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| Information on Sonography |
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Qualifications
There is no legal requirement to hold a recognised
ultrasound qualification in order to practice as a sonographer in the UK. Most
hospital departments, however, would not consider offering employment as a
sonographer to an individual who does not hold a Postgraduate Certificate or a
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical or Clinical Ultrasound. These qualifications
have been available from selected Universities in the UK since the early 1990s
and superseded the Diploma of Medical Ultrasound (DMU), awarded by the College
of Radiographers. |
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HPC
As sonography is not recognised as a profession by the Health Professions
Council (HPC), there is no possibility of individuals practicing as
sonographers to be state registered. Individuals who
hold a radiography qualification recognised by the HPC are legally required to
register with the HPC if they wish to practice as a
radiographer (but not a sonographer) in the UK. There
is no legal requirement to be 'state registered' if seeking employment as a
sonographer, as this is currently an impossibility. However, it is recommended
that you ensure that you have appropriate professional indemnity insurance
arranged, either through your employer or via an appropriate regulatory body.
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Training
Obtaining a PG Cert or Diploma requires acceptance on a course offered by one
of 20 or so universities around the country. Such courses typically run for 12
months (PG Cert) or 18 months (PG Diploma). They are offered as part time, full
time or block release courses, the format varying with each university. All
require attendance at the university for academic studies and clinical
placement in an approved hospital for clinical training.
A typical part time course requires one day's attendance at university and a
minimum of two day's full time clinical training. It is generally the
prospective students responsibility to arrange an approved clinical placement.
All CASE approved courses are offered at postgraduate level. Entry requirements
generally include a first degree in radiography, midwifery or similar science
or health-related subject. Students may be accepted on a course of their
previous learning and experience fulfils specific non-standard entry criteria.
Further information can be obtained from the
CASE website or
from the CASE office. |
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RDMS Qualification
The RDMS qualification should enable you to apply for sonography positions in
the UK, providing the department concerned accepts the comparability of the
RDMS and PG Cert/Dip awards. This would be a matter for an individual Trust to
decide.
Alternately, you might want to consider applying to a CASE approved course and,
through the APL (accreditation for prior learning) route. This might require
you to take some more exams but it would ensure you had a standard, UK
qualification. It is recommended, however that you try the former route first.
CASE does not have any information regarding the job market or salary. Most
ultrasound jobs are advertised either in RAD magazine or in Synergy, which is
published by the College of Radiographers. |
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