Unit1

Unit 1 - Fundamentals of Radiologic Science and Health Care

Key Terms

Health Professions

The Healthcare Team

Hospital Organization

Radiology Organization

Accreditation

Regulatory Agencies

 Professional Credentialing and Certification

Professional Organizations and Societies

Professional Development and Continuing Education

Being a Professional

The Entry Level Radiographer

The Experienced Radiographer

Reading Assignment

Introduction to Radiologic Sciences and Patient Care 5th Edition ( Adler and Carlton)
Chapter 2 - Pages 15-22

Chapter 6 - Pages 51-64

Health Professions

Healthcare is the field concerned with the maintenance or restoration of the health of the body or mind.

 

There are many careers available within the health professions setting. Some, but not all, of the careers available include:

 

Allied health – anesthesiologist assistant, cardiovascular technologist, medical assistant, respiratory therapist, surgical assistant, surgical technologist, athletic trainer, emergency medical technician, paramedic and exercise science.

Medical imaging – radiographer, diagnostic medical sonographer, MRI technologist, medical dosimetrist, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, registered radiologist assistant, interventional technologist and computed tomography technologist.

Laboratory science – medical technologist, medical laboratory technician, blood bank technology specialist, cytotechnologist, histotechnician, histotechnologist, phlebotomists, and pathologist's assistant.

Nursing – registered nurse

Pharmacy – pharmacist and pharmacy technician.

Physician – Dr. of medicine and Dr. of osteopathic medicine.

Physician assistant – physician assistant

Some of the other careers available include psychology, podiatry, therapy and rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, vision-related professions, health information and communication, expressive and creative arts therapies, communication sciences, counseling, dietetics and complementary and alternative medicine therapies.

 

The Healthcare Team

All of the professions mentioned above are part of the healthcare team. As a radiologic technologist, you will be working closely with physicians and radiologists, nurses, other diagnostic services such as laboratory science, therapeutic services such as occupational therapy and physical therapy and health information services. The primary goal of the healthcare team is to meet the needs of our patients. It can take the entire healthcare team to accomplish this goal.

Hospital Organization

When looking at the organization of a hospital, the structure may be vertical or horizontal. The vertical structure shows a top-heavy organization that has additional layers of senior administration. This structure often includes the Board of Directors, CEO, chief operating officer and many vice presidents before getting to the individual departments in the hospital. The horizontal structure often eliminates the chief operating officer and vice president of administration to create a flatter structure.

 

•Hospitals are like "communities within communities."

•Hospitals serve a community need.

•Hospitals are staffed by various types of workers.

 

Radiology Organization

The imaging department, like the hospital, has its own structure. In most imaging departments, there is a director, a manager, coordinators or lead technologists of each modality and then the technologists in each modality.

The Profession of Radiology

Now that we have looked at the health professions and the healthcare environment, we will take a closer look at the profession of Radiology.

 

Accreditation

Accreditation is a voluntary peer review process through which an agency grants recognition to an institution for a program of study that meets specific criteria. Hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) who indicates that the institution meets criteria for equipment, staff, safety, lending, management and patient care. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology is an independent agency that awards accreditation to programs in radiologic technology and radiation therapy.

Regulatory Agencies

Because Radiologic Technologists work with ionizing radiation, there are rules and regulations that must be followed. There are regulatory agencies that are responsible for regulating the safety of radiation workers. The regulatory agency for those who are using medical diagnostic x-ray equipment is most often the state where the work is being done. For example, the regulatory agency for those working in Colorado is the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This agency provides the rules and regulations for workers and facilities in Colorado.

Professional Credentialing and Certification

Certification is the process through which an agency grants recognition to an individual on demonstration, usually by examination, of specialized professional skills.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) evaluates the standards of radiologic technology and conducts the examination and certification of eligible candidates.   The ARRT also publishes a listing of all registrants.   The designation for a registered technologist is RT with the specialty designation for radiographer (R).   Example:   John Smith RT(R). In addition, most but not all, states and territories require an additional state license.

 

Certifications are offered in a variety of medical imaging professions:

–Radiography (R)

–Nuclear medicine technology (N)

–Radiation therapy technology (T)

–General sonography (S), vascular sonography (VS), breast sonography (BS)

–CT scanning (CT)

–MRI scanning (MR)

–Cardiac interventional technology (CI)

–Vascular interventional technology (VI)

–Quality management (QM)

–Bone densitometry (BD)

–Radiologist assistant (RA)

•Certified professionals are listed in a national registry as proof of achievement.

•Certification provides the privilege of displaying professional credentials as earned.

 

Professional Organizations and Societies

There are many professional societies within medical imaging. These societies usually publish professional journals, conduct educational meetings and represent their members to governmental bodies. Some of these societies provide continuing education, scholarships, information networking, malpractice insurance and recruitment and promotional materials.

Some of the professional organizations include: The American Society of Radiologic Technologists, American Healthcare Radiology Administrators, Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences, Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers, American Society of Echocardiography, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologists, International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's, Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, Society for Vascular Ultrasound and state and local radiologic technology societies.

 

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) - Oldest and largest national professional association of imaging sciences

International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) - ISRRT is one of more than 70 national organizations of technologists around the world.

Professional Development and Continuing Education

In order to maintain active status with the ARRT, all registered individuals must pay an annual fee, adhere to ARRT code of ethics and certify and provide documentation that they have attended 24 hours of continuing education in the previous two years.     The ARRT made continuing education credits mandatory in 1995. There are many avenues for registered individuals to obtain continuing education credits. Many of the professional organizations, hospitals and colleges provide opportunities. Credits can be obtained by attending seminars, workshops, courses, classes and completing self-study materials. The ARRT has also introduced the new Continuing Qualification Requirements for technologists starting January 1, 2011.

Continuing Qualification Requirements (CQR)

For all R.T.s, primary and post-primary certifications earned on or after January 1, 2011, are time-limited to 10 years. Recertification requires completion of the CQR process, and the very first CQR deadline is not until 2021. Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A.s) are unique in that R.R.A. certification has always been time-limited and the CQR process begins in 2013.

With that to ease your mind, here's an update for you.

CQR has three related components. First, R.T.s will assemble a professional profile that highlights achievements related to education, work, special skills and professional development. This important first step gives a big-picture look at how an R.T. has maintained qualifications since first becoming certified. Second, ARRT is developing a unique structured self-assessment process. It's not a test – it's different – particularly because it can't be passed or failed. It's a learning tool designed to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in knowledge and skills based on the qualifications expected of those becoming certified in the current year. Assessments will use the current content specifications based upon the most recent practice analysis.

Through the self-assessment findings, participants may receive a customized list of "targeted" learning opportunities. These are learning-specific topics targeted to the identified knowledge areas. Completing continuing education activities in these identified areas is the third component of the CQR process.

The CQR process is complementary to existing components of certification and registration requirements. CQR provides the opportunity to demonstrate that your knowledge and skills are up-to-date, helping you re-energize your passion and enjoyment of work and your connection to patients and healthcare.

Because of accelerating advancements in technology and growing capabilities in the healthcare field, the idea of "Once certified, forever qualified" no longer meets the expectations of patients or the profession. Today, this is more accurately described as "Once certified, forever learning, evolving and developing as a qualified professional." Continuous quality improvement is an expectation across all healthcare facilities, systems and professions.

An R.T.'s compliance phase with CQR will begin seven years into the initial 10-year certification period. For example, for R.T.s earning certification in 2011, the compliance phase can begin in 2018, allowing three years to complete the professional profile, self-assessment and targeted continuing education by 2021. And remember, CQR applies to R.T.s with primary or post-primary certifications earned since January 1, 2011.

ARRT is working with a number of committees made up of volunteers from across the profession to develop a meaningful CQR process – and is committed to helping you stay up-to-date and preparing you to take full advantage of the opportunity when CQR phases begin for the very first R.T.s in 2018.

For me information and to watch a video on CQR, visit https://www.arrt.org/Registration/CQR.

Professionalism in Radiography

It is important for you to understand what being a professional means. You also should have an understanding of what is expected of you as an entry-level Radiographer and an experienced Radiographer.

 

Being a Professional

Being a professional means meeting certain criteria:

1.   A vital human services provided

2.   A special body of knowledge is possessed

3.   You're accountable and responsible

4.   Education takes place in higher education institutions

5.   You have independent function and control of your practice

6.   You're committed to your work and motivated by doing good

7.   A code of ethics guides decisions and conduct

8.   A professional organization oversees standards of practice

 

The Entry-Level Radiographer

As an entry-level radiographer, you should be doing certain things. You will need the skill and ability to perform the following functions:

1.   Apply modern principles of radiation exposure, radiation physics, radiation protection and radiobiology

2.   Use knowledge of medical terminology, pathology, cross-sectional anatomy, anatomy and physiology and positioning procedures to produce diagnostic images

3.   Provide direct patient care such as EKG, contrast media and other drug administration

4. Evaluate recognized equipment malfunctions

5.   Evaluate radiographic images

6.   Be computer literate and communicate with members of the healthcare team

7.   Provide patient and family education

8.   Participate in community affairs

 

The Experienced Radiographer

As an experienced radiographer, there are some additional skills and abilities you must acquire. You must be able to do the following:

1.   Supervise, evaluate and counsel staff

2.   Plan, organize and administer professional development

3.   Exhibit superior decision making and problem solving skills

4.   Promote a positive, collaborative atmosphere

5.   Be a mentor and have knowledge of supervision, continued education and regulatory compliance

 

Desirable Employee Characteristics

•Strong technical skills

•Excellent teamwork skills

•Customer-service oriented

•Good communication skills with patients, colleagues and physicians

•Professional attitude

•Good work ethic