Renewal Notices for 2012 and Beyond
ASAR’s proposed new Governance Structure
New Website
Online Database FAQs
ASAR’s Role
Medical Radiation Practitioners in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme

Renewal Notices for 2012 and Beyond

Please note that from 2012 onwards renewal notices will be sent electronically to your nominated e-mail address.

Please ensure that your contact details are correct by visiting your profile on-line.

ASAR will ensure you receive ample notice of the due date for your renewal.

If you have not yet provided a current email address to ASAR please provide one at your earliest convenience.

ASAR’s proposed new Governance Structure

ASAR is working towards a new Governance structure.

Under the proposed Governance structure, Members of ASAR will consist of all active Accredited Sonographers on the Registry.

Active ASAR Accredited Sonographers are those Sonographers who have met the requirements for admission to the Register of Accredited Medical, or Student Sonographers and have paid any applicable fees.

Voting rights would be one vote for each Accredited Sonographer Member. Student Members would not have a vote.

The Board would comprise 7 Directors, who are Accredited Sonographers elected by the Members, and up to 2 specialist Directors who are appointed by the Board.

Membership for the purposes of voting and electing the ASAR Board will be voluntary and is completely separate from the requirement for Sonographers to maintain their status as an Accredited Sonographer on the Registry.

An information paper on the proposed new Governance Structure is available from the ASAR website: ASAR Proposed Governance Structure Dec 2011

ASAR welcomes feedback on the proposed new Governance structure. Please email feedback to: registry@asar.com.au

New Website

ASAR’s new website and online database is up and running.

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the new website.

Some of the features of the new website include:

• Instant updating of CPD records entered by Sonographers on the Registry
• Instant updating of contact information by Sonographers on the Registry
• Sonographers on the Registry have access to all information in their individual member profile
• Sonographers on the Registry are able to print out their own CPD activity reports
• Interactive PDF forms that can be filled out and emailed directly to ASAR
• PDF print out of Accreditation Status available to individual Sonographers (this replaces the ASAR Registration card)

Note that the Public Register of Accredited Sonographers remains available on the new website.

Online Database FAQs

How do I login to my personal profile?
To login to your personal profile you need to have a valid email address on your profile.

You access your profile by going to the members area of the ASAR website at http://member.asar.com.au, and logging in with your email address and password

You should have been emailed a password when the new system went live in December 2011. If you do not have a password, click on the ‘Forgot Password’ link on the login screen.

I paid my renewal online but it is not showing up as paid in my profile!
ASAR uses Secure Pay, which is an online payment gateway. When you pay your renewal it can take up to 24 hours for the payment to be recorded in your profile. This is because the online database runs a “house keeping” process overnight that updates all records.

Is the payment gateway secure?
The payment gateway is secure. ASAR is using Secure Pay, which has been in existence for over 10 years.

Why do I receive email reminders stating that currently there are one or more tasks that may require attention in the near future?
The online database generates automated personal reminders for individual Sonographers on the Registry.

The automated reminders are sent fortnightly.

You may receive a reminder regarding one or more of the following:

• Evaluation period renewal is pending the resolution of other issues
• Requirements for ASAR CPD Program have not been satisfied
• Non-ASAR CPD report pending
• Requirements for a non-ASAR CPD Program have not been satisfied
• Annual confirmation of CPD Program required
• Visa expiring within 90 days
• Visa expired
• Audit of CPD not satisfied
• CPD Points Reminder
• New Invoice
• Overdue Invoice

How do I nominate my CPD Program for 2012?
Each year at renewal time, Accredited Medical Sonographers on the Registry need to nominate their CPD program for the year.

This can now be done online in your member profile.

For more detailed instruction read this support article: How Do I Nominate My CPD Program

Will I still receive an ASAR registration card?
From 2012, ASAR will no longer be mailing the plastic ASAR registration cards.

All active Sonographers on the Registry with no outstanding issues are able to generate a confirmation of their membership from their personal profile.

The confirmation generated from your profile contains the same information that was previously provided on the ASAR registration card.

How do I get assistance if I am having problems with my personal profile?
You can lodge a ticket with the support desk by clicking on member support on the homepage of the website, email: registry@asar.com.au or call ASAR on (02) 8850 1144.

ASAR’s Role

ASAR is not a registration board.

ASAR does not have the authority to remove a Sonographer from the Registry due to professional misconduct, nor the ability to prevent a Sonographer from practising.

ASAR is only able to remove a Sonographer from the Registry for failure to meet CPD requirements and or failure to pay annual fees.

Sonography is not yet a registered profession and therefore Sonographers are not yet included in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

Information regarding applications for entry of unregistered professions into the NRAS can be found on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website.

Medical Radiation Practitioners in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme

From 1 July 2012, Medical Radiation practitioners and students will be required to be registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPB).

Sonographers in the public system who are employed under any other title (e.g. Medical Imaging Technologists) need to contact the MRPB as these Sonographers may be required to register with the MRPB and meet their requirements.

Note that the name of the company Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry Limited was changed to the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry Limited by special resolution of the ASAR Members on 26 November 2011. The new name has been registered with ASIC.

The name change reflects ASAR’s jurisdictional boundaries.

Principles of the Proposed ASAR Governance Structure

Over the last 15 months ASAR has undertaken an extensive independent review of its structure and processes in order to ensure that ASAR is appropriately positioned to respond to and operate within, the evolving education/training and continuing professional development (CPD) sector.

As part of that review process, significant efforts were made to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Two of the key recommendations from the independent report are the review of ASAR’s Membership and Governance Structure and Program Accreditation Guidelines (PAG).

A document outlining the proposed ASAR Governance structure including membership, Board structure, the functions of ASAR and the transitioning process will be sent to key stakeholder organisations shortly for comment.

Further information including the document referred to above will be provided to Sonographers on the Registry in early 2012.

Program Accreditation Guidelines (PAG) Review

The PAG update is a component of an on-going review that has been more than fifteen months in development and implementation, with significant stakeholder engagement occurring at various levels. The main object of this review is to improve the processes of ASAR and bring the PAG into line with current educational and professional requirements of sonography.

The PAG will be aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. Qualifications from each education and training sector are incorporated into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework.

Aligning the PAG to the AQF will provide more structured guidelines for accreditation submissions and assessment criteria. These will provide a more structured process for those preparing and assessing applications for accreditation of sonography training programs.

It is anticipated that updated Accreditation Standards and Criteria, an Evidence Guide and a standardised Application form will be completed and available from the ASAR website by the end of 2011.

New Website and Online Database is Live

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the new website. Some of the features of the new website include:

• Instant updating of CPD records entered by Sonographers on the Registry
• Instant updating of contact information by Sonographers on the Registry
• Sonographers on the Registry will have access to all information in their individual member profile
• Sonographers on the Registry will be able to print out their own CPD activity reports
• Interactive PDF forms that can be filled out and emailed directly to ASAR
• PDF print out of Accreditation Status available to individual Sonographers.

The Public Register of Accredited Sonographers remains on the new website.

ASAR welcomes feedback on the new website.

Please email any feedback to registry@asar.com.au

Fees for 2012

Please note the change in fees listed below for 2012.

Renewal notices will be sent electronically to your nominated e-mail address in January 2012.

Please ensure that your contact details are correct by visiting your profile on line.

The November 2011 edition of the ASAR Newsletter will focus on an issue that may have serious implications for the short and medium term allocation of ASAR’s resources and for the future of accreditation of training programs for sonographers in Australia.
Given the seriousness of the issue, the contents of this article, has been vetted by ASAR’s lawyers.

On 31 October 2011, the ASAR, and individuals were threatened with legal action from a private education provider (PEP) if ASAR does not consider their proposed course for accreditation in a timely manner. This threat was echoed by a letter from the PEP’s lawyers in subsequent correspondence.

ASAR’s position on this matter has been made clear to the PEP on more than one occasion. In summary, ASAR is the subject of pressure (some might call it bullying) to have the PEP’s proposed course approved under ASAR’s former Program Accreditation Guidelines (“PAG”) whereas ASAR maintains that the new PAG (due approximately late December 2011) must apply.

• The ASAR is very concerned that the PEP’S tactics to date have been to completely ignore all decisions, requests and advice from ASAR that go against its agenda.
• From ASAR’s perspective the threat of legal action from the PEP against ASAR and individuals will only serve to further impede a suitable resolution of this matter.
• The ASAR is also concerned that the PEP is going directly to the DoHA to complain about ASAR, rather than raising their concerns directly with ASAR.
• ASAR is seeking to address these concerns with the DoHA.

Implications of the threatened legal action for Sonographers

Increase in fees for sonographers to enter and renew their accredited status on the Registry
Given the threat of legal action, ASAR has no other choice but to increase its fees in 2012 by approximately 20% to raise additional revenue to cover the costs of ASAR’s defense to any potential legal action from the PEP. This increase will affect over 4,800 accredited and student sonographers on the Registry and those sonographers applying to join the Registry. ASAR Council would like to confirm to all sonographers, its frustration at being forced into a position where it has no choice but to meet the threat of litigation by increasing fees.

Independent review of ASAR’s structure and processes
As indicated in the September 2011 Newsletter ASAR has accepted the recommendations from the independent review conducted by NFP Analysts. We are currently working with external consultants to progress the Governance restructure and PAG review.

ASAR is determined to ensure that the implementation of the recommendations from the external review are not impeded or influenced in any way by this matter. ASAR has and will continue to demonstrate that it is open to restructure and change in order to ensure ASAR is in a robust position to respond to and operate within the evolving training program accreditation and continuing professional development sector.

A history of this matter with key dates is provided below.

Please email any comments or questions to registry@asar.com.au

22 August 2010
ASAR Council voted to undertake an independent review of its structure and processes by appointing an external facilitator.

6 September 2010
NFP Analysts were contracted by ASAR to conduct the review.

28 November 2010
External review stakeholders’ forum held. A member of the PEP’s Board was on the invitation list but did not attend.

Late November 2010
ASAR received a letter from the PEP requesting a meeting with the ASAR Board for preliminary discussions about the proposed course.

14 December 2010
ASAR responded to the PEP inviting them to a meeting on 20 February 2011.

20 February 2011
The PEP met with the ASAR Council and provided an outline for the proposed course. There was no informal or formal application for accreditation.

2 April 2011
The NFP analysts report was presented to the ASAR Council.

10 May 2011
ASAR wrote to the PEP stating that the proposed course may be presented for presentation however:

• the course required accreditation through the Vocational Education and Training Sector, prior to consideration and
• the application for accreditation had to be made according to the ASAR program accreditation guidelines (PAG)

4 June 2011
The outcomes of the NFP Analysts report were accepted by the ASAR Council.

13 September 2011
The ASAR newsletter informed all readers that the PAG was being reviewed. The review of the PAG is one of the recommendations from the report from NFP Analysts who conducted the independent review of ASAR’s structure and processes.
ASAR also emailed all stakeholders on 13 September 2011, notifying them that no new applications for accreditation of sonography training programs will be accepted until after the PAG review is finished.

Stakeholders were also notified that reaccreditation processes for existing accredited training programs would continue. ASAR received an email on 13 September 2011 from the PEP seeking clarification that the mentioned delay in program accreditation application acceptance did not apply to the proposed PEP course.

19 September 2011
A letter was sent to the PEP from Williamson Legal on behalf of ASAR:

• informing them that a formal application for accreditation of the proposed course had not been received
• outlining the reasons why a formal application for the proposed course had not been received
• stating again that the formal application for accreditation of the proposed course would need to wait until the review of the PAG is completed and the proposed course had received VET sector accreditation

30 September 2011
At ASAR’s request a meeting with representatives from the Diagnostic Services Branch of DoHA took place. The agenda for the meeting included an introduction of the new EO of ASAR, clarification of ASAR’s position on the proposed vet sector course, providing DoHA with an overview and timeline for ASAR’s governance restructure and the PAG review.

ASAR was represented by the EO and a Councillor. One of the DoHA representatives raised concerns that in their view ASAR had a possible perception problem, as some stakeholders felt that the only reason for the PAG review was to make it more difficult for the proposed VET sector course to be accredited.

ASAR reiterated that the PAG are being reviewed to ensure they are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and informed DoHA that the review will be conducted by an external consultant, who has an in depth knowledge of and experience in VET sector training.

5 October 2011
ASAR wrote to DoHA thanking the representatives from the Diagnostic Services Branch for their time. ASAR informed DoHA that Council was holding a teleconference to discuss the concerns DoHA had raised about possible perception problems.
The letter to DoHA also expressed ASAR’s disappointment about the possible misperceptions given that there had been significant stakeholder engagement during the independent review of ASAR conducted by NFP Analysts Pty Ltd.
It was also noted in the letter that the ASAR Council voted to undertake the independent review of its structure and processes by appointing an external facilitator at its meeting on 22 August 2010. This decision was made well before the PEP’s proposed course came into the picture in November 2010.

On 5 October 2011 ASAR also received an email from the PEP stating that the representatives from the Diagnostic Services Branch of DoHA had recommended that PEP seek a meeting with the Executive Officer and or representatives of the ASAR Board to engage in discussion surrounding the course submission and approval process for the proposed course. The PEP indicated that they would like to meet within a week.

10 October 2011
The ASAR EO emailed the PEP inviting it to a meeting with three ASAR Councillors, the EO and ASAR’s legal representative, Mr Williamson, to discuss the proposed course. ASAR had proposed a meeting occur within days, but this was rejected by the PEP.
The earliest date thereafter that both parties were available to meet was 31 October 2011, in Melbourne.

21 October 2011
The Agenda for the meeting on 31 October 2011 was emailed to the PEP.

The meeting did not proceed in accordance with the Agenda as the PEP wanted the meeting “off record” and not “on the record” and “without prejudice”.

From ASAR’s perspective, these requests were contradictory to the PEP’s assertion that they came to the meeting in the spirit of collaboration and that the PEP would be reporting back to DoHA. Conducting the meeting in this manner would also impede ASAR’s ability to report back to DoHA.

In the interest of transparency, ASAR representatives did not agree to PEP’s request. The PEP also objected to the attendance of Mr Williamson from Williamson Legal, even though it was clear from the Agenda sent 21 October that he would be attending.
During the meeting, PEP threatened the ASAR, and individuals with legal action if ASAR does not consider their proposed course for accreditation in a timely manner.

From ASAR’s perspective we came to the meeting on 31 October 2011 prepared to discuss a way forward. This opportunity never eventuated.

The PEP’s solicitors have written to ASAR making further assertions and a veiled threat of litigation. Williamson Legal have now responded and are preparing for the litigation which will probably commence in the near future.

Final comments:

1. ASAR is charged with accrediting ultrasound courses. It will carry out this obligation without fear or favour.
2. The courses that ASAR accredits deal with ensuring that sonographers are capable of performing the role for which they are engaged, namely providing expert readings of ultrasound reports. Their capacity to do so is fundamental to the health of the Australian population and the high regard in which sonographers are held in the medical profession and generally.
3. The new PAG will ensure that ASAR meets the standards required. We note that standards are increasing and ASAR is not the only organization that is reviewing accreditation guidelines to keep abreast of changes.
4. ASAR nor its Council will be bullied by any PEP or its representatives.

• Message from the Chair
• Key recommendations from the external review by NFP Analysts Pty Ltd
• Appointment of an Executive Officer
• Development and implementation of a new governance structure
• PAG – Review of the program accreditation guidelines
• Development of new website
• Clarification on ASAR Accreditation of sonography programs at CQ University
• Clarification of ASAR’s current role

Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry’s (ASAR) newsletter. To ensure sonographers on the Registry and stakeholders are kept up to date on the key activities of ASAR, Council has decided to reintroduce the newsletter. Newsletters will be released to coincide with key decisions made at ASAR Council meetings, and on an as needed basis to provide updates on key developments impacting on sonographers on the Registry and on the operations of ASAR.

Strategically, 2011 has been a significant year for ASAR, with the conclusion in April of the external independent review of the governance and operations of the Registry by NFP Analysts Pty Ltd. NFP Analysts were asked to recommend changes that will enable ASAR to meet its strategic and operational objectives, as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The review took into account short and long term issues facing sonography training and education as well as the possibility of sonographers being included in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

The key recommendations to be given priority for implementation over the next 6 to 12 months are included in this edition.

I hope you find the revamped newsletter informative. If you have any feedback on the contents of this or future editions or have any suggestions for topics to be included please email: Liane Walters, Executive Officer (EO): lianew@asar.com.au.

- Michelle Pedretti.

Key recommendations from the external review by NFP Analysts Pty Ltd

The external review of the Registry concluded in April this year, resulting in a number of recommendations to the ASAR Council. Council considered the recommendations at their June and August meetings and decided that implementation of the following key recommendations, will be given priority over the next 6 to 12 months.

Appointment of an Executive Officer

Following an extensive recruitment process, Liane Walters was appointed to the role of EO and commenced on Monday 1 August.

Liane has over a decade of experience working in the medical education and accreditation field.

Prior to joining ASAR, Liane’s recent accomplishments include management of all aspects of the development and implementation of the new radiology training program curriculum including the drafting of policies to support minimum standards for clinical supervision and protected time for trainers.

The EO’s key roles include:

• Acting as a liaison between the ASAR Council and major stakeholders
• Implementing recommendations (approved by the ASAR Council) from the external independent review
• Policy/process development
• Management of accreditation processes
• Ensuring the Council is informed of current developments in the sonographer educational and practice environment

Development and implementation of a new governance structure

Council is currently discussing options for the Governance restructure including membership composition, Board of Directors’ composition, election of Directors and terms for Directors. A chartered secretary will be contracted to provide expert advice on the restructure and to rewrite the constitution.

Council at its meeting held 20-21 August 2011 approved the revised objects for ASAR as follows:

Objects of the ASAR

1. to promote high standards of medical sonography in Australia and in particular:
1. to set uniform, minimum standards ofsonographer training and education in Australia
2. to accredit programs of sonographer training and education
3. to accredit medical sonographers
4. to maintain a minimum standard of continuing professional development
5. to support recognition of sonography as a profession, and
6. to advise education, government and statutory bodies and professional and scientific societies on any aspect of accreditation of medical sonography
2. to do all such acts as are incidental and conducive to the furtherance of the above objects.

PAG (PAG) Review of the program accreditation guidelines

The PAG were last reviewed in August 2007 and are due for review again. The review will commence in late September and conclude in early 2012.

The review of the PAG is warranted to ensure the accreditation processes and the minimum standards for programs reflect the current academic and training environment.

The review of the PAG will also include a benchmarking study against other accreditation programs and practices.

Development of new website

Work is well underway on the development of the new ASAR website, which will have substantially more functionality than the current website.

The new functionality includes:

• Simultaneous and immediate update of the website and the database following entry of information (contact details, CPD points, etc) by sonographers on the Registry.
• Renewals and all other payments will be done online.

In addition a new logo for ASAR has been designed and will be launched on the new website. Testing of the new website is expected to be underway in October with a go live date of January 2012.

Clarification on ASAR Accreditation of sonography programs at CQ University

Recently there has been some confusion about the accreditation of sonography programs at CQ University.

To clarify:

In order to be eligible for ASAR Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS) status, CQ University candidates MUST complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography. This is an articulated program with the Bachelor of Medical Sonography and therefore the pre-requisite for the Graduate Diploma.

Candidates who only complete the undergraduate component and not the entire program will be awarded a Bachelor of Health Sciences, (Imaging) from CQ University, which is NOT accredited by the ASAR.

Queries regarding the CQ University sonography training program can be directed to Cynthia Cowling, Developmental Leader Radiation Sciences and Sonography: c.cowling@cqu.edu.au

• View current list of ASAR accredited training programs
• View current PAG (pdf)

Clarification of ASAR’s current role

In light of the current focus on national registration and a small number of enquiries to ASAR about ASAR’s role in dealing with complaints about sonographers, the ASAR Council wishes to clarify that ASAR is not a registration board.

ASAR does not have the authority to remove a Sonographer from the Registry due to professional misconduct, nor the ability to prevent a sonographer from practicing. ASAR is only able to remove a Sonographer from the Registry if they fail to meet CPD requirements or do not pay annual fees.

Currently, sonographers are not included in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). If sonographers are interested in keeping up to date about applications of unregistered professions to be considered for entry into the NRAS, the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council (AHWMC) issues Communiques, which can be found on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Legislation-and-Publications/Ministerial-Directives-and-Communiques.aspx.