Do I need to have HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist to apply for the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence?
No. The IPEM MRSE certificate of competence is focused only on assessing whether an individual meets the knowledge and experience requirements of an MRSE. Professional registration is a separate issue. This approach is consistent with schemes administered by RPA2000 (Radiation Protection Advisor, Laser Protection Advisor, Radiation Waste Advisor, Medical Physics Expert). IPEM recommend that individuals who practice as MRSEs should adhere to professional requirements commensurate with the context in which they provide their MRSE advice.
Is the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence only for MR physicists?
No. There are no requirements for an individual to belong to any professional group.
Is the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence only for staff of a certain banding/grade?
No. While employers may choose to assign an MRSE role to staff of a particular band/grade, this is not a specific requirement for the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence.
Is the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence only for members of IPEM?
No. The IPEM MRSE certificate of competence is not limited to IPEM members.
Is there an equivalence route for those who have already been working as MRSEs?
No. This was considered by the working group designing the IPEM MRSE certificate of competency scheme, but a decision was made against having an equivalence route.
How much does it cost to apply?
The current cost to apply for the IPEM MRSE certificate of competence can be found on the IPEM MRSE Page. Please note, this does not include costs associated with sitting the ABMRS MRSE exam. Please refer to AMBRS for further details on costs associated with sitting the ABMRS MRSE exam.
Why was the ABMRS MRSE exam chosen to assess the knowledge component?
The ABMRS MRSE exam was judged to be an appropriate test of knowledge based on feedback from IPEM members who had either been involved in setting ABMRS MRSE exam questions or who had sat the exam under exam conditions. Additionally, the IPEM working party designing the scheme felt that the ABMRS exams were professionally well-organised, in particular with regards the design and setting of questions, standard setting and exam question security. Since most aspects of MR safety are the same globally, the IPEM working party considered that use of the ABMRS exam helped to facilitate international alignment. Finally, using the ABMRS exam was considered to be the most efficient way for IPEM to assess MRSE knowledge. All other options would have required significant additional and ongoing resource.
How will the ABMRS MRSE exam assess individuals against the MR safety framework in the UK?
ABMRS have agreed that all ABMRS exams held in the UK will be modified as required to be consistent with the UK framework for MR safety, i.e. recognising the MHRA guidelines for MRI safety as the primary reference for MR safety in the UK.
Where can I find further information about the ABMRS MRSE exam?
ABMRS have some FAQs of their own