Chapter 2: Comprehensive Notes on Professional Organizations in Radiologic Technology

General Classifications of Professional Quality and Quality Assurance

• The pursuit of high-quality operations and professional integrity within the medical imaging and radiologic sciences is categorized into four primary classifications:
  • Accreditation.
  • Certification.
  • Licensure.
  • Professional organizations.

Detailed Overview of Accreditation

• Accreditation is defined as a formal process used to assess the high quality of operations and educational offerings provided by an institution or program.
• Its primary function is to ensure compliance with established standards of performance within a given field.
• Key characteristics of the accreditation process include:
  • It is a voluntary process.
  • It utilizes a peer review mechanism.
  • It involves various distinct areas within the healthcare delivery system.
  • The specific standards for accreditation are determined and set by the organization that sponsors the accrediting agency.
  • Accreditation is considered very highly valued by members of the medical and radiologic professions.

Accreditation of Educational Programs and Schools

• Accreditation for educational institutions may be classified as either programmatic or regional and institutional.
• Programmatic Accreditors are specialized bodies that evaluate specific instructional programs. Key agencies include:
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

• The JRCERT is specifically concerned with ensuring compliance with education standards that were developed by and for the profession of radiologic technology.
• Governance:
  • It is governed by a Board of Directors known as the Joint Review Committee.
  • Board members are nominated by four distinct professional organizations that have a concern for radiology education.
• Educational Compliance:
  • JRCERT accreditation requires that a program demonstrates compliance with minimum requirements.
  • These requirements are formally known as "Essentials and Guidelines" or "Standards."
• Establishment and Scope:
  • The JRCERT was established in the year $1969$.
  • The agency currently provides accreditation for programs in the following disciplines:
    • Radiography.
    • Radiation therapy technology.
    • Medical dosimetry.
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Official website: www.jrcert.org or http://wwwjrcert.org.

Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS)

• The JRCDMS focuses on compliance with education standards developed by and for the profession of medical sonography.
• Establishment and Sponsorship:
  • Established in the year $1979$.
  • It is currently sponsored by $9$ different organizations.
• Current reach:
  • The JRCDMS accredits approximately $200$ institutions that deal with medical sonography.
  • Accreditation through this body can encompass up to $3$ distinct program types.
  • Official website: www.jrcdms.org.

Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)

• The JRCNMT manages compliance with education standards developed by and for the profession of nuclear medicine technology.
• Establishment and Sponsorship:
  • Established in the year $1970$.
  • It is sponsored by $4$ professional organizations.
• Current reach:
  • The JRCNMT currently accredits approximately $100$ nuclear medicine technology programs.
  • Official website: www.jrcnmt.org.

Professional Certification and Registries

• Certification is the process of demonstrating minimum competencies in recognized professional skills and knowledge.
• Demonstration of Competency:
  • In most cases, competency is demonstrated through the successful completion of a standardized test.
• Nature of Certification:
  • It is a voluntary process but highly sought after by healthcare professionals.
  • It is the personal responsibility of the individual to achieve and maintain their professional certification.
  • In many instances, professional certification is an absolute requirement for employment in hospitals.
• Registry Maintenance:
  • A listing of individuals who have achieved certification is known as a Registry.
  • Certified professionals are listed in a national registry as a public proof of their achievement.
  • The maintenance of certification often requires ongoing participation in continuing education.
  • Earning certification grants the privilege of displaying professional credentials alongside one's name.

Certification Categories and Identifying Credentials

• Certifications are offered across a wide spectrum of medical imaging specializations. Each is represented by specific credentials:
  • Radiography: Credentialed as (R), appearing as RT(R).
  • Nuclear medicine technology: Credentialed as (N).
  • Radiation therapy technology: Credentialed as (T), appearing as RT(T).
  • General sonography: Credentialed as (S).
  • Vascular sonography: Credentialed as (VS).
  • Breast sonography: Credentialed as (BS).
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scanning: Credentialed as (CT), appearing as RT(CT).
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning: Credentialed as (MR), appearing as RT(MR).
  • Mammography: Represented as RT(M).
  • Cardiac interventional technology: Credentialed as (CI), appearing as RT(CI).
  • Vascular interventional technology: Credentialed as (VI).
  • Quality management: Credentialed as (QM), appearing as RT(QM).
  • Bone densitometry: Credentialed as (BD), appearing as RT(BD).
  • Radiologist assistant: Credentialed as (RA).

Major Certification Agencies in Medical Imaging

• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT):
  • Founded in the year $1922$.
  • Official website: www.arrt.org.
• American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS):
  • Founded in the year $1975$.
  • Official website: www.ardms.org.
• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB):
  • Founded in the year $1977$.
  • Official website: www.nmtcb.org.

State Licensing Agencies and Requirements

• In addition to national certification, some states require a state license to practice radiologic technology.
• State variations:
  • Licensing laws and requirements can vary greatly from one state to another.
  • It is the individual's responsibility to identify which states require licensing.
  • The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) maintains a current listing of these requirements.
• Licensure process:
  • Many states will honor national certification (such as from the ARRT) as the basis for granting a state license. This practice is known as licensure.

The Role and Functions of Professional Societies

• Professional societies serve to represent the general welfare of their constituent members.
• The duties and activities of these societies include:
  • Education: Hosting symposia and providing professional publications.
  • Financial Support: Offering scholarships for students and professionals.
  • Advancement: Conducting research and publishing special reports.
  • Advocacy: Engaging in governmental affairs and securing professional appointments.
  • Risk Management: Providing malpractice insurance plans.
  • Public Relations: Promoting public awareness and marketing for the profession.

List of Professional Societies for Technologists

• Technologist organizations include but are not limited to:
  • AHRA (Association for Medical Imaging Management)
  • ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists)
  • ASE (American Society of Echocardiography)
  • AEIRS (Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences)
  • AVIR (Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers)
  • ISRRT (International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists)
  • SDMS (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • ISMRM (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine)
  • SNM (Society of Nuclear Medicine)
  • Various state and local societies.

List of Professional Societies for Radiologists and Physicists

• The following organizations represent radiologists and physicists and maintain a relationship with radiologic technology:
  • AMA (American Medical Association)
  • AAPM (American Association of Physicists in Medicine)
  • ABR (American Board of Radiology)
  • ACR (American College of Radiology)
  • AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine)
  • ARRS (American Roentgen Ray Society)
  • RSNA (Radiological Society of North America)
  • ASTRO (American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)
  • ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry)
  • SCAR (Society for Computer Applications in Radiology)
  • SNM (Society of Nuclear Medicine)