Australian sonographers are highly skilled and educated medical professionals.
Medical ultrasound is known globally as a diagnostic instrument used by physicians and medical personnel. Australian sonographers are highly trained and skilled medical ultrasound professionals. A sonographer must be registered by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) while performing ultrasound exams for a medical practitioner who accepts Medicare from the examined patient. A bachelor's degree is commonly awarded before taking the medical ultrasound courses. Key professional competencies must be demonstrated in all fields of ultrasound: competent clinical and interpretive skills, knowledge in theoretical and applied physics and the principles of ultrasound instrumentation and Doppler before becoming a candidate for registry.
Instructions
1. Find a postgraduate program in medical ultrasound in Australia that is accredited by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (see Resources). A diploma in medical ultrasonography is offered in cardiac, vascular, general and OB/GYN specialties. Also, master's degrees in medical sonography and several other academic degrees are accepted sonography programs for registry eligibility.
2. Contact each school to find out what their eligibility requirements are; the entrance requirements vary between institutions. Most candidates for postgraduate ultrasound programs must have health-care degrees in nursing, nuclear medicine or medical radiation technology.
3. Become a registered student by the ASAR while in clinical training. Accredited student sonographers (ASS) are able to perform ultrasound examinations in Medicare-designated patient locations under the direct supervision and clinical guidance of a registered sonographer. This credential is necessary for the student to legally acquire the hands-on training needed in sonography.
4. Satisfy all requirements for the Registry of Accredited Medical Sonographers as an applicant by providing proof of Australian/New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency or a valid working visa.
5. Take the registry exam with ASAR. Credentials are issued in one of three specialties: Accredited Medical Sonographers (AMS), Accredited Cerebrovascular Sonographers (ACS) or Accredited Breast Sonographers (ABS).
6. Follow the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program which ensures the registered professional maintains a quality standard. A minimum of 40 points must be accrued every three years in 13 valid groups of activities or educational courses. Accredited student sonographers (ASS) are not required to maintain CPD points; they are actively involved in learning which is a continuing education replacement.
Tags: medical ultrasound, Accreditation Registry, Accredited Medical, Accredited Medical Sonographers, Accredited student
