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Scopes of Practice

Without registration a person may not use any of the titles as listed below, or do anything calculated to suggest a person is qualified to be registered or able to practise in the scopes of practice gazetted for the profession of medical radiation technology. 

The Board has specified eight scopes of practice within the profession of medical radiation technology.  A practitioner may be registered and hold an annual practising certificate in more than one scope of practice.

1. Diagnostic Imaging General Technologist A diagnostic imaging general technologist practises diagnostic imaging - general which involves the use of ionising radiation to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
2. Radiation Therapist A radiation therapist practises radiation therapy which involves the use of treatment planning systems, ionising radiation and radionuclides for radiation treatment planning and delivery.
3. Nuclear Medicine Technologist A nuclear medicine technologist practises diagnostic imaging - nuclear medicine which involves the use of radionuclides to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
4. Sonographer A sonographer practises diagnostic imaging - ultrasound which involves the use of ultrasound waves to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist A magnetic resonance imaging technologist practises diagnostic imaging - magnetic resonance imaging which involves the use of magnetic resonance to gain a diagnostic image for evaluation.
6. Trainee Nuclear Medicine Technologist A trainee nuclear medicine technologist undertakes training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in nuclear medicine imaging.
7. Trainee Sonographer A trainee sonographer undertakes postgraduate training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in ultrasound.
8. Trainee Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist A trainee magnetic resonance imaging technologist undertakes postgraduate training in an approved medical radiation technology programme in magnetic resonance imaging.

Within a scope of practice a practitioner may have a condition that restricts them to working within a particular area of work, for example, in Diagnostic Imaging general, a Medical Radiation Technologist - Diagnostic Imaging General (Mammography only).

Training Scope of Practice:

As a registered medical radiation technologist (any scope of practice), you may apply for a training scope of practice in Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  The scope enables you to undertake training in a different scope of practice as you work towards gaining a further qualification.  As a minimum, you must hold one of the three prescribed undergraduate qualifications for the diagnostic imaging general scope of practice.    

Alternatively, if you are not registered in the profession of medical radiation technology but hold either an undergraduate degree in an appropriate health science as approved by the Board, and/or are registered with another New Zealand health registration authority, you may apply for a training scope of practice in nuclear medicine, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

Adding a Scope of Practice:

 After gaining your postgraduate qualification in Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and completing the required number of clinical hours, you may apply to the Board for registration in the relevant scope of practice.

You are not permitted to practise in an additional scope of practice until registration in that additional scope of practice has been approved.