A discussion on the concept of the position of clinical ultrasound director should begin with a basic premise. The title of Director of Clinical Ultrasound for the practice does not need to be an expert in all things ultrasound. It does not require formal education or certification. The most important qualifier for this position is an enthusiasm for ultrasound, and a willingness to do the heavy lifting to make the program successful and improve the care delivered to the practice’s patients. Most often, this is the clinician in the practice who has the most ultrasound experience, regardless of profession.
Where ever there is a POCUS presence, be it in the clinic or in academia, the success of the program depends on leadership to ensure quality, drive the process and act as ultrasound subject matter resource for the practice leadership.
The director and deputy director of the practice’s Clinical Ultrasound Program is also responsible for developing the facility’s Model of Practice, leading the credentialing effort, maintaining the equipment, training new providers and students, insuring the studies are properly coded and billed, updating the practice’s CUS guidelines, tracking the clinician’s CME as well as acting as the primary evaluators and mentors for clinicians in the Proctored Phase of POCUS training.
