As COVID-19 evolves so to will the ARDMS response. Join the new ARDMS Coronavirus Facebook community, along with thousands of your colleagues and find answers to your frequently asked COVID-19 questions. In addition, learn how practitioners are using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to fight COVID-19.
Application Processing
We are currently accepting applications for all on-demand and open windowed examinations.
Note to Applicants: All documents need to be uploaded to your MY ARDMS account at time of application. Please do not mail or fax in any application documents. To upload application documents please log in to your MY ARDMS account. You can access the “Upload Documents” option under “My Resources.” Please select the “Application Documents” file type.
Test Center Update
Despite many nationwide test center closures, Pearson VUE has worked closely with the owners of test programs for essential medical services to find an alternative solution that would allow for the testing in these critical fields to continue, to support the high demand due to COVID-19. All ARDMS and APCA examinations have been identified as being in fields that are critical to support COVID-19 patient care.
As a result, Pearson VUE is opening a limited number of Pearson Professional Centers where possible in major metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. Those with a previously scheduled, but cancelled, examination appointment are welcome to follow the scheduling instructions in the Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) to schedule an appointment at this time.
Important: Pearson VUE is following government guidelines for social distancing and limiting the number of individuals, including staff, in the test center at any time. As a result of these measures, appointment availability will be extremely limited, and scheduling will take time.
Pearson VUE is now requiring all candidates, regardless of local requirements, to wear a mask while at Pearson VUE test centers. Please bring your own mask to the test center. This policy is in the best interest of candidates and Pearson VUE staff, and aligns with CDC recommendations. Refusal to wear a mask will result in being turned away at the test center and forfeiture of all examination fees.
Please refer to the Pearson Vue website for the most up to date information regarding test center openings and availability by country.
Meetings and Events Update
Please check back regularly as more conferences and volunteer meetings may be cancelled or held virtually due to the spread of COVID-19.
Conference Update
Conference | Dates | Status |
---|---|---|
AIUM Conference | Apr 11 – Apr 14, 2021 | Virtual Only AIUM has made the decision to hold their event virtually. |
ASE Scientific Sessions | Jun 18 – Jun 21, 2021 | Virtual Only ASE has made the decision to hold their event virtually. |
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Volunteer Meeting Cancellations
Dates | Meeting Name | Location City/State/Country |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
March 13-14, 2020 | FE Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED – Virtual Only |
April 3-4, 2020 | SIC Working Group Meeting | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED – Virtual Only |
April 16-18, 2020 | PS Practice Analysis & Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
April 17-18, 2020 | BR Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
April 17-18, 2020 | AB Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
April 25-26, 2020 | Regional IDW | Detroit, MI | CANCELLED |
May 2-3, 2020 | CBCCT Preliminary Form Review | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED – Virtual Only |
May 15-16, 2020 | PE Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
May 15-16, 2020 | MW Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
May 15-17, 2020 | AE Standard Setting & Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 5-6, 2020 | PVI Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 5-6, 2020 | VT Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 11-13, 2020 | SPI Practice Analysis & Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 13-14, 2020 | MSK Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 13-14, 2020 | MSKS Item Development Workshop | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 13-14, 2020 | CBNC Preliminary Form Review | Rockville, MD | CANCELLED* |
June 22, 2020 | ARDMS Q2 2020 Compliance Hearings | Washington, D.C. | CANCELLED* |
June 28-30, 2020 | CVI Multi-Modality Item Development Workshop with Ottawa Heart Institute | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | CANCELLED |
*Virtual Status TBD
Please check back regularly as more conferences and volunteer meetings may be cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19.
Health and Safety
Your sonographer peers are sharing insightful and timely information about the latest practice updates via the ARDMS COVID-19 Facebook Community. Please use this resource to connect with others and share guidance and resources.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Decisions regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rest with Federal and State governments, local public health authorities and within the practice/institutional level.
Discontinuation of Non-Essential Ultrasounds:
Many states and localities are issuing directives on non-essential surgeries and medical procedures. Some practices and institutions are also creating new guidelines for elective and non-critical care. Please check with your local or state government, medical authority and/or practice/institution regarding non-essential ultrasound studies.
Job Seeker Support
How to Accelerate Your Career During COVID-19
With so much uncertainty, you may have many questions and concerns about your career. But this uncertainty doesn’t have to stall your growth in your sonography career. As a service to our ARDMS community, we are offering several suggestions that will empower you to set yourself up for success after COVID-19 ends. Read the full article.
COVID-19 Information Clearinghouse
Stay up to Date with the Latest Information on Personal Safety, Psychological Well-Being, and Physical Health
Eight sonography organizations have come together to create a central location, providing education and community building as a means of fostering your personal safety, psychological well-being, and physical health during the Coronavirus outbreak. We hope you find the COVID-19 Information Clearinghouse helpful.
Valuable Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
–Infection Prevention for Healthcare Workers
–How to Prepare and Take Action for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings
World Health Organization (WHO)
–Q&A on Coronaviruses
Johns Hopkins University
–COVID-19 Global Case Tracker
SDMS
–COVID-19: Lung Ultrasound (On-Demand webinar)
–Sonography of the Lungs: Diagnosis and Surveillance of Patients With COVID-19
The above are only a few of the resources that we utilize to monitor the ongoing situation. If you have found a resource that has been helpful to you, please contact our Customer Care Team at communications.ARDMS@inteleos.org so we can share with our community as necessary. In the meantime, reduce your chances of being infected and/or spreading COVID-19 by taking these simple precautions as outlined by the CDC:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going the bathroom; before eating; and blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow and dispose of the tissue immediately.
- Maintain at least 1-meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using regular household detergent and water.
- Only use a mask if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Masks do not help against becoming infected, only against the spreading of the disease, and should be saved for patients who have been infected and the health care providers treating them.
Letter to Assist You in Advocating for PPEs and Practice Changes
ARDMS stands with the Registrant and sonography community in calling for PPEs and limiting elective sonography studies. To help you advocate for immediate change at your practice setting, please download and share this letter with your employer, healthcare administrators and others. Please access the ARDMS letter here.
Similar letters from AIUM, SDMS, and other healthcare organizations have been sent to government officials, regulatory bodies and the medical community. Please have these letters accompany the ARDMS letter as further evidence of the need for PPEs and limiting exams.