Cardiac Sonographers

The salary, leave and benefits of Cardiac Sonographers practising in New Zealand are covered by either the APEX or PSA collective agreement.

APEX Sonographers Collective Agreement

Salary

• 11-step progression scale; Steps 1–5 increase automatically each year.
  • Salary range: NZD $121,000 – $162,000.
• Reporting Sonographers have a 10-step scale: 
  • Salary range: NZD $131,000 – $173,000.
• Overtime and penal rates apply.

Allowances

• Higher duties and night shift allowances.

Leave

• Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on a shift roster.
• Sick leave: Minimum 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days.
• Parental leave: 6–12 months depending on length of service; up to 14 weeks paid.
• Public holidays: 12 paid days plus time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on.

Additional benefits

• Reimbursement of professional registration costs.
• Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
• Minimum of 5 days CPD leave per year; up to $3,000 per year towards CPD.
• If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.

PSA Allied Health Health, Scientific and Technical Collective Agreement

Salary

• 11-step progression scale; Steps 1–5 increase automatically each year.
  • Salary range: NZD $102,298 – $137,710.
• Trainee Sonographers: 2-step scale
  • Salary range: NZD $75,144 – $79,330.
• Steps 6+ are merit-based; Designated positions start at step 6.
• Charge Sonographers start at step 9; progress to step 10 via merit or after 2 years of satisfactory performance.
• Overtime and penal rates apply.

Allowances

• Higher duties and night shift allowances.

Leave

• Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on qualifying shifts.
• On-call leave: Up to 3 additional days per year for required on-call duties.
• Sick & domestic leave: 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days; can accumulate up to 260 days.
• Parental leave: 6–12 months depending on length of service; applies to birth, adoption, and Whāngai arrangements.
• Public holidays: Paid leave or alternative holiday if rostered to work.
• Bereavement/Tangihanga leave: Paid leave for family bereavement or cultural obligations.
• Family violence leave: Support and leave are available in line with legislation.

Additional benefits

• Reimbursement of professional registration costs.
• Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
• Minimum of 5 days CPD leave per year; up to $3,000 per year towards CPD.
• If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.

Employment agreements — Health New Zealandexternal link

Governance and professional standards

• Work within the scope of practice defined by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB).
• Maintain competence in line with the MRTB’s standards for Sonographers.
• Comply with any supervision requirements —particularly for new registrants or overseas-qualified staff.
• Hold an approved qualification and a current Annual Practising Certificate.

Cultural competency and community engagement

• Understand and apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Engage respectfully with Māori and other communities to support equitable cardiac care.

Patient interaction and clinical preparation

• Prepare patients for echocardiographic procedures, ensuring informed consent.
• Explain procedures clearly and provide reassurance to patients and whānau.
• Review clinical notes and previous imaging to inform your assessment.

Diagnostic imaging and data acquisition

• Perform transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) to assess cardiac anatomy and function.
• Assist with transoesophageal echocardiograms (TOE) and stress echocardiography.
• Capture, analyse and optimise 2D, 3D, Doppler and M-mode ultrasound images.
• Identify abnormal findings and communicate significant results promptly.

Reporting and clinical documentation

• Generate preliminary findings and provide accurate sonographic measurements.
• Maintain clear, timely and secure documentation in patient records and imaging systems.

Equipment operation and quality assurance

• Operate and troubleshoot advanced cardiac ultrasound equipment.
• Follow infection prevention, cleaning and maintenance protocols.
• Contribute to quality assurance processes, including image audits and calibration.

Collaboration and interprofessional practice

• Work closely with cardiologists, nurses, cardiac physiologists and technicians.
• Support inpatient, outpatient, theatre and emergency workflows.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions and care planning.

Emergency response and clinical support

• Assist with urgent imaging in acute and emergency settings.
• Support intraoperative or critical care imaging when required.

Teaching, leadership and professional development

• Support training and supervision of junior sonographers or students.
• Participate in ongoing education, CPD and peer review.
• Engage in quality improvement, service development and audit activities.

Expanded scope and advanced practice

• Pursue additional skills such as paediatric echocardiography or advanced imaging techniques.
• Undertake approved postgraduate training to extend clinical scope.

Cardiac Sonographer qualification

You must hold an approved qualification in cardiac sonography or diagnostic medical ultrasound. Common pathways include:

• a Diploma, Bachelor or Postgraduate qualification in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound from a New Zealand institution
• an overseas qualification assessed as equivalent to New Zealand standards by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB).

Registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB)

All Sonographers must be registered with the MRTB to practise legally in New Zealand.

Applicants need to submit proof of their qualifications, identification, and evidence of fitness to practise.

Annual practising certificate (APC)

To work as a Cardiac Sonographer, you must hold a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC), renewed each year.

To maintain your APC, you must:

• provide evidence of ongoing competence
• participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.

Information for international candidates

Internationally qualified candidates include practitioners who hold a recognised cardiac sonography or diagnostic medical ultrasound qualification from overseas and:

• have at least 2 years (approximately 3,680 hours) of relevant post-qualification specialised cardiac sonography experience
• are registered and in good standing with a recognised overseas regulatory authority, for example, the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Applicants with less than 2 years’ experience can still apply. Their application will be assessed by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB), which may include a work-based assessment in practice.

All other overseas qualifications are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the applicant meets MRTB registration requirements. Qualifications are assessed against a standard set of criteria approved by the MRTB. Learn more about how to register on the MRTB website.

Sonographers trained in related fields may apply for registration and practice within the scope of cardiac sonography if approved by the MRTB.

Medical Radiation Technologists Boardexternal link

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Information for international candidates