The Range of Examinations and Roles Performed by Sonographers in Australia and New Zealand: What Does It Mean for a Profession‐Based Career Framework?

Introduction Many sonographers in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) do not work within an institutional career framework, have no or limited progression opportunities, or are unsure how to progress their careers. This may limit professional growth and advancement. A profession‐wide career framework (PWCF) might assist in supporting career development and professional recognition. Development of a PWCF requires an understanding of the roles that sonographers perform and how advanced practice is recognised. This research aimed to (1) determine how frequently sonographers perform clinical and non‐clinical roles, (2) evaluate whether the distribution of these roles differed according to employer category or career level, and (3) describe how advanced roles are recognised. Methods Qualified sonographers working in ANZ ( n = 561) participated in an online survey to provide insights into role diversity including role frequency, variation by employer and career level, and recognition of advanced roles. Results There were significant variations ( p < 0.001–0.044) in how often sonographers performed various examinations across different employer groups and career levels, in how sonographers communicated their results ( p < 0.001) across employer groups and how often they performed non‐clinical roles across employer groups and career levels ( p < 0.001–0.036). Recognition of advanced roles was limited, with most respondents reporting no formal recognition. Conclusion The variations of examinations and roles performed by sonographers, especially across different employer groups, present challenges for the development of a PWCF. Further work including consultation with sonographers and other stakeholders to ensure a PWCF accommodates diverse practice contexts and practical and equitable career pathways.