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DEVELOPING AND GROWING THE SONOGRAPHER WORKFORCE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS

DEVELOPING AND GROWING THE SONOGRAPHER WORKFORCE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS. NIGEL THOMSON PROFESSIONAL OFFICER (ULTRASOUND) SOCIETY AND COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS MARCH 3 rd 2010.

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DEVELOPING AND GROWING THE SONOGRAPHER WORKFORCE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS

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  1. DEVELOPING AND GROWING THE SONOGRAPHER WORKFORCE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS NIGEL THOMSON PROFESSIONAL OFFICER (ULTRASOUND) SOCIETY AND COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS MARCH 3rd 2010

  2. To review current training arrangements for sonographers and SCoR recommendations for the short, middle and longer term. To review issues relating to sonographer registration Aim of presentation

  3. WHO SCANS? • Radiographer Sonographers • Midwife Sonographers • Radiologists • Obstetricians • General Practitioners • Specialist medical staff • Nurses • Vascular scientists • Cardiac physiologists • Physiotherapists • Other groups using ultrasound as a ‘tool’ or at ‘Point of Care’

  4. Definition of a ‘Sonographer’ An ultrasound practitioner from any professional background who is not medically qualified. In Scotland: Percentage of ultrasound sessions covered by: Radiographer sonographers : 56% Medical staff: 30% Midwives : 10% Other staff: 4% Ref: Sonographer Workforce Capacity in Scotland Cannon J, Colthart I, Murray C (2008)

  5. BACKGROUND (1) • UK wide shortage of sonographers • Ever increasing demand for ultrasound imaging • Obstetric screening programmes • DH targets • Next Stage Review • Moves towards earlier cancer diagnosis • Training other professional groups • Not a new issue

  6. BACKGROUND (2) • Postgraduate level of training (CASE accredited courses) • Costs of training • Backfill • Work related musculo-skeletal disorders • Training not keeping pace with the numbers of sonographers leaving • Low morale in some units • Plans for extended hours • Lack of UK wide data for workforce requirements

  7. REGISTRATION • There is no legal requirement to be registered if working as a sonographer • Many sonographers are registered but this is as (for example) a radiographer or midwife • Some employers insist on registration but it will be an impossibility for some applicants who may be otherwise very well qualified • The SCoR expects those of its members who can register to do so but accepts that through no fault of their own some will not be able to.

  8. APPLICATION TO THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS COUNCIL (HPC) • In 2008 the SCoR in association with UKAS applied to the HPC for sonography to become a regulated profession and ‘sonographer’ and ‘ultrasonographer’ to become protected titles • In January 2009 UKAS merged with the SCoR • In October 2009 the HPC wrote to the Secretary of State for Health recommending this, but it could be several years before it is achieved.

  9. PUBLIC VOLUNTARY REGISTER OF SONOGRAPHERS (PVRS) • Developed jointly by the SCoR and UKAS • The SCoR hosts the PVRS which is currently being further developed • All qualified sonographers can apply to join

  10. FOUR TIER STRUCTURE • Assistant Practitioners • Practitioners • Advanced Practitioners • Consultants

  11. ROLE OF ASSISTANT PRACTITIONERS (1) • Limited, partly due to the fact that the person who performs the examination should be the person who reports it. • The Combined Test in the first trimester for Down’s syndrome risk includes measurement of the nuchal translucency, an exacting technique

  12. ROLE OF ASSISTANT PRACTITIONERS (2) • Definite role in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening as part of that programme. • The SCoR has published ‘The Role of the Assistant Practitioner in Ultrasound’ and the ‘Role of the Assistant Practitioner in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening’

  13. SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS • CASE accredited ‘focused’ ultrasound courses • Wider range of students accepted on to postgraduate courses • Increased role for Radiology Academies and computer simulators • Introduction of first degree in sonography

  14. OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT (1) • Sonography is listed as a shortage specialty by the UK Government Migratory Advisory Committee (MAC) • Sonography is not a regulated profession so it can be difficult for an employer to judge an applicant’s suitability • There is no easy way to compare qualifications from different countries

  15. OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT (2) • UK NARIC can assess academic level but not clinical competence • There are many sonographers from a wide range of countries working in the UK • If an employer insists on registration they will exclude those who may otherwise be very well qualified.

  16. SCoR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SHORT TERM (IMMEDIATELY) • CASE accredited Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas continuing as now. • SHA’s and Health Boards to help procure and fund these programmes for a three to four year period and to assist where they can in the provision of clinical placements. • Employers, SHA’s and Health Boards to commission and fund CASE accredited short ‘focused’ courses. • Explore links with Radiology Academies to assist in the delivery of courses.

  17. SCoRRECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MEDIUM TERM (1-3 YEARS) • Commission CASE accredited postgraduate entry programmes with a much wider range of applicants than has traditionally been the case. • Preceptorship year for those not holding a primary health or healthcare related degree.

  18. SCoR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LONGER TERM (3 – 5 YEARS) Establish direct entry (BSc Hons) programmes with a preceptorship year to follow.

  19. Thank youAny Questions? Any questions?

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