Board resources explain medical radiation practitioner obligations in the National Scheme

15 Dec 2015

The obligations of registered medical radiation practitioners are now explained in a video and infographic.

The three minute video and infographic, which were launched today by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia, outline what is expected of medical radiation practitioners who are registered with the Board under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).

Board Chair Neil Hicks said a medical radiation practitioner must meet the Board’s standards and expectations of the profession throughout the course of their career, not just upon initial registration.

‘The Board has produced these two resources to support medical radiation practitioners in doing the right thing as one of the 14 regulated health professions under the National Scheme,’ he said.

Obligations of all health practitioners registered under the National Scheme include carrying out and recording continuing professional development (CPD); and maintaining recency of practice to stay registered.

‘There are also mandatory requirements under the National Law¹, such as notifiying the Board of another practitioner’s conduct if it is believed the public may be at risk,’ Mr Hicks said.

‘Since joining the National Scheme in 2012, a low number of complaints about individuals in the profession have been made each year, which means the majority of medical radiation practitioners are meeting the standards set by the Board,’ he said.

Registered medical radiation practitioners number more than 14,800. In the 12 months ending 30 June 2015, 21 notifications (excluding New South Wales)² were received about medical radiation practitioners. More data about the profession is available in the latest annual report on the National Scheme.

Mr Hicks said the infographic highlights obligations that some medical radiation practitioners might not be aware of, including notifying the Board in writing within seven days if charged with or convicted of an offence punishable by 12 months jail or more.

‘The Board also needs to be told within 30 days if a medical radiation practitioner has changed their principal place of practice, name or address,’ he said.

‘Developed for both new and existing members of the profession, these resources aim to help clarify for a medical radiation practitioner what it means to be registered under the National Scheme.’

Mr Hicks said a registered medical radiation practitioner must be clear about what is expected of them by the Board and what is required of them under the National Law.

‘Our core role is to keep the public safe by ensuring it has access to qualified and competent medical radiation practitioners to provide quality care,’ he said.

‘As we must meet our obligations under the National Law, so must practitioners meet their obligations to stay registered.’

The video and info graphic are published on the Registration page of the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia's website.

For more information

• Access the video and infographic on the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia's website
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

¹The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory
²A co-regulatory model of regulation exists in NSW where the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is the body that receives complaints.