Pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ("the Act"), the following notice is given.
This notice replaces all previous scopes of practice notices of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board ("the Board").
Scopes of Practice
Pursuant to section 11(1) of the Act, the Board specifies eight scopes of practice within the profession of medical radiation technology as follows:
1. Scope of Practice - Diagnostic Imaging - General
Practises Diagnostic Imaging - General:
Involves the use of ionising radiation to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
2. Scope of Practice - Radiation Therapist
Practises Radiation Therapy:
Involves the use of treatment planning systems, ionising radiation and radionuclides for radiation treatment planning and delivery.
3. Scope of Practice - Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Practises Diagnostic Imaging - Nuclear Medicine:
Involves the use of radionuclides to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
4. Scope of Practice - Sonographer
Practises Diagnostic Imaging - Ultrasound:
Involves the use of ultrasound waves to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
5. Scope of Practice - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
Practises Diagnostic Imaging - Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
Involves the use of magnetic resonance to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
6. Scope of Practice - Trainee Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Undertaking training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in nuclear medicine imaging.
7. Scope of Practice - Trainee Sonographer
Undertaking postgraduate training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in ultrasound.
8. Scope of Practice - Trainee Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
Undertaking postgraduate training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in magnetic resonance imaging.
Qualifications Prescribed for Registration
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a medical radiation technologist:
1. Diagnostic Imaging - General
A New Zealand degree in medical diagnostic imaging approved by the Board, or a course of training, examinations and work experience that in the opinion
of the Board is sufficient for registration in diagnostic imaging - general.
2. Radiation Therapy
A New Zealand degree in radiation therapy approved by the Board, or a course of training, examinations and work experience that in the opinion of the Board is sufficient for registration as a radiation therapist.
3. Diagnostic Imaging - Nuclear Medicine
A degree in nuclear medicine approved by the Board and 3360 hours of clinical experience in nuclear medicine, or a course of training, examinations and work experience that in the opinion of the Board is sufficient for registration as a nuclear medicine technologist.
4. Diagnostic Imaging - Ultrasound
A degree in diagnostic imaging or health science approved by the Board and a postgraduate qualification in Ultrasound approved by the Board, or a course of training, examinations and work experience that in the opinion of the Board is sufficient for registration as a sonographer.
If the post graduate diploma in ultrasound does not contain a clinical component, there is also a requirement to complete 3360 clinical hours and undergo a registration examination assessment (REA).
5. Diagnostic Imaging - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A degree in diagnostic imaging approved by the Board and a postgraduate qualification in magnetic resonance imaging approved by the Board, or a course of training, examinations and relevant work experience that in the opinion of the Board is sufficient for registration as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist.
If the post graduate diploma in magnetic resonance imaging does not contain a clinical component, there is also a requirement to complete 3360 clinical hours and undergo a registration examination assessment (REA).
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a trainee medical radiation technologist:
6. Trainee Nuclear Medicine Technologist
7. Trainee Sonographer
8. Trainee Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
A degree in diagnostic imaging approved by the Board and enrolment in an approved course of training in nuclear medicine, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, or a degree in health sciences that in the opinion of the Board is sufficient for registration in a training scope of practice, and enrolment in an approved course of training in nuclear medicine, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.
Dated at Wellington this 1st day of December 2010.
MARY DOYLE, Registrar, Medical Radiation Technologists Board.