20 January 2012
A great deal is happening in the sonography profession and broader health sector. This month’s advocacy alert provides you with an overview of the ASA’s recent work and the key areas which have the potential to impact you.
ASAR Program Accreditation Guidelines
Review
Members will be aware from recent communication that the Australian
Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Program Accreditation
Guidelines (PAG) were under review during 2011. The ASA actively
advocated for the reviewed PAG to reflect the profession’s expectations
of competency levels of entry level sonographers as detailed in the ASA
competency standards.
ASAR released the
new accreditation framework in late December 2011 which includes
standards for the accreditation of sonographer courses (SASC) and an
accreditation pack for course proponents. We are pleased to note that
the ASAR have specifically identified that the ASA competency standards
are the required level of competency for graduates of accredited
courses.
The ASA is pleased that a robust, transparent review of the PAG has
ensured the new accreditation framework is reflective of the education
and clinical training needs of entry level sonographers in contemporary
Australia.
Whilst the accreditation pack indicates that courses in the VET sector
will be eligible for accreditation if they meet all ASAR requirements,
the ASA will continue to advocate that programs should be delivered in
the higher education (university) sector. At present, the ASA contends
there is insufficient evidence that the VET sector can produce quality
sonographers and that the practices and philosophy of teaching and
learning embedded in the higher education sector more clearly align with
the sonography profession’s important role in healthcare, its long-term
aspirations and the expectations of our patients, the sector and the
broader community.
Further, the ASA remains committed to seeing the general sonography
qualification transition to master’s level. We contend that this is
necessary to ensure there is sufficient opportunity for students to
acquire the requisite skills, knowledge and attributes across all
disciplines of sonography (excluding cardiac) which comprise the general
qualification, thus ensuring they are competent to practise as an entry
level general sonographer.
The ASA’s advocacy efforts will continue, with the aim to ensure that
the provision of high quality sonographer education will continue to
evolve in the future, thus ensuring best practice within the sonography
profession.
ASA’s 2012/15 Strategic Plan
The ASA is committed to building on previous work and exploring other
opportunities to advance and influence outcomes for the profession.
Strong representation will be the key focus of the ASA’s next Strategic
Plan. To ensure we are well placed to deliver to the expectations of the
Plan, staff and committees have commenced work on securing the required
resources.
The extensive advocacy work included in the upcoming Plan marks an
exciting evolution of the ASA, your peak body and leading voice, and
highlights the continued development of the sonography profession. We
will be seeking Expressions of Interest for specific projects in the
near future. We would also like to thank members who have previously
indicated interest in the Advanced Practitioner project and advise that
we will contact you when the project commences.
Complete the ASA Member Satisfaction
Survey
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 services and advocacy 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. Time is
running out so don’t miss the chance to have your say.
Nominations close soon for the 2012
ASA Awards of Excellence
Promoting excellence in the sonography profession is a key mandate of
the ASA. The ASA Awards of Excellence recognise the extraordinary
benchmarks for best practice in sonography around Australia and nominees
for our prestigious 2012 ASA Awards of Excellence will be recognised as
leaders of our profession.
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. 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
Set your student sonographers up for
success
Did you know ASA student membership is free to eligible students?
Membership of their professional association provides students with many
opportunities to get the most out of their studies and includes reduced
rates to attend ASA meetings and conferences, access to asawebinars,
soundeffects, discussion forums and much more. By supporting the
next generation of sonographers, we are actively encouraging involvement
in the profession through a rewarding association with the ASA.
Encourage your students to
find out more.
Education and CPD Opportunities
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.
RHCE2 grants are available for organisations and groups of individuals
to access, develop and/or provide continuing professional development
(CPD), continuing professional education (CPE), multi-disciplinary
training or inter-professional learning (IPL) and orientation activities
that meet the needs of nurses and midwives, allied health professionals,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and general
practitioners practising in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Find out more.
Spread
the word
As always, feel free to share this e-Advocacy Alert with other
sonographers and members of the diagnostic imaging community.
Elaine Trevaskis
CEO
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