volunteer handbook · the rmsk credential is offered. in 2015, this credential was split into the...
TRANSCRIPT
Volunteer Handbook
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Welcome!
Welcome to volunteering with the ARDMS! We are delighted you have joined our prestigious team of
volunteers who are subject matter experts and staff who work collaboratively to honor the legacy of
excellence in the use of diagnostic medical ultrasound that began more than 40 years ago. We enjoy a
stellar reputation for awarding sonographer-based credentials that are highly regarded throughout the
medical community and recognized throughout the world. As your career partner, we look forward to
working together as we continue our growth, innovation, and international reach.
As you become more involved with ARDMS, we hope you will find it to be a great source of professional
and personal enrichment. Volunteering as a subject matter expert with ARDMS is a tangible way to
promote quality patient care, guide the next generation of sonographers, grow in your career, and give
back to a profession you love. In addition, volunteering provides you with the opportunity to engage
with colleagues from all over North America and beyond who share your passion for the use of
diagnostic medical ultrasound.
Please stay connected with us, share your thoughts, and let us know how we can make your experiences
with us even better!
Warm Regards,
Paul Wagner, BS, RDMS, Chair, ARDMS Council
Dale Cyr, Chief Executive Officer
Toby Rabbin, Volunteer Engagement Program Manager
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Table of Contents
Achieving the mission of ARDMS to empower sonographers to provide exceptional patient care
depends on the commitment and expertise of our volunteers. Whether you are working on our
credentialing exams, talking with students and colleagues about what’s new at ARDMS, writing
an article to post our website, or “paying it forward” by offering students job-shadowing
opportunities or reviewing resumes, we want you to have the tools, information, and support
you need to be successful.
The handbook has been produced to help you understand the structure of our organization, its
history, and your role as volunteer. Please reach out to your staff liaison if you have any
questions or suggestions of how we can enhance the information in this handbook or your
volunteer experience with us.
Sections ARDMS through the Years
Vision and Mission Statements
ARDMS at a Glance
ARDMS Credentials and Specialties
Clearly Working Together: A Relationship
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers in Action
Training and Resources
Policies and Procedures
Inteleos Divisions and Departments
Contact Us
Commonly Used Acronyms and Words
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ARDMS through the Years
1970s
1974
The American Society of Ultrasound Technology Specialists (ASUTS), known today
as SDMS, is tasked with establishing a credentialing exam for sonography which is an
emerging health occupation.
At the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) annual meeting in Seattle,
WA, the first “norming” exam is given to volunteer physicians and sonographers who
help set the standard for the exam that will be implemented in the following year.
1975
ARDMS is incorporated in the state of Ohio with the mission to protect the public by
providing valid and high-quality certification procedures for medical professionals who
perform diagnostic medical sonography.
The first examinations – practical/oral and written – are administered in Winston-
Salem, NC. October 1974 – Two hundred "grandfathered" sonographers (i.e., those who
are in good standing with ASUTS) take a two-part exam: (1) A practical, hands-on
scanning of subjects given by a volunteer sonographer, and (2) an oral case-study
represented on films given by a volunteer physician. They are not required to take a
written exam.
Simultaneously, 200 “non-grandfathered” sonographers take a written exam which will
be followed by the practical/oral exam six months later.
1976
Practical/oral and written exams are administered at ten different sites across the
country, typically in university medical centers. Many Candidates travel great distances
at great expense to take the exams.
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1980s - 1990s
1983
For financial and logistical reasons, practical/oral and written portions of the exams are
integrated and administered as written questions. Hands-on testing is no longer
administered, and images are printed in exam booklets rather than presented on
slides. The RVT credential is offered for the first time.
Late 1980s
A change in ARDMS bylaws allows non-sonographers to serve as officers of the Board of
Directors so that physicians and physicists can bring their expertise to the organization.
Item-Development Workshops (IDWs) are established to keep the exams up-to-
date. The practice continues to this day and is the single largest category of volunteer
involvement.
1990
The RDCS credential is offered.
1991
The first computer-based ARDMS examination is administered in Baltimore, MD,
making it one of the first computer-based credentialing exams anywhere!
1994
ARDMS national headquarters relocates from Cincinnati, OH, to Rockville, MD, a
suburb of Washington, DC.
2000s
2001
A new ARDMS specialty of Breast Sonography (BR) is offered within the RDMS
credential.
2005
An online application is offered for the first time. ARDMS earns ANSI-ISO 17024
accreditation for the RDMS and RDCS credentials.
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2006
The RPVI credential, developed in response to requests from physicians who practice
vascular ultrasound, is offered for the first time.
2009
The SPI, a Sonographer Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, is offered for the first
time, replacing the need for Applicants to take a separate Principles & Instrumentation
(P&I) exam for each of their credentials.
2011
The Innovation Task Force is founded to ensure ARDMS assessments remain current
and continue to accurately measure competence as technologies in sonography evolve
and advance.
2012
The RMSK credential is offered. In 2015, this credential was split into the RMSKS for
sonographers and the RMSK for physicians.
The patented Semi-Interactive Console (SIC) items debut on the SPI exam.
2014
Work begins on the development of a certificate for Midwives (MW).
Picture Archive and Communication Simulation (PACSim) items (patent
pending) appear for the first time on an ARDMS exam (PVI).
2016
The governance structure of ARDMS changes with the introduction of Inteleos, an
umbrella management and governance organization, and an additional Council, the
Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA).
A new volunteer portal is launched, accessed via MY ARDMS, allowing Registrants to
learn about and apply online for opportunities and to create volunteer profiles.
For in-depth information about the history of ARDMS, photos, and quotes
from our past Board Chairs, read our 40th Anniversary Commemorative Book.
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Vision and Mission Statements
Introduced in 2016, Inteleos is the umbrella organization of the American Registry for
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Alliance for Physician Certification &
Advancement (APCA). Together, Inteleos, ARDMS, and APCA represent nearly 112,000
sonographers, physicians and medical professionals around the world dedicated to creating the
standards of excellence in healthcare.
Vision
Inteleos creates the global standards of excellence in healthcare.
Mission
Inteleos is a non-profit certification organization that delivers rigorous assessments and
cultivates a global community of professionals dedicated to the highest standards in healthcare
and patient safety.
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), founded in 1975,
administers examinations and awards credentials in the areas of medical ultrasound. With
more than 93,000 certified professionals worldwide, ARDMS is considered the global standard
of excellence in sonography.
Vision
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) creates the global
standards of professional excellence in sonography.
Mission
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) empowers sonographers to
provide exceptional patient care through rigorous assessments and continual learning.
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The Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA) is a new physician-centric
council spun out of ARDMS. To date, nearly 21,000 physicians have been welcomed into APCA.
Some physicians hold ARDMS as well as APCA certifications.
Vision: The Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement™ (APCA™) creates the global
standards of physician excellence in patient care.
Mission: The Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA) recognizes physicians’
enduring commitment to the highest quality patient care through rigorous assessments and
continual learning.
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ARDMS at a Glance
Location Headquartered in Rockville, MD (a suburb of Washington, DC)
Governance As of January 2016, managed by Inteleos, an umbrella organization that oversees several
healthcare organizations; governed directly by the volunteer-led ARDMS Council,
comprised of sonographers and subject-matter experts representing each of the specialty
exams
Staff Approximately 80 employees, including staff in six states
Accreditation Earned accreditation for Personnel Certification Bodies under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024: 2012
Exams Offers 10 specialty exams leading to four credentials
Scope 90,000+ Registrants worldwide, with the majority in the United States and Canada
Website ARDMS.org ARDMS.org/MYARDMS
Contact Us 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852
P (301) 738-8401 (800) 541-9754
F (301) 738-0312
Volunteer Engagement Program Manager Toby Rabbin
Direct Phone: (240) 386-1597 [email protected]
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ARDMS Credentials and Specialties
1975 RDMS – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer® (Since 1975) Abdomen (AB)
(Since 1975….being phased out) Neurosonology (NE)
(Since 1975) Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN)
(Since 2001) Breast (BR)
(Since 2004) Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
(Since 2015) Pediatric Sonography (PS)
1983 RVT – Registered Vascular Technologist® (Since 1983) Vascular Technology (VT)
1990 RDCS – Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer® (Since 1975) Adult Echocardiography (AE)
(Since 1975) Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)
(Since 2004) Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
2015 RMSKS – Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer® (Since 2015) Musculoskeletal Sonographer (MSKS)
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Clearly Working Together: A Relationship
Volunteers have worked side-by-side with ARDMS staff and each other since 1975. As
additional credentialing assessments and specialties are in development to meet the emerging
needs in the field of ultrasound, an expanded and evolving Volunteer Engagement Program
opens the door even wider for more Registrants to engage with ARDMS in career-long
relationships. Volunteer opportunities provide pathways for volunteers to make a difference in
the field of ultrasound, grow in their careers, and tap into their natural strengths and interests.
Becoming a Volunteer We welcome you to invite your colleagues and coworkers to join hundreds of our volunteers
who help develop exams, communicate about ARDMS, and guide students. Writing questions
for our exams provides a solid foundation if you are interested in becoming involved in
governance activities.
All ARDMS volunteers are required to meet two prerequisites (except in rare situations when
there are extenuating circumstances) before being allowed to submit a volunteer application:
Be an active ARDMS Registrant in good standing
Agree to the Volunteer and Confidentiality Agreement
Opportunities to Volunteer Develop Exams
Write questions (we call them items)
Review questions
Analyze test content
Set passing standards
Participate in a Job Task Analysis
Submit diagnostic-quality images Communicate about ARDMS
Share information, advancements, ultrasound-related stories
Tell students about the value of ARDMS certification
Incorporate what’s new at ARDMS in presentations at regional industry meetings
Guide Students
Offer job-shadowing opportunities
Review Resumes
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Volunteer Opportunities
Write Exam Questions Volunteers are integral to every step of the ARDMS exam-development
process. It all begins with writing questions (we call them items). Our
Item Writers are subject-matter experts who play a significant role in
shaping the body of knowledge required to become certified which,
ultimately, leads to high-quality patient care. Approximately 4,000
items are written by volunteers each year!
All new Item Writers receive training and are coached online by a Mentor for their first three
months to ensure that items follow ARDMS guidelines and reflect the appropriate level of
difficulty. Time commitment varies but, in general, an Item Writer might devote approximately
30 minutes crafting each item.
After becoming experienced at writing items, some volunteers are invited to join working
groups that review items, review images, review the content quality of exams, and set the
passing standards. Item Writing is the first step on the pathway to volunteer governance
positions.
Mentor New Item Writers If you are a successful ARDMS Item Writer, we encourage you to become a
Mentor to new Item Writers. Mentors provide constructive feedback online
and keep new writers committed to the task. The better the training of new
writers, the more efficient the entire exam-development process becomes.
Mentors receive training in two major areas: (1) the technical aspects of
mentoring in the remote item-writing software, and (2) on the characteristics
of effective feedback that guide writers toward better items.
Because new Item Writers are asked to write 10 items per project, a Mentor
might be asked to give feedback on 50 items over a three-month period.
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Contribute Articles The position of Content Contributor was created so that our
ARDMS Registrants can form a community in which you discuss
trends in the field of ultrasound, share what’s new and exciting
in your workplaces, and introduce yourself to your colleagues
around the country (and world!).
The articles you write will be posted in a new space we call Clearly Connected. That space is
easily accessed via the Volunteer page on the ARDMS website as well as directly from your
dashboard on this volunteer site (by clicking the purple tab right under you photo).
As a Content Contributor, you will work closely with an ARDMS staff member to ensure the
topic, style, and tone of the piece are appropriate for our website. While we cannot promise to
publish all contributed articles, we can promise that those we do publish will receive lots of
online attention!
Promote ARDMS at a School or a Meeting The next time you are invited to speak to an audience
of students or to present at a meeting, consider
introducing or advancing our shared mission of
providing quality care and patient safety through
certification and continuing competency by being an
ARDMS Ambassador. Depending on your request, our
staff will provide you with a few slides to include in a
larger presentation or a full set of slides about ARDMS
credentials and volunteer opportunities.
We are happy to ship informational materials and giveaways for ARDMS Ambassadors to
display at regional meetings where we are not exhibiting.
This activity is a great way to enhance your relationship with ARDMS while fulfilling professional
commitments you have already made.
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Offer Job Shadowing Opportunities A significant challenge for sonography students these days is
finding opportunities to job shadow. ARDMS has created this
new volunteer activity with the hope of facilitating matches
between those who need to meet a job-shadowing requirement
and those who are able to offer the opportunity. ARDMS is not
liable for any aspect of the job-shadowing experience.
Review Resumes Provide constructive feedback to sonography students and
recent graduates on how to polish their resumes for maximum
effectiveness. In this new ARDMS volunteer opportunity, you
will download a resume on this site, review it, and provide
comments for improvement. Volunteer reviewers and
students communicate back-and-forth online until a
satisfactory outcome is achieved.
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ARDMS Volunteers in Action
Many volunteers help develop specialty exams by
writing and reviewing questions and setting the passing
standards. Much of that work is done in small groups at
meetings in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area or in
regional workshops in different parts of the country.
The work is stimulating, intense, and educational.
Downtime is spent enjoying the company of old and new
friends who share a passion for the use of diagnostic
medical sonography.
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ARDMS Online Resource Center
The ARDMS online Resource Center houses the information you need to be successful in your
volunteer position, including training and resource materials for each volunteer opportunity.
The Resource Center may be accessed only on the dashboard (homepage) of your volunteer
profile.
Exam Development Exam Content Outlines
• Abdomen
• Adult Echocardiography
• Breast
• Fetal Echo
• Musculoskeletal – Sonographers
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pediatric Echocardiography
• Pediatric Sonography
• Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
• Vascular Technology
Item Writer
• Item Writer – Orientation
• Item Writer Training (PowerPoint)
• Instructions for Using EPIC
• Item Writing Handbook
• Specifications for Submitting Media in EPIC
• Stem Starters
Mentor to Item Writers
• Mentor to Item Writers: Orientation
• Coaching Tips
• Evaluating Your Mentees
• Example of Mentee Tracking Sheet
• Template for Tracking Your Mentees’ Progress
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• Mentor Training (PowerPoint)
• Mentor Training - Part 1 (Video)
• Mentor Training - Part 2 (Video)
• Mentor Training - Part 3 (Video)
• Mentor Training - Part 4 (Video)
ARDMS Ambassador ARDMS Ambassador: Orientation
ARDMS Ambassador: Exhibit Booths
ARDMS Ambassador: Effective Presentations
Current Volunteer Positions with ARDMS
Some Questions You Might Be Asked
Talking Points to Recruit Item Writers
Career Guide • Disclaimer for Career Guide
• Disclaimer for Students
Content Contributor • Content Contributor: Orientation
• Writing Articles
• Writing Blog Posts
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Volunteer Policies and Procedures
Prerequisites for Becoming a Volunteer
Confidentiality
Code of Conduct
Conflict of Interest
Financial Reimbursement
Supervision and Support
Reporting Hours
Returning after an Extended Absence
Ending the Volunteer Relationship
Confidentiality Maintaining confidentiality is of utmost importance. Because the majority of our volunteers are
intimately and intricately involved with the questions (items) on ARDMS exams, we ask that
each volunteer agrees to the behaviors detailed in the Volunteer and Confidentiality
Agreement. Lack of agreement will prohibit someone from volunteering.
Code of Conduct
Inteleos personnel, including both staff and consultants, are highly skilled professionals who
serve the vision and mission of the organization. The working partnership between Inteleos
personnel, volunteer leaders, and various subject-matter experts is the core strength of
Inteleos and its related entities, including ARDMS. The interaction between Inteleos personnel
and volunteers is solely meant to complete specific organizational tasks and ensure efficient
and effective development and management of projects and programs. Interactions between
Inteleos personnel and volunteers should be professional and respectful in accordance with
Inteleos culture at all times. Inteleos is fully committed to providing a harassment-free
workplace and expressly prohibits any unwelcome behavior by any volunteers, consultants,
staff or other third parties that has the intended or unintended effect of making personnel feel
uncomfortable or unsafe, whether it be through verbal, physical, or nonverbal behavior.
Individuals who experience or witness any such behavior should immediately report to an on-
site staff member, Chief Assessment Officer, or any Executive Staff member so it can be
immediately investigated.
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Conflict of Interest Conflict of interest is assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, it is always a conflict of
interest when a volunteer owns, works for, or participates in a prep class for any ARDMS exam,
has done so in the past 12 months, or plans to do so in the coming 12 months. When such
conflict of interest is discovered, it will necessitate the immediate termination of the person’s
volunteer activity.
Financial Reimbursement We recognize that the time and commitment of our volunteers is vital to the achievement of
our mission as we continue to grow. Our Travel and Expense Policy reflects our dual goals of
(1) remaining fiscally prudent, and (2) continuing to show profound appreciation for the
efforts volunteers expend while on business-related travel for ARDMS. To see which specific
expenses are eligible for reimbursement, please review the Inteleos Volunteer Travel and
Expense Policy.
Supervision and Support Each volunteer position is managed by an Inteleos staff member. Our goal is to build a
relationship in which volunteers feel supported and comfortable discussing all aspects of their
volunteer engagement with us.
Depending on the volunteer activity, the amount of supervision varies from only introductory
information to regularly-scheduled calls and meetings throughout the year. In general,
volunteers who participate in any aspect of exam development or ARDMS governance enjoy
greater interaction and teamwork with their staff liaisons.
Reporting Hours We do not ask volunteers to record the number of hours spent on volunteer activities.
However, if you volunteer in exam development, it would be helpful for the staff to have an
estimate of how much time you devote to your volunteer tasks over a three-month period. You
may share that information with your staff liaison at any time.
Returning after an Extended Absence We welcome former volunteers to become engaged with ARDMS when they, once again, have
the time and desire to do so. An email or phone call to the Volunteer Engagement Program
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Manager will begin the process. Depending on the situation and the activity, the volunteer
might be asked to repeat training that was previously taken.
Ending the Volunteer Relationship If you no longer desire to, or are unable to, volunteer with ARDMS in your current role, please send an
email to your staff liaison as soon as possible. We know that the time you spend on ARDMS activities is a
choice, and we will always understand when other aspects of your life take precedence or your
motivation is no longer as strong. However, we do count on your involvement when we plan our
projects and events, so clear and honest communication is greatly appreciated.
If a situation arises in which ARDMS decides to remove you from the volunteer activity in which you are
currently engaged, you will be notified by the Volunteer Engagement Program Manager with a clear
explanation of cause and, perhaps, the opportunity to engage in a different volunteer activity with
ARDMS.
If a volunteer does not adhere to the policies outlined in the Volunteer and Confidentiality Agreement or
to the Code of Conduct, an executive staff member will inform the volunteer of the termination of the
volunteer relationship.
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Inteleos Divisions and Departments
Executive Division
Executive Team
The Executive team includes the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and five
Division Chief Officers:
Chief Assessment Officer
Chief Business Development Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Chief Technology Officer
The team is accountable for daily operations at Inteleos and for executing the strategic goals as
directed by the Inteleos Board of Directors.
Community Resources Department
The Community Resources Department manages the human and office resources of the
organization.
Human Resources (HR) – The HR team oversees the full-life cycle of an employee
through recruitment, compensation and benefits, training and development,
performance management and payroll. In addition, the team is responsible for ensuring
the organization remains compliant with federal, state and local employment laws.
Facilities – The Facilities team creates an environment that encourages productivity, is
safe and attractive to staff, volunteers and guests. In addition, the team manages the
design, planning, construction, maintenance and safety of equipment and the office.
Compliance and Accreditation Department
The Compliance team works closely with volunteer-led committees and governance leaders to
preserve the level of professionalism and trust for which ARDMS and its sister Councils are
globally recognized. The focus of the team is to create and uphold policies designed to protect
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patient safety, ensure that our Registrants’ credentials remain credible and provide a clear and
fair review process.
Innovation Department
The Innovation Department consists of staff located outside the national office who focus on
developing new assessment methodologies to ensure that Inteleos examinations continue to
accurately reflect the necessary knowledge and skills as technologies in sonography evolve and
advance. The Innovation team uses technology every day to reinvent the traditional workplace
as well as the way sonography and medical imaging will be defined and assessed in the future.
Assessment Division
Certification Department
The Certification Department is comprised of two parts: the Certification Processing Team and
the Customer Care Team. Both teams interact directly with Applicants, Registrants, educators,
employers, and the public to provide prompt, concise, personalized, reliable, and innovative
customer relations via phone, email, the website, and personal-login pages.
In addition, the Certification Department has many related responsibilities:
Screens and processes all applications for exams.
Processes information needed for the awarding and maintenance of certification,
such as printing and mailing welcoming packages, CME audit information,
renewals, and appeals.
Researches and responds to Candidates’ appeals concerning their experiences
scheduling and/or taking an exam.
Processes administrative requests.
Testing Department
The Testing Department works extensively and cooperatively with volunteer subject-matter
experts to develop all exams. The Testing Department is comprised of three essential units:
Test Development – Together, volunteers and staff determine content, write and review
items (questions), and publish exams.
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Test Content – Staff sonographers and a videographer ensure content is accurate and all
media are formatted correctly.
Psychometric Assessment Services – Staff psychometricians use advanced analytical
techniques to ensure items and exams are fair, reliable, and valid.
Business Development Division
Business Development is focused on strategic alliances, corporate relations, and opportunities
to expand Inteleos’ reach both domestically and globally. Working with volunteers and staff,
Business Development helps to identify opportunities for partnership and growth to further the
mission of improving patient safety internationally.
Finance Division
Accounting Department
The Accounting Department ensures that Inteleos fulfills its mission by planning, monitoring,
and reporting on the financial resources of the organization with oversight from the Finance
and Audit Committee, which reviews the organizational financial statements, approves the
annual audit, and has oversight of the annual budget and investment accounts.
Risk Management Department
The Risk-Management team identifies and analyzes major contracts, new program initiatives,
proposed facilities, and claims to determine financial impact and potential loss to the
organization, employees, constituencies, and the public.
Marketing and Engagement Division
Marketing Department
The Marketing and Communication Department develops and promotes messages to large
audiences:
General Marketing and Communications – Expands the reach of Inteleos by reinforcing
the mission and introducing new audiences to the benefits of certification.
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Registrant Management Program – Ensures that Registrants have the information they
need to maintain their certification (e.g., renewals, ID cards, CME Audit, recertification,
Registry Reports).
Engagement Department
The Engagement Department communicates directly with specific groups, creating and
maintaining personalized relationships with constituencies:
Academic Programs – Provide students and educators with resources, information, and
support regarding the field of ultrasound and ARDMS credentialing.
Meetings and Tradeshows – Manages the dozens of meetings and events Inteleos hosts
or participates in each year.
Volunteer Engagement Program – Develops and enhances volunteer opportunities and
recruits and recognizes volunteers.
Technology Division
The Technology Division develops, maintains, and upgrades the all aspects of the technological
infrastructure of Inteleos:
Creates new information systems and resources to enable Inteleos to meet its
current and future strategic goals.
Supports, maintains, and updates our existing information systems, continually
moving Inteleos forward.
Ensures that information systems operate as designed, without errors or omissions,
so that all data is current and correct.
Keeps systems, networks, personal computers, and mobile devices running smoothly
for the department’s internal and external customers.
Stays current about new technologies, processes, and tools, and recommends new
ideas and technology for the department’s internal and external customers.
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Contact Us
Each volunteer opportunity is managed by a staff liaison who is the primary contact for volunteers engaged in
that activity. If you have questions, concerns, or need resources and support relating to your position, please
reach out to your staff liaison first. At any time, however, feel free to call or write to the Volunteer
Engagement Program Manager with feedback and suggestions about your volunteer experience with ARDMS.
Position Staff Liaison, Email, Phone General Inquiries and Comments Toby Rabbin, Volunteer Engagement Program Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
ARDMS Meetings and Events Quione Rice, Meetings and Events Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1598
Item Writer Bronwen Sandor, Item Development Coordinator
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
Mentor to Item Writers Bronwen Sandor
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
Exams
Fetal Echocardiography
Pediatric Echocardiography
Obstetrics-Gynecology
Midwives
Hannah Gibson, Exam Program Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1565
Exams
Pediatric Sonography
Vascular Technology
Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
Adam Dwoskin, Exam Program Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1559
Exams
Abdomen
Adult Echocardiography
Musculoskeletal (Sonographer)
Mischa Truong, Exam Program Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1609
Exams
Breast
Darlene Leuschke, Exam Program Manager
[email protected] (240) 386-1584
ARDMS Ambassador
Promote ARDMS at meetings
Work at exhibit booths
Toby Rabbin
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
Career Guide
Review resumes
Offer job-shadowing opportunities
Toby Rabbin
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
Content Contributor
Write articles for the website
Toby Rabbin
[email protected] (240) 386-1597
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Commonly Used Acronyms and Words
AB Abdomen
AE Adult Echocardiography
AOT Assessment Oversight Team
APCA Alliance for Physician Certification and Advancement
ARDMS American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
BR Breast
Candidate Some who has been approved to take an ARDMS exam
CMEs Continuing Medical Education credits
Council The governance body of ARDMS, managed by Inteleos
Credentials Earned by those who pass the SPI exam plus at least one specialty exam
Distractors The wrong optional answers to an item
EPIC The name of the remote item-writing software
EPM Exam Program Manager
FE Fetal Echocardiography
IDW Item Development Workshop
Item All the parts of a question, including the stem, distractors, and key
JTA Job Task Analysis survey
Key The correct answer to an item
MSKS Musculoskeletal Sonographers
MSKP Musculoskeletal Physicians
MW Midwife sonography certificate
OB-GYN Obstetrics & Gynecology
OCR Online Committee Review
PE Pediatric Echocardiography
POC Point of Care
POCUS Point-of-Care Ultrasound
PS Pediatric Sonography
PVI Physicians’ Vascular Interpretation examination
Registrant Someone who has earned an ARDMS credential
RIW Remote Item-Writing
SME Subject Matter Expert
SPI Sonography Principles & Instrumentation
Stem The question part of an item
TCOG Transition Center Oversight Group
VT Vascular Technology
WGL Working Group Lead
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Since 1975, volunteers like you have chosen
to share expertise and knowledge to
enhance the stature of sonographers
and to ensure that the standard for
patient care remains high.
Thank you for joining our team.
Together, we are making a difference.