Fellowship FAQs

Associate Fellowship (AFASA)

These questions and answers about the ASA’s Fellowship Program are provided to give ASA members more information about applying to become an Associate Fellow or Fellow of the ASA.

For more information email memberservices@sonographers.org or, visit the ASA website: www.sonographers.org

Q. Can I apply for Associate Fellowship and Fellowship at the same time?

No. To be conferred as an Associate Fellow of the ASA, an ASA Financial member must have a minimum of 40 Fellowship points, with points achieved from at least one activity within the category ‘ASA Service’ and with one activity in two of the following categories ‘Education, Publications, Presentations, Awards, Leadership– Other’.

All points must have been accrued within 3 years of applying for AFASA (i.e. within 3 years of application date). Applications can be submitted at any time once the 40 points have been accumulated.

Q. Do I need to maintain my ASA membership to remain an Associate Fellow or Fellow?

Yes. You will need to maintain your ASA membership as either Accredited Medical Sonographer, Leave of Absence or Retired.

If your membership expires you will no longer meet the criteria for either Associate Fellow or Fellow.

Q. Are there any ongoing fees associated with the Associate Fellowship or Fellowship?

No. The fee of $250 including gst. (for each application) is a one-off charge.

Q. If I apply for and achieve associate status, is it forever or do I need to keep some higher level of CPD to maintain it?

There is no requirement to keep a higher level of CPD to maintain AFASA.

Q. If I apply to become an Associate Fellow, do I need to continue on to become a full Fellow?

No. You can remain an Associate Fellow indefinitely while you are a financial member of the ASA.

Q. How do I provide nominations? What is the process for this part of the application?

Please include and upload your two nominator’s documents, during your online application.

Nomination form to include:

• Who are you nominating?
• Why are you nominating this person for an Associate Fellowship of the ASA?
• Nominating member details to include – Full Name, Postal Address, ASA member number, Mobile, Email – Declaration (I give my assurance that, to the best of my knowledge, the information supplied for this nomination is true and correct at this date – signature and dated).

Q. How do I provide non-ASA evidence on application activities?

Evidence of Non-ASA activities are to be included and uploaded in your online application for example: CPD certificate, letter of acknowledgment and thanks, copy of published article or poster, conference program etc.

Q. I volunteered for the ASA more than 5 years ago. Can I use these points with my application?

No. All points must have been accrued within 3 years of applying for AFASA (i.e., within 3 years of application date). Applications can be submitted at any time once the 40 points have been accumulated.

Q. Is the minimum number of ASA-specific points required for AFASA?

No. At this stage, there is no minimum number of ASA-specific points required to attain an AFASA. However, points must be achieved from at least one activity within the category ‘ASA Service’.

Q. Can I claim points for examining and/or marking under the “Leadership - Other” category?

No, points cannot be claimed for course examining and marking. These activities are not considered as "outstanding contributions to the sonography profession and/or wider community".

Q. When can I claim points for Masters or PhD?

Points can be claimed after applicant has completed one full year of the program.

Q. What does an ASA Associate Fellow receive?

• An Associate Fellowship certificate confirming their professional status
• Added to the Honour Roll on the ASA website
• Entitlement to use the post-nominal lettering ‘AFASA’
• FASA application eligibility.

Fellowship (FASA)

Q. Can I apply retrospectively? (Can I use points earned in the last 3 years?)

The 120 points are to be accrued over a 3-year period prior to the date of the application AND after having been awarded an Associate Fellowship of the ASA (AFASA). All achievements must be dated after you have been awarded an Associate Fellowship of the ASA.

Q. I recently presented at an ASA travelling workshop. I did three presentations in 1 day. Do I get 20 points per presentation or per day?

Applicants can only claim 20 points per workshop despite the number of presentations delivered or the number of hours involved in this workshop. You cannot claim the same presentation twice in your application.

Q. What kind of non-ASA activities can be counted?

• Presentations at non-ASA conferences Presentations within your workplace and/or local area
• Article published in other international peer- review journal or book chapter
• Article published in web-based publications Serving on a board, council and/or other committee for sonography-related entities other than the ASA (e.g., ASAR)
• Serving on an editorial board for an ultrasound journal other than ASA publications
• Outstanding contributions to the sonography profession and/or wider community
• Abstract reviewer for conference presentations and/or professional journals

Q. Can I claim points for examining and/or marking under the “Leadership - Other” category?

No, points cannot be claimed for course examining and marking. These activities are not considered as "outstanding contributions to the sonography profession and/or wider community".

Q. When can I claim points for Masters or PhD?

Points can be claimed after applicant has completed one full year of the program.

Q. Does being a Fellow affect my ASA membership fee?

No. Your membership fee will not be affected.

Q. Is there a requirement for ongoing extra CPD points after I become a Fellow?

No. Extra CPD points are not required, just the minimum requirements set by ASAR/NZMRTB accreditation.

Q. What are the benefits of becoming an ASA Fellow?

• A Fellowship certificate confirming their professional status
• Entitlement to use the post-nominal lettering 'FASA'
• An ASA Fellow lapel pin
• New Fellows are recognised in a presentation ceremony at the annual conference
• Added to the Honour Roll on the ASA website
• Invitation to the annual Fellowship Luncheon at ASA Annual Conference
• Complimentary (1) one-year free membership (no insurance) after being awarded
• Opportunity to serve on the Fellowship Panel.

Q. Is the minimum number of ASA-specific points required for FASA?

To attain FASA a minimum of 80 points (out of the required 120 points) must be directly related to ASA-specific activities.

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