Chapter 2: Professional Organizations

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to professional accreditation, certification, and societies within the field of radiologic technology.

Accreditation

A voluntary, peer review process used to assess high quality of operations and offerings and ensure compliance with established standards of performance.

Certification

A voluntary process dealing with the demonstration of minimum competencies in recognized professional skills and knowledge, generally demonstrated by a test.

Registry

A listing of certified individuals used as proof of achievement in a professional skill set.

Licensure

A state-level requirement to practice radiologic technology, which many states grant by honoring national certification from agencies like the ARRT.

JRCERT

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, established in $1969$, which accredits programs in radiography, radiation therapy technology, medical dosimetry, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Essentials and Guidelines

Also known as Standards, these are the minimum requirements for demonstrated compliance required for JRCERT accreditation.

JRCDMS

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, established in $1979$, which currently accredits approximately $200$ institutions.

JRCNMT

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology, established in $1970$, which accredits approximately $100$ nuclear medicine technology programs.

ARRT

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a certification agency founded in $1922$.

ARDMS

The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, founded in $1975$, providing certification in sonography disciplines.

NMTCB

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, a certification agency founded in $1977$.

Professional Societies

Organizations that represent the general welfare of members through duties such as education (publications/symposia), scholarships, research, and governmental affairs.

ASRT

American Society of Radiologic Technologists; it is the organization to contact for a current listing of state licensing requirements.

Radiography (R)

One of the certification categories offered for medical imaging professionals.

Radiation Therapy Technology (T)

A specialized area of radiologic technology that uses radiation for therapeutic purposes, accredited by JRCERT.

RSNA

Radiological Society of North America; a professional society categorized under radiologist and physicist organizations.

ACR

American College of Radiology; a professional society for radiologists and physicists.

AMA

American Medical Association; a major organization involved in the relationship with radiologic technology professionals.