Lawmakers in Ontario, Canada, have passed legislation that establishes practice standards for diagnostic medical sonographers, according to the Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences (OAMRS).
The Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act mandates that sonographers be regulated under the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario's (CMRTO) Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The bill will legitimize the educational qualifications for diagnostic medical sonographers and will raise the profile and credibility of the profession within the healthcare industry, according to Greg Toffner, president and CEO of OAMRS.
"OAMRS has been working collaboratively with the Ontario government to achieve this regulation on behalf of sonographers and in the public interest," he said in a statement.
As a result of the legislation, diagnostic medical sonographers join 28 other health professions regulated under the RHPA and will be required to pass an accredited college or university program and a certification exam approved by the CMRTO to practice in Ontario.
