ARRT Standards and Rules of Ethics

The Rules of Ethics

• form the 2nd part of the Standards of Ethics

• mandatory standards of minimally acceptable professional conduct

• for all certificate holders and candidates

• certification & registration are methods of assuring the medical community & public that an individual is qualified to practice within that profession

• promote the protection, safety & comfort of patients

• RTs required to notify ARRT of an ethics violation within 30 days

Fraud or Deceptive Practices

1. Involving Certification & Registration

2. Communication Regarding Credentials

3. Billing Practices

Fraud Involving Certification and Registration

any deceit in attaining, maintaining, or renewing certification as issued by ARRT

Fraudulent Communication Regarding Credentials

misleading communication regarding education, training or credentials

Fraudulent Billing Practices

knowingly engaging or assisting in unethical billing

Subversion + Tiers

1. Examination/Continuing Qualification Requirements (CQR) Subversion

   1. Undermining ARRT exam process

   2. Disclosing exam info or CQR (CEU) info

2. Continuing Education (CE) Subversion

   1. Undermining ARRT education requirements

      1. Includes falsifying info regarding

         1. CE

         2. Clinical experience

         3. Competency requirements

Failure to Cooperate with ARRT Investigation

1. Subverting or attempting to subvert ARRT’s certification and registration processes by…

   1. Making a false statement or knowingly providing false information to ARRT

   2. Failing to cooperate with any investigation by ARRT

Unprofessional Conduct + Tiers

1. Failure to Conform to Minimal Acceptable Standards

   1. Engaging in unprofessional conduct (federal, state, local rules)

2. Sexual Misconduct

   1. Any encounter with a patient that is sexual or may be interpreted as sexual-verbal or non-verbal

3. Unethical Conduct

   1. Any action to deceive, defraud or harm the public

      1. a disregard for health, welfare or safety of the patient

Scope of Practice + Tiers

1. Technical Incompetence

   1. Performing procedures you are not competent to perform

2. Improper Supervision in Practice

   1. Knowingly assisting, advising, or allowing an uncertified person to perform exams

3. Improper Delegation or Acceptance of a Function

   1. Do not give tasks or accept a task that could endanger the patient’s health and safety

Fitness to Practice + Tiers

1. Actual or Potential Inability to Practice

   1. Unable to perform tech duties due to illness, use of drugs/alcohol or any mental/physical conditions

2. Inability to Practice by Judicial Determination

   1. Judged dangerous to the public by way of mental illness or chemical dependency

Improper Management of Patient Records + Tiers

1. False or Deceptive Entries

   1. Failure to maintain adequate records or falsifying a patient record

2. Failure to Protect Confidential Patient Information

   1. Revealing privileged information relating to a current or former patient

3. Knowingly Providing False Information

   1. Giving misleading info that is directly related to the care of a former or current patient

Violation of State, Federal Law, or Regulatory Rule + Tiers

1. Narcotics or Controlled Substances Law

   1. Violating any state or federal controlled substance law

      1. Even if not charged or convicted

2. Regulatory Authority or Certification Board Rule

   1. Violation of state or federal regulatory authority or certification board resulting in revoked or suspended license/certification

3. Criminal Proceedings

   1. Any convictions, criminal proceedings or military court martials

Duty to Report + Tiers

1. Failure to report violation

   1. Knowing of a violation/probable violation and not reporting it to ARRT

2. Failure to Report Error

   1. Any error made in connection with imaging, treating, or caring for a patient

      1. Even if the error did not cause an injury to the patient