Ultrasound in Nursing

Currently there is no state the lecenses ultrasound, meaning anyone can do the scan. In order to be paid for the scan some insurance pannels require that the sonographer be certified in the area of the scan. Some state boards have issued advisories about ultrasound and nursing scope of practice (2 or 3 I think). TO have accreditation by ACR, Initial accreditation all sonographers must be certified, for renewal there is a window period to allow staff to obtain certification. Most hospitals prefer to hire credentialed sonographers for liability and reinbursement reasons.

AWHON has guidlines for RN using limited third trimester OB ultrasound and there are courses designed for that available. There are also CE courses on ultrasound guided PICC line placement for nurses around. So the use of ultrasound is evolving into the RN scope of practice.

Certification is available through 3 organizations. www.ardms.org main credetials recognized. Vascular, echo, abdomen, neuro, OB-gyn ect. www.cci-online.org has vascular and echo certifications. www.arrt.org has general ultrasound and vascular. Nurses can learn on the job and qualify to be certified by CCI and ARDMS to become credentialed sonographers. ARRT the nurse must be certified in rad tech, radition therapy, or nuclear medicine first or attend an accredited program.

Hope this helps,
Jeremy

You will have to check into each state's requirements for the required courses/exams that must be completed in order for one to be a licensed sonographer.
As I'm affiliated w/hospital nursing (and Radiology), I know our sonographers are all Rad. Technologists first, then go on to specialized study in ultrasound.
After that they take exams for the RDMS (registered diagnostic medical sonographer). There are distinctions, too, between those trained to do abdominal ultrasound and, for example, cardiac or neonatal/neuro.
I really don't know if someone (nurse or otherwise) who is trained, for example, to do sonograms in a doctor's office, can challenge the exam(s) or can practice in a limited way, under the direction of that physician.
Again, I suggest you check the regulations of wherever you reside.

I honestly don't know how to answer your question, as I don't know what would be the legal liability of a sonographer in a physician's office.
Or of the liability/risk of an RN who practices as a sonographer.

I'm sorry!

Ultrasound sonographers are licensed. There are 3 ways to become a sonographer:

1. Get a radiology degree and apply to sonography school (1 year)
2. Have a license as a nurse, paramedic, EMT and apply
3. Have a BS in any field, grade point average 3.5 or higher and
apply.

My husband is currently in this process. He has a BS in management and a 4.0 GPA. He was told first preference is given to those with a BS in any field with a high GPA, then a rad, then a nurse, EMT or paramedic.

In Tennesse a nurse better not get caught doing an ultrasound!