13 January 2012

Happy New Year! As an ASA member you will, no doubt, be pleased to know that we are anticipating an exciting 2012 during which we will build on the successes of past years and introduce new benefits and services. Development of our 2012/15 Strategic Plan is progressing and we are eagerly awaiting the results of our Member Satisfaction Survey to inform these plans. Be sure to keep an eye out for more details in coming weeks.

As always, through your monthly e-mode we aim to bring you up to date on all events, Branch announcements and insights relevant to sonographers. Make sure you visit the ASA website for more information on what’s coming up in January and make the most of your ASA membership.

• ASA roundup

• Sonography roundup

• ASA events
   

The ASA encourages contributions from members who may have news items, updates, information or opportunities of interest to members. Contributions can be emailed to the ASA Member Services Officer. Please note, the decision to publish in e-mode is at the discretion of the ASA.
 

ASA roundup
 

Complete the ASA Member Satisfaction Survey and win
Time is running out so don’t miss the chance to have your say. The ASA values the support and contribution of its members and each year the ASA Member Satisfaction Survey provides us with valuable feedback as to how we can better meet your needs. Information gained from the annual survey ensures we can continue to tailor and improve our range of membership benefits and develop new benefits to suit your needs. We encourage you to take approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey online and go into the draw to win a $150 voucher.
 

Nominations close soon for the 2012 ASA Awards of Excellence

There is no higher honour than being acknowledged by your peers and the peak body for sonographers. Simply receiving a nomination for an ASA Award of Excellence is a memorable career milestone. Having set extraordinary benchmarks for best practice in sonography, nominees for our prestigious 2012 ASA Awards of Excellence will be recognised as leaders of our profession.

Now is the time to consider who you will nominate for:

• Sonographer of the Year (ACT, NSW, NT, NZ, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA)

• Mentor of the Year

• Trainer of the Year

• Graduate Sonographer of the Year

• Researcher of the Year

• Employer of the Year

Nominations close 17 February
 

New members – join before 1 March and save
As a valued member of the ASA, you join almost 3,200 members who have access to a range of benefits including discounts on education and events, PD-asa, advocacy and representation, insurance, information and resources. Every new member confirms our status as the peak body for sonographers and further strengthens the ASA’s mandate to represent and advocate on behalf of the entire profession. Encourage your colleagues to join before 1 March 2012 to receive up to 50% off the current membership fee (for membership up to 30 June 2012).

Find out more.
 

Set your student sonographers up for success

Did you know ASA student membership is free to eligible students. Reduced rates apply to ASA Student members attending ASA meetings, conferences and asawebinars. By supporting the next generation of sonographers, we are actively encouraging involvement in the profession through a rewarding association with the ASA.
Find out more
 

ASA2012 Canberra – call for papers closes 17 February
With prizes and grants of up to $5,000 available, presenting a paper or poster is the ultimate way to share ideas and gain recognition for your expertise among fellow professionals. Submit your presentation, research, case study or poster and:

• enhance your skills and take the next step in your career

• research new or different ideas that could make a real difference to workplaces across Australia

• promote discussion and receive input from your peers

• increase your potential by meeting contacts and colleagues in your profession

• share your ideas and participate in educating other members of the sonographic community

• enrich the experience of delegates by contributing to the collaborative learning environment that all delegates value.

Call for papers close 17 February
 

PD-asa – Now is the time to rethink how you manage your CPD in 2012
Shortly you will receive your ASAR renewals notice. Completion of your ASAR renewal is an important aspect of your accreditation process and is a great opportunity to rethink how you manage your CPD. PD-asa is the CPD program specifically designed for sonographers and is the only program to offer the flexibility to cater for all sonographers no matter where you are in your career or personal life.

• PD-asa offers the flexibility to participate at a level that suits you

• PD-asa caters for all sonographers no matter where you are in your career or personal life; and

• PD-asa provides the personalised support to help you manage and log your CPD activity
   

When you choose PD-asa you have the flexibility to choose the PD-asa pathway that suits you:

• PD-asa Essentials (40 points per triennium)

• PD-asa Endeavour (15 points per yearly cycle)

• PD-asa Extension (40 points per yearly cycle)

With ASAR renewals now due, there is no better time to consider which CPD program best supports your professional development in 2012.

Find out more
 

Sonography roundup

Churchill Fellowship - applications close 29 February
Applications for the 2012 Churchill Fellowships are now open and are available to support Australians in all fields whose expertise and contribution to their field would be enhanced by an overseas investigative project. Around 100 fellowships are offered annually and provide funding for four to six weeks overseas travel between September 2012 and August 2013. Find out more and consider applying for a fellowship to undertake a project that would contribute to your profession’s body of knowledge.

Victorian 2012 Rural Allied Health Postgraduate Scholarship program
The Rural Allied Health Postgraduate Scholarship Program supports rural allied health practitioners in Victoria who have demonstrated their involvement in, and commitment to, rural allied health practice to improve their skills and expertise through postgraduate studies. For more information visit Victorian Healthcare Association.

Victorian CPD Rural Allied Health Practitioners subsidy program
The CPD Subsidy Fund is available to assist Victorian allied health practitioners currently working in a publicly funded health service in rural Victoria to participate in conferences and skills development opportunities relevant to the development and provision of rural health services. This program may be suitable for those wishing to attend ASA2012 Canberra. For more information visit Victorian Healthcare Association.

SARRAH Scholarships
The 2012 NAHSSS Allied Health Scholarships are now open.
Find out more.

Rural Health Continuing Education Program applications close 1 March
Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, the program supports qualified health professionals working in rural and remote Australia to undertake continuing professional development and inter-professional learning activities.

Find out more.
 

ASA events
 

ASA2012 Canberra – early bird discount closes 16 March
As the premier education event for Australian sonographers, the ASA’s 19th Annual National Conference delivers a forum where innovative ideas can be shared and discussed, as well as providing the ideal environment for professional networking. ASA2012 Canberra seeks to capture the knowledge and explore some of the developments which are shaping today's sonographers.

Explore the ASA2012 Canberra education program and start planning your conference experience. With a broad range of distinguished speakers including a faculty of Australia’s most experienced sonographers leading our multi-disciplinary program, ASA2012 Canberra promises exciting, interactive and informative presentations focusing on the areas that are of most importance to sonographers.

Dates for your diary:

• Friday 17 February – Call for papers closes

• Friday 16 March – Early bird registration closes

• Thursday 24 May – ASA Masterclass Series

• 25-27 May – ASA2012 Canberra
   

Broaden your horizons and register now for ASA2012 Canberra.
 

ASA Masterclass Series - Thursday 24 May, register now
Designed to address the non-clinical challenges of managing in the modern environment, the ASA Masterclass Series has advanced to become an independent event held the day prior to ASA2012 Canberra. Register now for:

• Leadership and training development - identify internal and external barriers that affect training, supervision, coaching and mentoring.

• Research and the sonographer - an overview of qualitative and quantitative research designs

• Dealing with difficult situations - develop strategies for communicating difficult results to a patient
   

Limited places available so avoid disappointment and register early either with your ASA2012 Canberra registration or via the ASA calendar.
 

Cardiac Day – ASA2012 Canberra Saturday 26 May
This one day program will optimise the learning outcomes for all delegates and showcase a variety of sessions aimed at specialist cardiac sonographers. Find out more.
 

asawebinars - online education delivered in real-time
The ASA recognises the importance of accessible and affordable high quality continuing professional development to ensure you achieve excellence in sonography. .

Sonography of the breast - Wednesday 29 February 8.30pm-9.30pm AEDT
Presented by Jenny Parkes, the asawebinar will focus on the sonography of the breast and will include extended techniques and multimodality cases. Find out more.

Sonography of the athletic pubulgia – Wednesday 28 March 7.30pm-8.30pm AEDT
Presented by Le-Anne Grimshaw, the asawebinar will provide overview of the spectre of injuries which may be presented and will include useful references and techniques. Find out more.
 

SIG2012 Gold Coast – 11-12 August
The eighth annual Special Interest Group seminar of the ASA, SIG2012 Gold Coast offers targeted and comprehensive plenary presentations, workshops and panel discussions via a highly engaging conference program. This two-day seminar is designed to bring together specialists sonographers, medical, surgical and allied health professionals and will provide the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in two designated fields of sonography - vascular and obstetrics.

Dates for your diary:

2 April – Program launch and registration

June – Early bird registration closes

10 August – ASA Masterclass Series

11-12 August SIG Gold Coast

ASA Travelling Workshops
The popular Travelling Workshop series is returning for 2012, with new locations and presenters.
 

Please note: Dates and topics are subject to change.

Branch and Sub-branch meetings
Visit the ASA website for the full 2012 calendar of Branch and Sub-branch meetings.

 

Branch or Sub-branch	Topic	Date	Proudly supported by:	PD-asa point/ ASAR credits
Western Australia Branch education meeting	Contrast imaging – the Royal Perth Hospital experience and The future of sonography	1 February	Siemens	1.5
Goulburn Valley Sub-branch education meeting	Paediatric sonography and The future of sonography	4 February		3.0
Queensland Branch education meeting	Musculoskeletal sonography half day workshop – elbow, wrist, foot and ankle	11 February	GE Healthcare	3.0
Victoria Branch education meeting	Hips	21 February		1.5
New South Wales Branch education meeting	General abdominal	21 February		1.0
South Australia Branch education meeting	The secrets of paediatric sonography – unlocking the Da Vinci code	6 March		1.0

Please note: Dates and topics are subject to change.

The next e-mode
The next edition of e-mode will be circulated on 3 February.

Spread the word
Do you like what the ASA is doing? Spread the word! We encourage you to print this email or forward it to your colleagues to spread the word about what's happening within the ASA.
 

Australian Sonographers Association

 National Office

PO Box 709  Moorabbin  Vic  3189

P: 03 9585 2996   F: 03 9585 2331

  www.a-s-a.com.au   members@a-s-a.com.au

Subscribe                  Unsubscribe

Copyright
The Australian Sonographers Association provides this publication as an electronic email service to you ("Recipient"). The Australian Sonographers Association grants to the Recipient a limited right to use this communication, including making a print copy for the Recipient's records. The privacy of your contact details is important to us. View the ASA's Privacy Policy.