Principles of MSK-POCUS – Portland

This hands-on introductory workshop at University of Western States in Portland is the first live step in the Musculoskeletal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (MSK-POCUS) certificate pathway offered by UWS with The Chicago School's Office of Continuing Education. It focuses on image acquisition and scanning competency, using standardized scanning protocols modeled after AIUM standards.

The 12-hour program mixes short didactic blocks with supervised scanning labs. It covers diagnostic image acquisition, anisotropy and common artifacts, long- and short-axis imaging, and dynamic examination; probe selection, gain, depth, focus and Doppler settings, plus scanning ergonomics and patient positioning; scanning labs on tendons and muscles (supraspinatus, common extensor and flexor, quadriceps, patellar and Achilles tendons) and on ligaments and peripheral nerves (UCL, lateral ankle ligaments, knee collaterals, median, ulnar and tibial nerves); and complete shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle examinations. It closes with ACR Appropriateness Criteria, when referral imaging is indicated, and a practical and written competency assessment.

Instructors are Dr. Melinda Novak, DC, DACBR, RMSK, who teaches radiology at UWS, and Dr. Patrick Battaglia, DC, DACBR, a chiropractic radiologist with fellowship training in MSK ultrasound. The asynchronous Foundations of MSK-POCUS course is the prerequisite.

Saturday, February 20, 2027, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM and Sunday, February 21, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM Pacific. The program offers 12 PACE CE hours when attended in full. General admission is $800 and is non-refundable.

• •Demonstrate proper ultrasound probe handling, ergonomics, and patient positioning
• •Acquire diagnostic-quality ultrasound images using standardized scanning protocols
• •Optimize image quality through appropriate adjustment of depth, gain, focus, and Doppler settings
• •Perform systematic ultrasound examinations of common musculoskeletal structures
• •Apply principles of appropriate ultrasound utilization in clinical musculoskeletal decision-making