Sonographer

Sonographers are diagnostic medical professionals who operate ultrasonic imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans, videos, or 3D volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data. Sonography requires specialized education and skills to view, analyze and modify the scan to optimize the information in the image. Because of the high levels of decisional latitude and diagnostic input, sonographers have a high degree of responsibility in the diagnostic process. In order to practice diagnostic medical sonography, professional certification is required in many countries. Sonographers require an excellent understanding in ultrasound physics, cross sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and communication skills; as well as highly developed psycho-motor skills that are specific to the profession.

During their careers sonographers may acquire some form of work-related musculoskeletal injury due to scanning in compromised positions, incorrect gripping of the transducer, spending too much time to manipulate the transducer on technically difficult exams such as obese or large pregnant patients and a lack of upper body fitness. ^{[1] [2]}

Sonographer is the preferred term for the specialised healthcare practitioner who performs Diagnostic Medical Sonography or diagnostic ultrasound. The alternative term ultrasonographer is in much less common use.^[3][4] The terms Ultrasound Technologist and Ultrasound Technician are deprecated.

Training and licensing

Australia

The Australian Sonographers Association (ASA) was formed in 1992 in response to the desire of Sonographers across Australia for an organisation which had as its charter, to exclusively represent and consider the issues confronting and challenging sonographers in the Australian healthcare environment. The ASA now has a membership of more than 2,900 sonographers and about 40 corporate members. The ASA has pledged to pursue high standards within the practice of Medical Sonography. The ASA has a structure of a Board of Directors and multiple representative Branches in all Australian states.

Australian sonographers must be accredited by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR). ASAR’s brief is to accredit and re-accredit on a regular basis, post-graduate ultrasound programs offered by Australian Universities (and the DMU), and to establish the criteria against which those programs and any other future Australian and New Zealand programs are to be judged. In addition a register of accredited (AMS) and student (ASS) sonographers is maintained and their continuing professional development (CPD) activities monitored and recorded.

The Health Insurance Commissison in association with the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) introduced in 2002 a program of accreditation and continuing professional education for sonographers. The ASAR recognises registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board as appropriate accreditation for Orthoptists to undertake sonography in relation to ocular structures.

Canada

The vast majority of Canadian sonographers are educated at one of ten CMA accredited training programs across the country. The Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals(CARDUP) registers sonographers in three credentials: Generalist, Cardiac, and Vascular. To become registered, eligible sonographers must successfully meet CARDUP's clinical and academic requirements. CARDUP registered sonographers must also document their continuing education by maintaining a minimum 30 continuing medical education credits every three years.

United Kingdom

In the UK sonographers are also responsible for the interpretation of the images and issue diagnostic reports. Sonographers in the UK are educated to a high level, training itself is delivered as a MSc/PGDip/PGCert by the universities and overseen by the Consortium for Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE.), as training is delivered at post graduate level all sonographers must have a batchelor degree or equivalent prior to undertaking this specialism, this means training can take a minimum of 4 years. There is currently no requirement for a Sonographer to be state registered in the UK, although the majority are registered with the Health Professions Council as a Radiographer. State registration of Sonographers in their own right is being eagerly sought by the profession.

Within the United Kingdom, Sonographers are employed by the Hospitals with in the National Health Service, by private companies offering healthcare services, or as temporary staff through specialised Employment agency, such as "About Health Professionals" and "Sonographers Medical Ltd".

United States

In the United States the most widely accepted sonographic education is provided by CAAHEP/JRC-DMS accredited programs. The profession is sub-divided in specialties such as cardiac, obstetrical, vascular, and general sonographers. General sonographers are registered in abdominal and/or obstetric and gynecologic sonography. ^[5] There are two credentialing bodies in the United States for sonographers, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) with over 60,000 registrants and Cardiovascular Credentialing International. Both the ARDMS and CCI have earned the prestigious ANSI-ISO 17024 accreditation for certifying bodies from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Accreditation is granted through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Recognition of ARDMS programs in providing credentials has also earned the ARDMS accreditation with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is the accrediting arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). Established in 1977 as a nonprofit organization, NOCA is a leader in setting quality standards for certifying organizations.

Elsewhere

Certifications in sonography after examinations administered by the ARDMS and Cardiovascular Credentialing International are recognized and administered in some countries elsewhere.

In most non-English speaking countries (notable exceptions Netherlands and Sweden) ultrasound examinations are performed by doctors in their respective specialisation.

References

1. ^ David S., BSRT,"Importance of Sonographers Reporting Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury, A Qualitative View" University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, Journal of Diagnostic Medical SonographyMay 2005 vol. 21 no. 3 234-237
2. ^ Joan P. Baker "The History of Sonographers" JUM January 2005 24:1-14
3. ^ Advance for Imaging and Radiation Professionals
4. ^ Sonography, What is it?
5. ^ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, USA Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

External links

Professional associations

• Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry
• Australian Sonographers Association
• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
• Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Provider of the Leading Edge Conferences in Diagnostic Ultrasound in Canada
• CAAHEP
• International Orthoptic Association
• Cardiovascular Credentialing International
• British Medical Ultrasound Society
• Information related to ultrasound technician
• Guide to sonogram technician