10 The Institute Spectrum July 2010

NSW Qld Vic SA Other

Walker Joanne 29th April 2000

Brackman Pamela Jeanne 25th April 1999

Macaulay Susan 20th November 2004

Upton Georgina 22nd June 2002

Fung Kam Ping29th April 2000

Hong Kong

Shumack Susan 12th March 2002

Holt Judith Joanne25th April 1999

Chapple Bronwyn 30th November 2002

Bentley Kelly Maree 12th April 2003

Smith Carmel 1st November 2003

Knight Bronwyn Anne 1st November 2003

Visser Christine 30th June 2006

Bowey Elizabeth 7th May 2005

The Advanced Breast Imaging CertificateLiz Stewart and Janet Brook MIAP2 panel members

The Advanced Breast Imaging certificate (ABIC) is an award that was developed by the then AIR Mammography Advisory Panel (MAP). The specialised area of mammography was expanding with the advent of the BreastScreen Australia programme and while radiographers were required to become eligible for their Certificate in Clinical Proficiency in Mammography (CCPM) there was no further recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of breast imaging.

Over the years, many radiographers employed in breast imaging have undertaken further studies in breast ultrasound or research, been involved in designing and implementing training programmes and educational courses, have presented at confer-ences, as well as having been actively involved in committees and professional bodies.

It was felt there should be an award that could be worked towards which acknowledged all of these varying aspects of breast imaging, while demonstrating commitment and outstand-ing professional contribution in some form.

For the 13 ABIC recipients to date, their skills and contribu-tion in the breast imaging field have been many and varied. From setting up early mammography training courses, undertaking Churchill Fellowship, studying international mammography training courses, to undertaking research papers, innovative training opportunities in breast imaging in their services, to being recognised as experts in the field as tutors. Mammographers have also represented the AIR or mammography discipline on external/national committees, writing papers, chapters, policies or being state/national BreastScreen mammography representa-tives or involved in formal consultancy reports to name a few.

Each case has been exceptional and has shown considerable dedication in both time and effort to breast imaging, outside of professional roles.

The ABIC guidelines state “radiographers must demonstrate a significant commitment to the specialised field of breast imaging through employment and involvement at a high level in breast imaging techniques and a range of associated activi-ties. Successful applicants will have a thorough knowledge and understanding of breast imaging at an advanced level and be participating in continuing professional development...”

They include the following guidelines to assist those apply-ing.The assessment is divided into three groups and applicants are requested to demonstrate evidence of at least five in three distinct areas:

a) Demonstrated professional expertise in breast imagingb) Possession of postgraduate qualifications or postgraduate

developmental experience relevant to breast imagingc) Demonstrated levels of performance and innovation result-

ing in recognition by peers, industry or other client groups.Each category (A, B and C) must be fully addressed in a written application and detailed supporting evidence for each example must be provided. Evidence may include: certificates, super-visor's reports, testimonials, references, etc. Items submitted should be grouped in the appropriate category and be docu-mented in chronological order.

The above criteria need to be demonstrated as having been met by submitting a minimum of five examples from each cat-egory. Applicants are strongly advised to submit as many exam-ples as possible and should not feel restricted to the examples given below.(a) Demonstrated professional expertise in breast imaging

(minimum of five examples to be provided)n High standard of expertise in producing mammograms,

with a history of excellent performance demonstrated through references and/or client compliments and feed-back

n Ability to discuss modifications to basic breast imaging techniques in order to produce improvements in difficult cases

n Appreciation of the principles underlying breast imaging techniques, as well as developing and emerging new technologies and modalities

n Highly developed skills in quality control and “trouble shooting” demonstrated through a quality assurance role

n Ability to instruct and tutor staff effectively in breast imaging techniques demonstrated through a mentoring or supervisory role

n Involvement in workplace on committees, QA groups, advisory bodies etc to provide professional advice

n Other.(b) Possession of postgraduate qualifications or postgradu-

ate developmental experience relevant to breast imaging(minimum of five examples to be provided)n Ultrasound qualifications/courses/experiencen Management role/coursesn Supervisory coursesn Training or Clinical Instructor courses

Advanced Breast Imaging Certificate recipients

11 Spectrum July 2010 The Institute

n Quality Assurance coursesn Undertaking formal role of Course Coordinator, Tutor or

Supervising Radiographern Undertaking a research project relevant to breast imagingn Other.(c) Demonstrated levels of performance and innova-

tion resulting in recognition by peers, industry or other client groups (minimum of five examples to be provided)

n Involvement in professional bodyn Representation of the employer or profession on external

committees or advisory bodiesn Original in-service presentations and participation in

organised training sessions for radiographersn Active involvement in conferences and seminars relevant

to breast imaging (giving lectures/leading workshops/participating as a panelist)

n Reports (written or verbal) on conferences/seminars attended

n Articles/papers publishedn Recognition as a resource person who collects, collates

and imparts knowledge ie. recognition as a specialist or consultant

n Preparation of significant internal reports (reports/critical appraisals on equipment, project plans, manuals, depart-mental management and design)

n Talks to community/professional groupsn Invitation/s by industry to demonstrate clinical applica-

tion of their product/sn Other.

Evaluation processAt least three breast imaging members of the Medical Imaging Advisory Panel assess each application individually using the ABIC Checklist.1 This checklist is designed to ensure consist-ency in evaluation of applications and includes a weighting sys-tem2 for the assessment of the examples and supporting evidence provided. If consensus cannot be reached, the application will be considered by all MIAP2 members where a majority decision will apply.

The weighting system allows each piece of evidence to be given a scoring of 0–3.

By including the weighting system, only a small percentage of persons achieve the award meeting the 75% needed to gain the ABIC.

Those that do not quite achieve the scoring required are usu-ally weaker in one category.

If you decide to apply, it is worth providing as much evidence as possible from as many sources as possible for each section.

To date, the scoring system has worked very well with mem-bers consistently reaching close agreement on scores independ-ently. While all submissions are seen by panel members at face to face meetings only a couple of times has the full panel been required to discuss and argue over the merits of the applica-tion in detail following disagreement between the three scoring members.

The MIAP2 felt it was timely to write about the ABIC and in deed publicly recognise those who hold the award to date. Well done (see table).

References1 ABIC Checklist 2002 updated Nov 2005, 20082 Weighting System 0 – example not provided 1 – example provided, minor level of achievement demonstrated 2 – example provided, average level of achievement demonstrated 3 – example provided, high level of achievement demonstrated A total of at least 34 must be obtained to satisfy the requirements.

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email mit@bigpond.net.au www.medimage.com.au call Rob Shrimpton 0418 880 885 or Lindsay Stewart 0412 730 519