac, abdominal, and procedural ultrasound simulation.
- Anatomy Lab: Nerve block workshops conducted in the cadaver anatomy lab.
- Image Review & QA: Weekly sessions with faculty. The program reviews at least 10% of all ultrasound scans performed in the system for broader quality assurance.
- Multidisciplinary Exposure: Opportunities for digital image review, ICU ultrasound rounds, and scanning in vascular and echo labs.
Teaching Experience
Fellows become educators from day one, with responsibilities including:
- Leading the 4-week PGY-1 EM ultrasound rotation.
- Delivering 6 resident didactic lectures.
- Hosting an ultrasound journal club.
- Resident and medical student POCUS teaching (bedside instruction and lectures).
- Designing and teaching peripheral IV access courses for nursing and paramedic staff.
Fellow Duties & Requirements
Fellows are deeply involved in quality improvement, research, and systems-based ultrasound projects.
- Clinical Volume: Complete 6 resident scanning shifts per month.
- Scan Numbers: Perform 1,000 ultrasounds. 50% of scans will be over-read by the director utilizing SonoClipShare.
- Research: Initiate and present one ultrasound research project at a national conference.
- Admin: Assist in organizing faculty ultrasound workshops and tracking credentialing requirements.
Program At-A-Glance
Positions Per Year: 2
Clinical Sites (6 Total):
Additional Opportunities
Conferences: Opportunities exist for national conference attendance and academic presentation.
Workshops: Fellows may be asked to participate in local, national, or international ultrasound workshops and regional education events.