Why is it important to read the Sonographer Scope of Practice?

• A scope of practice clearly articulates the activities and processes healthcare professionals can perform.
• A scope of practice limits the activities of a healthcare professional based on specific education, training, and competency requirements based on regulations, standards, and laws.
• Very few states regulate the education, competency, and certification of sonographers.
• The Sonographer Scope of Practice is our guiding document that describes the boundaries of our profession.

This year (2024), the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) released the latest revision of the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (The Scope) which encompasses the changes and growth in technology and the expansion in the roles of sonographers. I was excited to represent the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) in this revision process, and glad that the AIUM Board of Governors voted again to continue to support The Scope.

This comprehensive document sets forth the most current standards and expectations for sonographers, emphasizing patient care, safety, and the evolving role of sonographers in healthcare.

I asked colleague Jaime Taylor-Fujikawa, RDMS, RDCS, why she feels The Scope is important. Her first reason was because it is not stagnant. She stated that “the sonographer profession continues to expand and evolve, and The Scope has changed with the times.” Jaime is a sonographer of 21 years, a long-time member of the AIUM, and she lives in 1 of only 4 states that requires licensure of sonographers. She has taken certification exams in OB, Adult Echo, Pediatric Echo, and Fetal Echo.

Did you know that though certification of sonographers is considered the standard of care, it is still considered voluntary except in those states that require licensure?

The sonographer is defined as an individual who performs diagnostic exams and procedures, acquiring images and other pertinent information to provide to the interpreting physician. Sonographers do not practice independently and function as a delegate of the physician. In brief, we

• Follow written policies, protocols, and guidelines.
• Apply principles of safe use (ALARA) for the patient, ourselves, and the healthcare team.
• Commit to ongoing education to increase competence with increasing advancements.
• Acquire appropriate training and experience in examinations and specialty areas in which they perform.

This is but a brief overview of The Scope. A few areas that were added/expanded included

• The role of the advanced practice sonographer (under physician supervision)
  • As an evolving role for those with higher levels of education, training, and experience,
  • Which may be identified with advanced job titles such as ultrasound practitioner, advanced cardiac sonographer, advanced sonographer, and/or with an advanced certification (currently there is only 1 advanced certification available)
• The use of contrast, which has been expanded and is now woven strategically throughout the document with more succinct guidelines of the sonographer’s role.
• The expansion of safety principles to increase focus on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) to encourage
  • Maintenance of an environment to avoid injuries,Implementation and participation in programs designed to reduce WRMSD, and
  • Reporting signs and symptoms of WRMSD.

A few areas of The Scope are outlined here, and it contains an overarching theme of essential commitment (from sonographers) to professional growth and development and adherence to our professional standards, regulations, and accreditation standards that guide our actions to serve our patients competently and safely. The Scope compels us to

• Treat all patients with kindness, compassion, dignity, and respect.
• Perform examinations only with a medical order.
  • Exceptions for educational programs, in-service training, CME activities, research
• Perform only those examinations for which we are educated, trained, experienced, and competent, and (where applicable) certified.
• Adhere to the scope of practice and other professional documents.

In the absence of licensure, it is imperative that sonographers follow The Scope and that employers hire certified sonographers so that patients can receive quality ultrasound examinations and excellent patient care.

Do you work with a sonographer? Are they certified? Do you know their areas of certification? You can find the complete Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer here https://www.sdms.org/about/who-we-are/scope-of-practice.

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM, is currently an Adjunct Faculty at AdventHealth University. She has taken certification exams in Abdomen,
OB/Gyn, Pediatric Sonography, Breast, Fetal Echo, and Vascular Technology. She
has been a member of AIUM since 1989 and has served on the AIUM Board as 2nd
Vice President, and most recently co-chaired the Practice Principles on
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.