American Society
Of Radiologic
Technologists
(Information taken from ASRT site)
New CE Changes
Category B Credit Phase Out January 2008
Category B credit will not be accepted for CE activities completed after Jan. 1, 2008. Category B credit, also known as non-evaluated credit, is awarded to CE activities that have not been approved by a mechanism recognized by the ARRT. In announcing the change, the ARRT explained that Category A credits are available widely enough to warrant the phasing out of Category B credits.
After Jan. 1, 2008 only Category A or A+ credits will be accepted by the ARRT for compliance with CE requirements.
Basic CPR Phased Out
Effective Jan. 1, 2007, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) will no longer accept basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for Category A credit. Basic CPR is generally considered a job responsibility and not a continuing education activity. The ARRT will continue to allow a maximum of six CE credits for official certification in advanced cardiac life support, instructor or instructor trainer courses if approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism or with a valid card from the Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Health and Safety Institute. Credits are awarded on the date of certification or recertification and are limited to six credits per biennium.
CE Requirements
All technologists registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists must complete 24 continuing education credits in a two-year period to maintain registration. A minimum of 12 credits must be from Category A activities. The other 12 credits may be from Category A or Category B activities. Note- ARRT will no longer allow Category B credits completed after January 1, 2008 to be used to meet CE requirements. States may accept the ARRT CE requirement and additional CE credits may be required to maintain state licensure. All radiologic technologists performing mammography in a MQSA-certified facility must complete a total of 15 mammography credits during a 36 month period as determined by the last date of inspection as well as any state mammography CE requirements.
Who Are Radiologic Technologists?
Radiologic technologists are the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. They may specialize in a specific imaging technique, such as bone densitometry , cardiovascular-interventional radiography , computed tomography , mammography , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear medicine , quality management , sonography or general radiography . The radiologic technologists who specialize in radiation therapy, which is the delivery of high doses of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases, are radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists.
Radiologic Technologists on the Medical Imaging Team
Radiologic technologists who perform imaging examinations are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury. For the images to be interpreted correctly by the radiologist, the imaging examination must be performed properly by a radiologic technologist.
Radiologic technologists often specialize in a particular diagnostic imaging area:
Bone Densitometry Technologists use a special type of x-ray equipment to measure bone mineral density at a specific anatomical site (usually the wrist, heel, spine or hip) or to calculate total body bone mineral content. Results can be used by physicians to estimate the amount of bone loss due to osteoporosis, to track the rate of bone loss over a specific period of time, and to estimate the risk of fracture.
Cardiovascular-Interventional Technologists use sophisticated imaging techniques such as biplane fluoroscopy to help guide catheters, vena cava filters, stents or other tools through the body. Using these techniques, disease can be treated without open surgery.
Computed Tomography Technologists use a rotating x-ray unit to obtain "slices" of anatomy at different levels within the body. A computer then stacks and assembles the individual slices, creating a diagnostic image. With CT technology, physicians can view the inside of organs - a feat not possible with general radiography.
Magnetic Resonance Technologists are specially trained to operate MR equipment. During an MRI scan, atoms in the patient's body are exposed to a strong magnetic field. The technologist applies a radiofrequency pulse to the field, which knocks the atoms out of alignment. When the technologist turns the pulse off, the atoms return to their original position. In the process, they give off signals that are measured by a computer and processed to create detailed images of the patient's anatomy.
Mammographers produce diagnostic images of breast tissue using special x-ray equipment. Under a federal law known as the Mammography Quality Standards Act, mammographers must meet stringent educational and experience criteria in order to perform mammographic procedures.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to a patient to obtain functional information about organs, tissues and bone. The technologist then uses a special camera to detect gamma rays emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and create an image of the body part under study. The information is recorded on a computer screen or on film.
Quality Management Technologists use standardized data collection methods, information analysis tools and data analysis methods to monitor the quality of processes and systems in the radiology department. They perform processor quality control tests, assess film density, monitor timer accuracy and reproducibility and identify and solve problems associated with the production of medical images.
Radiographers use radiation (x-rays) to produce black-and-white images of anatomy. The images are captured on film, computer or videotape. X-rays may be used to detect bone fractures, find foreign objects in the body, and demonstrate the relationship between bone and soft tissue. The most common type of x-ray exam is chest radiography.
Sonographers use sound waves to obtain images of organs and tissues in the body. During an ultrasound examination, the sonographer places a transducer in contact with the patient's body. It emits high-frequency sound waves that pass through the body, sending back "echoes" as they bounce off organs and tissues. Special computer equipment converts those echoes into visual data. Click here for a profile of a sonographer .
Radiologic Technologists on the Radiation Oncology Team
The medical team responsible for treating many types of cancers includes the patient's primary care physician, a physician specialist known as a radiation oncologist, a medical physicist, a radiation therapist and a medical dosimetrist. The radiation therapist and the medical dosimetrist are members of the radiologic technology profession.
Medical Dosimetrists determine how much radiation will be delivered to a tumor site. Under the supervision of a medical physicist, they calculate and generate radiation dose distributions in accordance with the treatment plan developed by the radiation oncologist. Medical dosimetrists use their knowledge of physics, anatomy and radiobiology to design optimal treatments that apply an effective dose to the targeted area while sparing normal tissue that surrounds it. Click here for a profile of a medical dosimetrist .
Radiation Therapists administer targeted doses of radiation to the patient's body to treat cancer or other diseases. As the radiation strikes human tissue, it produces highly energized ions that gradually shrink and destroy the nucleus of malignant tumor cells. Radiation therapists are highly skilled medical specialists educated in physics, radiation safety, patient anatomy and patient care. They typically see each of their patients three to five days a week throughout a four- to seven-week treatment plan. Click here for a profile of a radiation therapist .
Who Are Radiologists?
Radiologists are physicians who earn a four-year doctoral degree to become an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy). They then complete a four-year residency in diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology. More than 90 percent of radiologists go on to become certified by the American Board of Radiology, indicating that they have passed a standardized national examination in radiology.
Diagnostic radiologists specialize in the interpretation of medical images such as MR scans, CT scans, radiographs, nuclear medicine scans, mammograms and sonograms. They are specially trained to identify injury and disease in each of the body's systems, whether bone, tissue, organs or blood vessels. Radiologists may specialize in fields such as neuroradiology, angiography, cardiovascular-interventional radiology, pediatric radiology or nuclear medicine.
Radiation oncologists are radiologists who specialize in the treatment of cancer. They consult with each patient and the patient's primary care physician to determine the best course of therapy and plan a treatment schedule. Then, they work with a medical dosimetrist to calculate how much radiation will be delivered. The radiation therapist is the medical professional who carries out the treatment plan by delivering targeted radiation to the tumor site.
Interventional radiologists are radiologists who perform nonsurgical treatments for a number of medical conditions, most commonly vascular disease. Examples of these treatments include angioplasty, thrombolysis, atherectomy, embolization of bleeding vessels and occlusion of brain aneurysms. Interventional radiologists perform these procedures under the guidance of x-rays, magnetic resonance or other imaging methods.
NEWS
News Release
ASRT State Legislative Update for the Week of May 17, 2009
May 19, 2009
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists is firmly committed to keeping the radiologic technology community aware of developments within the profession. As part of this effort, ASRT is providing weekly state legislative updates with ASRT's position on each bill while legislative sessions are in progress.
The following list outlines state legislative issues that were announced this past week. The ASRT supports these initiatives:
Georgia:
- House bill 509 acknowledges the advanced practice of radiologist assistants.
- Bill Status: On May 11, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed House bill 509 into law.
- The bill recognizes the position of radiologist assistants as "an advanced level as determined by board rule." The bill states that the procedures include, but are not limited to "enteral and parenteral procedures when performed under the direction of the supervising radiologist and may include injecting diagnostic agents to sites other than intravenous, performing diagnostic aspirations and localizations, and assisting radiologists with other invasive procedures."
- ASRT Position: ASRT supported this bill.
News Release
Radiologic Technologists Descend on Capitol Hill
May 12, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE – The American Society of Radiologic Technologist's 2009 R.T. in D.C. grass-roots lobbying event took place April 19-21 with 125 radiologic technologists and radiation therapists visiting 300 congressional offices. Now in its 11th year, the event's goal is to show a united effort by the R.T.s visiting Capitol Hill and reinforce the importance of quality health care and patient safety.
ASRT President-elect Diane Mayo said, "R.T. in D.C. continues to successfully send a message to Congress that radiologic technologists and radiation therapists are serious about establishing quality standards for all medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures, not just the most complicated or most expensive. It is an annual reconfirmation of the commitment ASRT members make to provide their patients with safe, high-quality care."
This year's R.T. in D.C. participants brought with them the message that Congress needs to pass the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, or CARE bill. While the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act, passed by Congress in 2008, set facility accreditation standards for advanced diagnostic imaging, it only covers 30 percent of medical imaging procedures performed on Medicare patients. MIPPA covers CT, MR, nuclear medicine and PET procedures. The other 70 percent of procedures performed, made up of x-ray and ultrasound, still have no federal standards to ensure that patients receive safe, high-quality imaging examinations. Passage of the CARE bill will strengthen the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 and make sure that the personnel who perform our nation's diagnostic imaging examinations and who plan and deliver radiation therapy procedures are properly educated and certified.
This year, ASRT plans to reintroduce the CARE bill in Congress. The CARE bill is supported by the Alliance for Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, a coalition of 25 organizations supporting the need for federal educational and certification standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.
Cities Served:
ASRT page for ce of Radiologic Technologists, Bone Densitometry Technologists, Cardiovascular-Interventional Technologists, Computed Tomography Technologists, Magnetic Resonance Technologists, Mammographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Quality Management Technologists, Radiographers, Medical Dosimetrists, Radiation Therapists, Diagnostic radiologists, Radiation oncologists & interventional radiologists
ASRT page for ce of Radiologic Technologists, Bone Densitometry Technologists, Cardiovascular-Interventional Technologists, Computed Tomography Technologists, Magnetic Resonance Technologists, Mammographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Quality Management Technologists, Radiographers, Medical Dosimetrists, Radiation Therapists, Diagnostic radiologists, Radiation oncologists & interventional radiologists
