In an earlier blog post I raised the issue of the need for professional and academic prerequisites for certification as a MR Safety Expert. The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM), the professional body responsible for the training, scope of practice, professional conduct, qualifications, and continuing education of medical physicists in Australia and New Zealand, offers an MRSE course and certification scheme.
Following a successful pilot in 2020, this online course will run again from September 2023. It will include webinars by Australasian experts, practical assignments, and written assessments. At present the course is only available to ACPSEM members and registered trainees, setting the academic benchmark as a minimum of Masters level medical physics or engineering.
The course will cover
- MR physics and engineering
- Physics of electromagnetism
- Magnetic materials
- Magnetic forces
- Magnetic induction
- Bio-effects of static, gradient, and RF fields
- MR and pregnancy
- Safety of Gd contrast agents
- Acoustic noise and hearing protection
- SAR and B1+rms
- Passive and active implants
- Implant testing
- Off-label scanning
- MR suite design
- Specialist systems
- Occupational exposure
- Management of MR safety
- National and international guidance and standards
The certified professionals will be able to fulfil the role of MRSE as outlined in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists’ MR Safety Guidelines.
For more details about the course and to express an interest in registering contact the ACPSEM at https://www.acpsem.org.au/Courses-and-Events/-ACPSEM-Magnetic-Resonance-Safety-Expert-Certification.
ACPSEM, the official pan-national professional association and college for medical physicists in Australasia, also provides training and certification for medical physicists in radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and mammography.
See also:
ACPSEM http://acpsem.org.au
RANZCR https://www.ranzcr.com
MRI Safety Standards and Guidance
UK Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine POLICY STATEMENT: Scientific Safety Advice to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Units that Undertake Human Imaging
It’s encouraging to see ACPSEM setting such a rigorous standard for MR Safety Experts. The combination of theoretical knowledge, practical assignments, and assessment ensures that certified professionals are truly equipped to manage MR safety risks. Covering everything from MR physics and electromagnetic principles to implants, occupational exposure, and regulatory standards, this course seems essential for maintaining high safety standards in clinical environments. Limiting participation to qualified medical physicists or engineers reinforces the importance of proper expertise in this highly specialized field.
Dr Barbie Smith
Radiation Safety Officer