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PGY-1 Ultrasound Rotation

Welcome to your PGY-1 ultrasound rotation! This is a two-week rotation designed to help you get more comfortable using point-of-care ultrasound at the bedside. The goal is not perfection. The goal is practice, repetition, feedback, and learning how ultrasound can help you answer focused clinical questions in real time.

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Rotation Length

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2 weeks​

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ACGME Milestone

Uses goal-directed, focused ultrasound for the bedside diagnostic evaluation of emergency medical conditions, resuscitation of the acutely ill or injured patient, and procedural guidance.

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What to Expect During the Rotation

During this rotation, you will spend time scanning with ultrasound faculty, completing online learning modules, reviewing images, attending didactics, and presenting ultrasound-related cases or articles. You will get direct feedback during scanning shifts and have a chance to improve your image acquisition and interpretation throughout the block.

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Rotation Requirements

Please complete the following during your two-week rotation:

  • Attend 10 six-hour scanning shifts during ultrasound faculty scanning sessions.

  • Complete the Day 1–10 online modules.

  • Complete and interpret at least 50 ultrasound scans.

  • Attend the weekly didactic session on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

  • Present your assigned journal club article.

  • Present an interesting ultrasound case.

  • Attend cadaver lab, if one is scheduled during your rotation.

  • Complete the assigned ACEP Sonoguide self-study sections:

    • Physics

    • FAST

    • Aortic Aneurysm

    • Cardiac

    • Gallbladder

    • Renal

    • Early Pregnancy​

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Ultrasound Scan Requirement

During the rotation, each resident should complete and interpret at least 50 ultrasound scans.

The goal is to get broad exposure across the core emergency ultrasound applications. It is very easy to end up doing mostly cardiac and FAST exams, so use the targets below to help guide your scanning during the rotation. If you are short in a category, make that your focus during your next scanning shift.

These numbers are meant to guide variety, not create stress. Some shifts will naturally have more of one type of scan than another. Do your best to get close to the targets and ask ultrasound faculty for help finding opportunities in categories you are missing.

Suggested Scan Targets

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A few tips

  • Save every scan, even if the images are not perfect.

  • Label and interpret your studies thoughtfully.

  • Try to scan both normal and abnormal findings when possible.

  • If you are falling behind in one category, let the ultrasound faculty know early so we can help you find cases.

  • Use the rotation to practice image acquisition, but also to think about how the scan changes bedside decision-making.

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Ultrasound Case Presentation

Each resident will present one interesting ultrasound case during the rotation.

Presentations should be in PowerPoint or Keynote format and should be:

  • 5–8 minutes

  • No more than 10 slides

  • Focused on the ultrasound findings and key teaching points

A suggested format:

  • 1 slide: HPI, exam, and vital signs

  • 2–3 slides: Bedside ultrasound images

  • 1–2 slides: Formal radiology images, if relevant

  • 1 slide: Follow-up or patient outcome

  • 1–2 slides: Teaching points about the ultrasound findings or diagnosis

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Goals and Objectives

By the end of the rotation, you should be able to:

  • Understand basic ultrasound machine use and “knobology,” including how to optimize your images.

  • Obtain adequate images for the core emergency ultrasound applications.

  • Troubleshoot difficult scans and look for alternate views when needed.

  • Perform and interpret common emergency ultrasound exams, including:

    • eFAST for trauma

    • Intrauterine pregnancy

    • Aorta

    • Cardiac ultrasound for pericardial effusion

    • Gallbladder

    • Renal and bladder ultrasound for hydronephrosis

    • DVT

    • Lung ultrasound for pneumothorax or pulmonary edema

    • Ocular ultrasound for retinal detachment

    • Procedural guidance for line placement

  • Recognize when an image is limited or inadequate and ask for help when needed.

  • Communicate important ultrasound findings to patients and the medical team.

  • Approach ultrasound exams with respect, compassion, and professionalism.

  • Attend all required clinical and educational sessions on time.

  • Complete all rotation requirements by the end of the block.

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Core Competencies Addressed

This rotation includes the following ACGME core competencies:

Patient Care: Providing compassionate, appropriate, and effective patient care.

Medical Knowledge: Applying clinical knowledge and ultrasound principles to patient care.

Practice-Based Learning: Using feedback, image review, and evidence-based resources to improve your scanning and interpretation.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Communicating ultrasound findings clearly with patients, families, consultants, and the care team.

Professionalism: Demonstrating respect, integrity, accountability, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.

Systems-Based Practice: Understanding how ultrasound fits into the larger care system and using it appropriately to support timely, high-value care.

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Feedback

You will receive informal, real-time feedback during scanning shifts. At the end of the rotation, you will also receive a formal evaluation that reviews:

  • Number of scans completed

  • QA results

  • Image acquisition and interpretation

  • Strengths

  • Areas for continued growth

The best way to improve during the rotation is to scan often, save your images, ask questions, and review your scans with faculty.

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