The medical physicist's areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

1. ensuring that the quality assurance (MQA) programme is of the required standard and is operating effectively¹
2. ensuring that all imaging and ancillary equipment is covered by the QA programme, for example, X-ray equipment, film processors, film illuminators, localisation devices, ultrasound imagers and hard copy devices¹
3. being a member of the breast screening site MQA committee which will meet quarterly to review results and annually to review the QA programme
   (Refer: NPQS Appendix K: Mammographic Quality Assurance (MQA) Programme)
4. performing the physics quality control (QC) tests¹
5. ensuring the performance and calibration of QC test equipment
   (Refer: NPQS Appendix P: Test Equipment)
6. performing acceptance testing on new imaging and associated equipment prior to its use on women¹
7. assisting the QC MRT in the review of MRT QC test data¹
8. advising the QC MRT on all matters concerning image quality and the MQA programme
   (Refer: NPQS Appendix K: Mammographic Quality Assurance (MQA) Programme)
9. advising the Designated MQA radiologist, specifically in the areas of image quality, all aspects of the MQA programme, safety and equipment purchase¹
10. advising the Lead Provider Manager and/or Clinical Director specifically in the areas of safety, QC analysis and equipment purchase, including the preparation of equipment specifications¹
11. co-operating with all others involved in the Programme¹
12. co-operating with and supporting other Medical Physicists working in BreastScreen Aotearoa²
13. providing radiation protection advice to the screening unit, particularly the licensee, ensuring the radiation safety of the women, staff and members of the public³
14. ensuring regulatory compliance⁴.
    

All Medical Physicists working in the Programme are members of the Medical Physicists Unidisciplinary Group (UDG) and are required to take part in these meetings and other activities.

Acceptance testing is required by New Zealand regulations (NRL 1994) and the RANZCR (1994) but not described by them. A list of necessary tests is provided in Appendix K: Mammographic Quality Assurance (MQA) Programme. Additional tests are included within the NHSBSP Standard (IPSM 1994) and in ASNZS (4184.3.2: 1998).

QC tests are required for ultrasound scanners used in assessment.
Refer: NPQS Appendix M: Ultrasound System Performance and Quality Control.

Testing is also required for stereotactic localisation devices and specimen X-ray cabinets.
Refer: NPQS Appendix L: Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Quality Assurance (QA) Programme.

NOTE: The documents quoted above will be superseded by subsequent versions as advised by the Medical Physicists, Radiologists and MRT Unidisciplinary Groups and agreed by the National Screening Unit.

Professional Standards

Qualifications

Medical physicists providing services to BreastScreen Aotearoa must:

1. be explicitly trained in the physics of mammography and in the philosophy of breast screening. Approved courses agreed by the RANZCR and ACPSEM and practices are provided by the ACPSEM. Other internationally recognised courses (for example those provided in the USA by the AAPM/ACRT and in the UK by the IPEM) are acceptable.
   To be acceptable, a course must contain a minimum of 20 contact hours of documented, specialised training in conducting surveys of mammography facilities. Time must also be spent visiting established screening units in order to gain practical experience working with physicists in the field.⁵
2. be an appropriately licensed Medical Physicist (LMP) under the Radiation Protection Act (1965) 
3. hold a Masters Degree or a higher qualification in a physical science
4. have recognised, documented, specialised training in conducting surveys of mammography facilities as per ACR or RANZCR Standards
5. have experience of conducting surveys of at least six machines, over a 12-month period, ie, six machines two tests per machine, each six months apart within BSA. Experience conducting surveys must be acquired under the direct supervision of a Medical Physicist who meets all the requirements of the NP&QS
6. where experience has been gained overseas, two supervised surveys are required as part of the orientation to BSA protocols and standards.

Accreditation process

NPQS Appendix V: Accreditation Protocols

 

Medical Physicist Accreditation Template

Continuing professional development

Medical Physicists providing such services will participate in continuing professional development (CPD) in the area of mammography physics.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) includes:

1. attendance at, at least one scientific meeting or refresher course, with content specific to mammography physics, every two years. Only time spent on 'Mammography Physics' may count towards the 15 hours CPD
2. attendance at relevant multidisciplinary or peer review and audit meetings
3. review of current journals and authoritative material relevant to mammography physics.
   

The medical physicist must meet the RANZCR/ACR Standard of 15 hours CPD in mammography physics during the 36 months immediately proceeding any facility survey. A record of medical physicists practising in New Zealand who meet this Standard will be kept by the National Physics Co-ordinator. The National Physics Co-ordinator, in conjunction with the Medical Physicists Unidisciplinary Group, will give advice on the attainment of CPD requirements.

¹ RANZCR 2002 or subsequent versions; NHSBSP 1995 a; ACR 1999; IPSM 1994.
² NHSBSP 1995 a, adapted.
³ RANZCR 2002 or subsequent versions; NHSBSP 1995 a; ACR 1999: IPSM 1994; NRL 1994.
⁴ NHSBSP 1995 a; IPSM 1994; NRL 1994.
⁵ RANZCR 2002 or subsequent versions; NHSBSP 1995 a; ACR 1999; IPSM 1994.