Medical Sonography

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1975 that administers examinations and awards the following credentials:
•RDMS® – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer®
•RDCS® – Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer®
•RVT® – Registered Vascular Technologist®
•RPVI® – Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation®
•RMSK™ - Registered in Musculoskeletal™ sonography

Credentials awarded by ARDMS document personal achievement of recognized professional standards and are widely accepted in the medical community by sonography and vascular professional organizations. However, ARDMS does not validate the day-to-day job performance of any sonography professional,

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography was founded in 1970 to promote, advance, and educate its members and the medical community in the science of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The Society achieves its purpose by:
• seeking the cooperation of similar organizations • initiating and overseeing educational programs • stimulating and encouraging research • encouraging presentation and publication of scientific papers • collecting and disseminating information pertinent to the membership • publishing a scientific journal and a newsletter • reviewing and establishing policies regarding the professional status, legislative activity, and welfare of its members.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the world’s largest credentialing organization that seeks to ensure high quality patient care in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. We test and certify technologists and administer continuing education and ethics requirements for their annual registration.

Established in 1977 in Columbus, Ohio, as the Society of Non-Invasive Vascular Technology (SNIVT) and now known as the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU), formerly the Society of Vascular Technology (SVT), SVU is the only professional organization completely dedicated to the advancement of noninvasive vascular technology used in the diagnosis of vascular disease. The Society’s success for 30 years is based on the involvement of a diverse membership of vascular ultrasound professionals, including vascular technologists, sonographers, echocardiographers, vascular surgeons, physicians, nurses, vascular lab technical directors and other allied healthcare professionals. Located in the Washington, DC, suburb of Lanham, MD, SVU provides its members with regional continuing medical education programs on both introductory and advanced vascular interpretation, clinical and scientific manuals, Vascular Case Study CDs, an extensive website (www.svunet.org), networking opportunities, an annual conference, an Online Job Center, and extensive regulatory and legislative advocacy representation. Of SVU’s approximately 4,600 members, 24 percent are physicians. SVU publishes a monthly electronic newsletter called e-Spectrum, which is posted on the SVU website (www.svunet.org), as well as a quarterly scientific publication on vascular technology called the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound (JVU).

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is a professional organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, nurses and scientists involved in echocardiography, the use of ultrasound to image the heart and cardiovascular system. The organization was founded in 1975 and is the largest international organization for cardiac imaging.

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) was officially established as a multidisciplinary organization in 1952 when the use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis was in its infancy. Medical pioneers recognized the potential of this fast-growing imaging modality and agreed on the need to advance the art and science of ultrasound in medicine and research.

Over the past decades, the AIUM has achieved these goals through educational, scientific, and professional activities. The success, respect, and credibility that the AIUM has attained are based on the involvement of all ultrasound professionals, including physicians, sonographers, scientists, engineers, other healthcare providers, and manufacturers of ultrasound equipment. This unique combination of specialists ensures that recommended policies, practice standards, safety procedures, and performance guidelines receive the widest evaluation possible. The AIUM's emphasis is on making available to members the most up-to-date and accurate information and skill training so they can make the best use of this imaging modality while ensuring the safety of the patients who depend on them.