Develop a dynamic membership promoting and facilitating world-class radiologic patient care through enhanced market awareness and effective legislation

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PO Box 7863
Salem, OR  97303

Phone:
503-315-0930

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2004 Archive

2004 A Year in review

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Do you know who's taking your X-Rays?

ASRT 2004 House of Delegates Summary of Region 2 Chapter Delegate Reports

President's Message 2004

Announcement: Educational Offering Canceled for 2004

From the Editor:

The following is an update on the last years' accomplishments and activities of the OSRT. The society has discovered that many technologists in Oregon do not have a good understanding of what the OSRT does for our members and our profession.

FIGHTING FOR OUR PROFESSION

There are numerous state and federal legislative issues that arise over the course of the year that affect our profession. Licensing requirements, money management and oversight controls, federal health care bills…The OSRT employs a lobbyist and actively monitors the legislative issues that directly influence our livelihood as technologists. We routinely send representatives to meeting and hearings, write letters and call or email our local politicians in support or opposition of various issues. This year, as in years past, we have sent representatives to Washington D.C. to lobby for the CARE Bill. We are currently working hard to defeat a "superboard" /oversight bill that would place control of our profession in the hands of a state run oversight board that would also control body piercers and tattoo artists.

The OSRT also sends members, yearly, to the ASRT Annual Conference to represent our state and have a voice in national licensing issues and other matters of the ASRT. Many members of our society hold positions in the ASRT.

The society encourages anyone interested in learning more about legislative affairs and the process to contact us.

PROMOTING OUR PROFESSION

The OSRT received a grant from the ASRT in order to begin a public relations and name recognition campaign, along with a membership drive. The society used some of those funds to purchase a vendor's table at the 2004 Race For The Cure in Portland. We set up a display table providing information about our profession and our society, and we gave away a ton of prizes and gifts all designed to further our name recognition and educate the public about the importance of registered radiologic technologists in health care.

The OSRT is also considering a vendor table at the Play For The Cure, a softball tournament played in Newberg every August. Once again, our purpose is to provide information about licensed technologists and what we do, and to promote and distribute health care information. We are always looking for opportunities to represent our profession. If you know of any job fairs, or events that the OSRT might be able to attend, please contact us.

CONTINUING EDUCATON

As always, the OSRT strives to provide quality educational opportunities for technologists in Oregon and Southern Washington. The society hosted two major seminars in 2004/05. Our annual conference was held in April, 2005, at the Eugene Hilton. Fourteen hours of education were provided along with a chance for technologists to network, meet vendors and learn about new technologies and job opportunities. Vendors donated door prizes, sponsored afternoon break snacks and contributed hundreds of dollars to help us keep the costs of this seminar affordable. The Diamond Lake seminar, new to the OSRT this year, is held in September of every year. Attendees of this gathering enjoy the family friendly setting. There is an opportunity for two days of educational sessions for both RT's and limited license technologists. Family members enjoy the recreational offerings while the technologist earns CE credits. This year's Diamond Lake seminar is scheduled for September 16 and 17, load up the family and meet us there! Also, we already have dates for the 2006 annual conference. Join us in Seaside on April 21, 22 and 23 at the Seaside Best Western.

The OSRT has also teamed up with Linn Benton Community College to offer a Fall Symposium. This was the first year that this seminar was available, and the society believes that this will be a great alternative for many technologists. Be sure to check our website for information (coming soon) on this years symposium.

September 7, 2004

Fellow Technologists,

We are on the brink of a legislative year within Oregon.  Starting in January, 2005, the state government will be looking to cut the budget in every way.  We at the OSRT are looking to be the voice of the Radiologic Technologists of Oregon.  In attempts to reduce the budget the state is looking to combine the OBRT into a “superboard” that also will handle the dealings of body piercing and massage professionals.  This is only the one of the plans that we believe may be in progress.  The OSRT has begun to try to uphold our profession as well as the standards that we believe in by hiring a lobbyist to oversee the legislative dealings that concern us.

Unfortunately that requires capital.  Thus I introduce to you the OSRT Political Action Committee.  The PAC will fund the efforts of a hired lobbyist to make us aware of legislature that will affect RT’s and LPH’s throughout  Oregon.  This is an effort that will see to the needs of ALL radiologic professionals in Oregon regardless of  OSRT member status.  If you are a person employed in the radiologic sciences this is about you!!  Please regard this as a statement of utmost urgency!!  Any questions can be fielded by myself (Susan Putnam (503) 588-2695)  or the (OSRT office 1-888-286-7780).

This is about the future of our profession. I intend to make my voice heard---how about you?
Sincerely,

Susan D. Putnam RT(R)(MR)
President OSRT

Do you know who's taking your X-Rays?

Are they licensed by the State of Oregon?

Are you safe from being over exposed to radiation?

Did you know that Oregon has licensure rules for the persons who take x-rays? Persons working in the radiation field are required to pass state mandated tests and to continue their education every year to assure patients that they are safe while having an x-ray.

When you are scheduled for a medical imaging examination or radiation therapy treatment, make sure the person responsible for your care is a registered Radiologic Technologist. Registered radiologic technologists must complete at least two years of formal education in an accredited hospital-based program or a two- or four-year educational program at an academic institution and must pass a national certification examination. To remain registered, they must earn continuing education credits.

The x-rays delivered to a patient during a typical diagnostic imaging exam are safe, and educated radiologic technologists use the lowest dose possible to achieve a quality image. In addition, new techniques and equipment are constantly being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient. For example, modern mammography equipment, operated by trained technologists, delivers 1/40th the amount of radiation used 20 years ago.

Qualified radiologic technologists are educated in radiation safety and protection and use techniques to minimize dose and exposure. That's why it's important to ensure that your medical imaging examination is performed by a radiologic technologist who is nationally certified. In addition, 35 states license radiologic technologists including Oregon.

When your physician recommends an x-ray procedure, ask then if the x-ray will be done by a licensed Radiologic Technologist or contact the imaging office and ask them if your procedure will be done by a licensed R.T.

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Mammography:

Mammographers are also Radiologic Technologists who 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.

Mammography is an x-ray procedure that uses low-dose radiation to create an image of breast tissue. Mammography is the best way to find breast cancer early, because it can detect breast lumps up to two years before they can be felt. Finding a lump early significantly improves a woman's chance of successful treatment.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women have a baseline screening mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40 and receive a mammogram once a year after age 40. Women at high risk should have mammograms more often. The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman ages, if she has never had children, or if she had her first child after age 30. Studies also suggest that the risk may be higher for women who eat high-fat diets and those who smoke cigarettes. If you are not sure how frequently you should obtain a mammogram, consult your physician.

It is important to remember that 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no risk factors. One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and another woman is newly diagnosed with the disease every 3 minutes.

Be aware of the person who takes your next x-ray
~ if they are wearing a nametag with R.T. after their name ~
they are a highly qualified, well-trained Radiologic Technologist!

The report of House of Delegate activities is available through the ASRT website and publications; therefore only information pertinent to chapters is summarized here. Reports were received from Bone Densitometry, Education, Mammography, MRI, Quality Management, and Radiation Therapy chapter delegates. All Chapter meetings were held on June 14 & 15, 2004 in Dallas, Texas.

• Bone Densitometry: ARRT has discontinued the policy of retesting every five years, and this has led more technologists to take the advanced certification exam for BD. ISCD New Standards and precision studies were reviewed. ASRT Web site contains the updated Bone Densitometry Curriculum. Speakers list available through ISCD and ASRT. Sharon Wartenbee appointed Chair and Mary Carillo Vice Chair.
• Education: Discussed Leadership Academy for Educators, with announcement that the class for 2004 is filled, but individuals may apply for 2005. Education Chapter has approved the curriculum for bone densitometry, mammography, and CT. Draft curricula for PET/CT and Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO) are on the ASRT website.
• Mammography: Discussion of future speakers/topics for ASRT meetings, including breast sonography for mammographers and medical liability issues specific to mammography. Stephanie Persz appointed Chair and Pat Haecker Vice Chair. Little discussion on the two Professional Practice Committee resolutions on Breast Sonography.
• Management: Discussion held on the Technologist shortage, with consensus that it has eased in the urban areas but not in more rural locations. Technology challenges include DR and CR. Management classes offered at ASRT this year were often in conflict with required delegate classes, as was the reception hosted by Amersham Health for management. Members encouraged to fill out the ASRT survey. Salary report due out this summer. Amy Hofmann re-elected as Chairman, and Norma Mesa elected Vice Chair.
• MRI: ASRT has proposed changing qualifications for sitting for the MRI Post Primary Exam, allowing non RT's to sit. Consensus of the MRI Chapter was for nonadoption of this change. Review of pending HOD resolutions, as well as proposed bylaw changes. Sign up passed to submit Scanner articles. Election of Chair and Vice Chair not held due to no one present willing to serve. Positions will remain open.
• Quality Management: Discussed need to redefine the scope and current practices for QM technologists. A letter had been sent to ASRT Chairman, Donna Newman, asking ASRT to take a more active role in QM issues. Formation of a focus group suggested. A study guide for the ARRT QM examination was offered, and other resources discussed. Request will be made to ASRT asking for QM Chapter web page. Chapter will cooperate with ASRT and ARRT to complete survey better delineating QM practices.
• Radiation Therapy: Resolutions and restructuring of House of Delegates discussed. JRCERT seeks radiation therapists or dosimetrists working with students in school or clinical setting who would be willing to do site visits. Any radiation therapist can join the ASRT Radiation Therapy Chapter message board at http://groups.msn.com/ASRTRadiationTherapyChapter and click Join Now or Apply to Join. New Chair for Radiation Therapy is Bernadette Garafola, and Vice Chair is Shaun Cladwell. Dosimetry Chapter elected Stacy Anderson as Chairperson and Marco Lara as Vice Chair.
• Sonography: Final agreement is pending with ARDMS recognizing ASRT as a RECEEM, meaning that all category A credits approved by ASRT will be accepted for ARDMS credentialed sonographers. ARRT has announced that it is in the progress of changing the Sonography examination from a post-primary only exam, to a primary and post- primary exam. David Hill elected as Chair and Debbie Reinke as Vice Chair.

Report respectfully submitted by:
Susan Castanette
OSRT Board Chair 2004 Affiliate Delegate

Greetings,

It is my goal as OSRT President to do my best to serve our membership. I take this responsibility seriously but of course with some apprehension. My goal is to create a diverse yet unified society all working toward our common vision: To become the driving force on Oregon for the Radiologic Sciences. I would like you to consider me as a resource for most any questions. If I do not know the answer or am not sure, I think that the board with it's many years of experience can. I will look to them for guidance. I would also like to encourage active participation in YOUR society---for it is nothing without the strength of its members.

Thank You,

Susan D. Putnam, RT ( R) (MR)

OIT Medical Imaging Department regrets to announce it will be unable to hold the May Educational Symposium in 2004. Due to severe budgetary cuts and the shortage of imaging faculty, the faculty did not feel that an adequate conference could be prepared this year. The Department is working now to reinstate the May Educational Symposium for 2005. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We would like to thank the individuals who have attended and supported the symposium in the past years.

Regards,
Rees

Rees Stuteville, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT)(MR)
Professor - Radiologic Sciences Program
Department of Medical Imaging Technology
Oregon Institute of Technology
3201 Campus Drive
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
ofc (541) 885-1959
fax (541) 885-1849