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STEP Ultrasound Certificate Program

Take the Next STEP in Your Ultrasound Education

Designed by physiatrists, for physiatrists, the STEP Ultrasound Certificate Program is a multi-tiered training program that teaches and assesses MSK and neurologic ultrasound skills using a progressive, competency-based curriculum. Participants move through a series of three steps in diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, completing each component through a combination of learning formats.  Participants who complete all of the required steps will earn a Certificate of Completion.

Successful completion of the STEP Ultrasound Program will clearly demonstrate to your patients, fellow health care professionals, employers, and the medical facilities you work with that you are committed to performing high quality diagnostic and interventional ultrasound procedures. It is the only formal, standardized training pathway, other than residency and fellowship training, available for honing and validating your ultrasound skill set.

 

When you earn the STEP Ultrasound Program Certificate, you:

  • Perform ultrasound with confidence
  • Communicate a commitment to patient care and safety
  • Enhance your career opportunities
  • Gain visibility and credibility in the field
  • Reassure patients and employers that you are committed to pursing excellence in Ultrasound

Who Should Participate

Physiatrists who received limited ultrasound training during residency and general physiatrists looking to add diagnostic and interventional ultrasound to their practice.

View Our Elite Graduates

STEP 1: Fundamentals

The STEP Ultrasound Certificate Program consists of three steps, each with the accompanying activities noted below. All steps and their accompanying activities must be completed in the order as outlined below. 

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  1. Online Pre-test with 25 questions
    • Must be completed prior to live Step One Course; no minimum passing score
    • Access provided 30 days prior to the live Step One Course
  2. Online Fundamentals Precourse lectures
    • Watch before attending live Step One Course
    • Access provided 30 days prior to the live Step One Course
  3. Step One: Ultrasound Clinical Applications of the Extremities Course

  4. Online Post-test with the same 25 questions as the pre-test
    • Will provide CME and Maintenance of Certification® (MOC®) Part II Self-Assessment credit
    • 70% minimum passing score required

STEP 2: Interventional

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  1. Online Interval Pre-test with new 25 questions
    • No minimum passing score
    • Must be completed by STEP participants to unlock and access the online curriculum activities 
  2. Online Curriculum:
    • AMSSM Sports Ultrasound videos (35 total) = 14.50 CME credits
    • Neuromuscular Ultrasound videos (22 total) = 6.25 CME credits
    • Ultrasound Coding and Billing online lecture = .75 CME credits
    • Case log 
  3. Next Step Interventional Ultrasound Course: Hands-On PM&R Applications (15.50 MOC® Part II Self-assessment Credits)

  4. Online Interval Post-test with the same 25 questions as pre-test
    • Will provide CME and MOC Part II self-assessment credit
    • 70% minimum passing score required

Once participants have completed the required activities from the online program and attended the Next Step Interventional Course, you will advance to Step 3.

STEP 3: Assessment and Certificate

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  1. Online Final Post-test with 50 questions
    • 80% minimum passing score required
  2. One-on-one hands-on skills assessment
    • Passing score will be required

Once you complete and pass both components you will receive your Ultrasound STEP certificate.

Partial support of the STEP Ultrasound Certificate Program has been provided through educational grants from AbbVie and Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, in compliance with ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence.

Partial support of the Next Step Interventional Ultrasound: Hands-on PM&R Applications course has been provided through educational grants from Merz Therapeutics, in compliance with ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence.

Partial support of the Next Step Interventional Ultrasound: Hands-on PM&R Applications course has been provided through in-kind support from Konica Minolta and SonoSite, in compliance with ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence.

 

2023 STEP Ultrasound Support Opportunities