While the recent expansion of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has occurred throughout the healthcare field, in years past, one area of focus that has seen substantial growth is the use of POCUS to diagnose musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and disorders.
As a non-invasive modality that can be used to provide real-time diagnostic insights at the point of care, POCUS can help practitioners and doctors identify and evaluate a multitude of MSK conditions such as joint fluid, tendinosis, bursitis, and more. With increasing global awareness of the advantages associated with this modality, progressively more healthcare professionals, from those who focus on MSK POCUS to those who occasionally utilize it in their practice, have expressed interest in adding this modality to their toolbox.
The Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certification Academy™ (PCA) answered the request of the healthcare community by launching its new POCUS Musculoskeletal (MSK) Certification in January of 2021.
Through this online certification program, clinicians have the opportunity to receive independent validation in three specialty MSK areas: upper extremity, soft tissue, and lower extremity. The format of this program allows healthcare professionals with specific MSK focus areas to pursue the applicable certificate, and provide others the chance to receive the certification, which includes all three MSK specialty areas.
The POCUS MSK Certification is geared towards a community of healthcare providers. Specifically, PCA’s certification is designed for healthcare professionals in physical therapy, sports medicine, orthopedics, and other specialties who utilize MSK POCUS and are interested in demonstrating their skill set in a simulated real-world setting.
PCA’s MSK POCUS certification is still in its youth. However, its value has already been recognized by medical publications and the MSK community.
A news release published by The Journal of Practical Medical Imaging and Management describes how it “provides a new measure of proficiency, raising the standard of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging by testing on best practices for practical application.”
In the same release, Gregory Fitz, PT, DPT, RMSK of EchoHealth Musculoskeletal Imaging explained the significance of certifications like PCA’s.
“There are few quality and relevant venues for learning MSKUS in physical therapy,” said Fitz. “As a pioneer recipient of the MSK certification, I am a strong early advocate of demonstrating evidentiary knowledge through certification like those at the POCUS Certification Academy.”
With 90-days to complete a certificate or 180 days for the certification, the online, year-round format of the POCUS MSK Certification empowers candidates to choose when they want to complete the program. Additionally, immediately following completion, they are informed of their passed or failed status.
To help support healthcare professionals interested in pursuing the MSK Certification, PCA partnered with Healcerion to create the MSKUS21 Bundle. Healthcare professionals can purchase their POCUS device and the MSK certification at a 40% discount through this bundle. This deal is currently being offered for 2021, with the intent to continue it into 2022 if the MSK community is interested.
As the use of MSK POCUS continues to become more prevalent, patients are benefiting, and more healthcare professionals recognize the advantages it offers. PCA’s POCUS MSK Certification provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to show their expertise surrounding this modality.
To learn more about the POCUS MSK Certification, visit the webpage here!
Certify your POCUS MSK Skills with the POCUS MSK Certification!
