Why Sonographers should pass the Ultrasound Board Exams!
mmWhy should you bother gaining your ultrasound credentials? Why sweat it out acheiving an RCS, RDCS, an RVT, or an RDMS? Registered Sonographer so what? Before long, if the experts get their way (and they will), you will not be able to scan in any ultrasound modality without credentials in that modality. To scan a pelvic or first trimester from the ER you will have to be registered in Ob/Gyn.
Sonography is changing. Invest in yourself by registering and using our extensive Online Teaching Materials, and comprehensive testing facility to prime yourself for the board examination. Before they schedule an ultrasound appointment many Physicians recommend that their patients inquire from the facility whether they have registered sonographers. The word is out that the quality of an ultrasound scan is dependent on the sonographers knowledge, experience, and the ultrasound equipment.
Even the Government Accounting Office Supports a Sonographer Credentialing
Standard. The GAO, a non-partisan government agency whose primary responsibility
is to insure that federal monies are spent in an effective and efficient
manner, has now gone ‘on record’ supporting sonographer credentialing
as part of a quality control effort and has specifically recommended that
CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) adopt such a policy. The
GAO is the largest investigatory body in the U.S. government and has a reputation
for aggressive and comprehensive work. GAO statements released to Congress
in a report on June 28 include:
"CMS should require sonographers providing Medicare –covered
ultrasound exams to either be credentialed or work in an accredited facility.
The skill of the sonographer conducting an ultrasound is critical for its
use to support a physician’s correct diagnosis; poorly captured images
can lead to misdiagnoses or unnecessarily repeated exams.
Findings from several peer-reviewed studies, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and ultrasound-related professional organizations support requiring that sonographers either have credentials or operate in facilities that are accredited…
Medicare’s inconsistent requirements undermine assurance that beneficiaries are receiving high-quality services across the country." Approximately nine months before the GAO study was released to Congress, SDMS was contacted, along with several other ultrasound-related organizations, and asked to provide content experts to participate in an interview process with GAO staff. The report summary, as well as the full text of the report is available at the SDMS website at www.sdms.org/lists/soundnewsvol9iss7.asp
Many hospitals only hire Registered Sonographers currently. At other facilities the starting rate of pay for non-Registered Sonographers is lower than the rate for Registered Sonographers.
The Faculty at AHPI are dedicated in their cause to help students pass the Board Examinations. They are experienced in this process as they work diligently annually to successfully guide students to achieve their credentials. View a sample of our learning and test materials and then take that all important step to achieve your dreams. Register with us at AHPI. Invest in yourself and be successful.