[buraian-kun]

...at least for now.

Way back in July, I sent off two big envelopes to the two NZ organizations that relate to my profession (Cardiac ultrasound). Actually, one is a professional society ("SCT"), the other a credentialing board ("CPRB"). Each envelope was crammed with carefully arranged documents to support my qualification. A few weeks ago, after three months of waiting (and many "What's my status?!!" e-mails). I finally got my answers: SCT: "Welcome aboard!" CPRB: "Application unsuccessful."

How dare they?! Americans INVENTED ultrasound in medicine! ...Okay, we didn't really, but neither did the Aussies, and the gold standard for CPRB is a Australian university! (No offence to Aussies.)

Apparently, my education (at one of the most highly regarded ultrasound schools in the USA) didn't meet their standards, based on the curriculum of Queensland University of Technology. They did say they'd be happy to reconsider my application if I went back to school for two years (in Brisbane) to re-learn what I already know.

So that's the short version of the story. I can't get a job without the right credentials, even with work experience and industry standard USA credentials. And even if I did find an employer who didn't care, the possibility exists that CPRB credentials will become mandatory to practise in NZ. It may come next year or five years from now or maybe never. But if it does happen, I'll be out of a job. If I were single, I might take the risk. But as a married man, contemplating starting a family, I just can't do it.

Anyway, my wife has been thinking about getting an international MBA, so for now we're going to move forward with that plan. Who knows, maybe it'll help us get to NZ in a couple of years. Or maybe our future lies elsewhere (though Australia looks unlikely, now that I've seen that bird-eating spider!).

But I'll keep checking in here from time to time. Thanks, everyone. And good luck to all you future Kiwis.

Cheers,
-Brian*

P.S.- Thanks to Parsley for this: www.icanhascheezburger.com (http://www.icanhascheezburger.com). Made my day.

[JandM]

So sorry to hear this - what a kick in the teeth it must be. I suppose there's no room for appeal or argument, or you'd be doing it.

[peebles16]

I was going to suggest appealing too :yes As an aside my OH has to be registered with a similar professional body and they have recently changed their entry requirements. However, his staff didn't find themselves out of a job he just has to complete on the job assessments for them.

All the best in whatever you choose to do :)

Karenx

[kanatakiwi]

This seems incredibly unfair!!. I am wondering what you can do to take this further as it certainly seems overly bureaucratic, especially when we are crying out for health care workers of all kinds in this country.

This is just a long shot, but is there any point in raising this with the institution in the U.S. that granted you your accreditation, and have them appeal the decision with the NZ board? It might have more clout than you appealing on your own.

[Gar1]

I am sorry to hear that you are having such problems however


How dare they?! Americans INVENTED ultrasound in medicine! ...Okay, we didn't really, but neither did the Aussies, and the gold standard for CPRB is a Australian university! (No offence to Aussies.).

As you point out no they did not. What should they then use as there Gold Standard. I assume you think it should be one from the USA.


Apparently, my education (at one of the most highly regarded ultrasound schools in the USA) didn't meet their standards, based on the curriculum of Queensland University of Technology. They did say they'd be happy to reconsider my application if I went back to school for two years (in Brisbane) to re-learn what I already know.

I get the feeling that you are assuming that just because you have a US education that it is better than that of any other country.


industry standard USA credentials.


Should read "USA industry standard credentials."

[batgirl1001]

Sorry about that, even if you did insult my alma mater ;).

I think it is unfair that you got rejected so perhaps you can try fighting it from your end if you feel you still want to.

Perhaps your field is so specialised that there is no real body to determine your qualifications so they did the next best thing which is to compare with a degree course in the same field from an Australian university.

Sometimes the units in the curriculum are different in some ways and perhaps could be the reason why they reject your qualification. You can check with QUT to find out what the units are and if you can verify that you have similar if not the same experience; you can certainly argue your case there.

Secondly if your school is one of the best, it should be recognised worldwide and accredited with many countries and hence that could be a point to argue for. A school recommendation letter to prove that might be helpful to convince the NZ body of your qualifications.Such a case makes a stronger point that you fighting this alone.

The last point if you can contact someone in NZ who recognised that you have the qualifications necessary than such a person may vouch for you, preferably an employer who is willing to hire you because you met the conditions and prerequisites of the job. They know what they best need and if you are the right person for the job.

[buraian-kun]

Sorry about that, even if you did insult my alma mater ;).

:confused: What did I say? I really meant no offense. (Unless you're fond of those giant spiders!)
Here, let's be friends and have a cold one! :cheers

Seriously, thanks for the advice. I will be trying some of what you suggest. This is going to be a long-term project though, because the people I'm dealing with take forever to return e-mails (if they ever do). According to their website, they usually take one to two weeks to approve applications. In my case, it was nearly three months. I probably will appeal, but in the meantime, I have to get on with my life.

Secondly if your school is one of the best, it should be recognised worldwide and accredited with many countries and hence that could be a point to argue for. A school recommendation letter to prove that might be helpful to convince the NZ body of your qualifications.Such a case makes a stronger point that you fighting this alone.

Coincidentally, the woman who ran my ultrasound program (and taught me everything I know) is Australian. She is going to be crushed when I tell her she didn't educate me to New Zealand or Australian standards. :uhoh

Cheers,
-Brian*

[willsken]

I get the feeling that you are assuming that just because you have a US education that it is better than that of any other country.



A little harsh! ;)

I think I'd be mightily peeved if I was qualified to an acceptable standard in the USA or UK and it wasn't good enough. Doesn't mean you think you're better qualified, just that it should be as good.

[batgirl1001]

Yes...QUT is my alma mater but no worries.:D Fight the good fight and good luck Brian!

[Castle]

I read somewhere about someone who was similarly rejected by a NZ professional society, so they went to the Australian society instead, got easily approved, and NZ had to accept the membership because of a reciprocity agreement. Maybe that avenue is worth looking into?

[silvo]

Crikey Brian !

your post seems to have gotten some people narky.

I sympathise with you and feel you have been dealt with in an unfair manner. The job is very specialised, the choice of qualifications are limited. The RDMS you have in the USA has to be the most widely held qualification with around 50,000 members. I have the BSE (British Society of Echocardiography) that is held by around 2,500 sonographers in the UK. The BSE exam now has parity with the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE). All of these qualifications should be recognised internationally. New Zealand does not have a cardiac ultrasound qualification for sonographers to sit. It seems small minded to say that the only acceptable qualification to NZ is the DMU that is taken by Australian sonographers. Hence they effectively narrow down their recruitment to Australian sonographers (the DMU is only used for general sonographers in the UK). I can't imagine many Australian sonographers heading over here to be paid 30-40% less, not to mention no pension to boot!

The CPRB registration board need to get their act together as there is a longstanding, permanent shortage of cardiac sonographers; whereas there's certainly no shortage of cardiac patients! Good luck with your efforts - New Zealands loss I'm afraid. I'm sure you will be well able to market your talents elsewhere in the world without too much hassle!

Regards Neil