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

OSRT Office
PO Box 7863
Salem, OR  97303

Phone:
503-315-0930

E-mail:

Skiagram On-Line

2010 Archive

2010 Student Challenge Winners Announced

2010 - Message From The President

Osteoporosis Update

Oregon Board of Radiologic Technologists Making Changes

OSRT Congratulates Rachel Jaquith

The Benefits of Student Membership

Thoughts From a Student Technologist

Wow, 2010! This may not be 2010--a Space Odyssey ( for all you sci-fi buffs), but it certainly is 2010: an odyssey of discovery. When I look back over the span of my career (over 30 years, for those of you who are counting), I am amazed at all the advances our profession has made. Although x-ray has been around for over 100 years, we have gone from the dark ages of darkrooms to the development of digital imaging. Most other modalities (CT, MRI and US) were only put into general use since the 1970's. When I was in training US was still B-mode, CT was just making its debut and MRI was still in development. Its amazing to me what has been accomplished.

OSRT has been going through the same odyssey of discovery. We have made many changes to keep up with the changes in our profession. We have moved from dividing our state into districts that offered small informal meetings, to offering chapter meetings that are more pertinent to the specific modalities. The Mammography Chapter and Radiation Therapy Chapter are offering excellent seminars that are pertinent to their fields.

We also offer meetings in different parts of the state. The Diamond Lake meeting in September is a good way to combining quality continuing education with a little fishing on the side. The Portland meeting which will be in February this year, is a good way to combine CE with shopping. The Annual meeting will be in Newport in April . You can't go wrong with a meeting at the coast. Whether its stormy or sunny, its always a wonderful place to visit. I would like to encourage all of you to attend one or more of these meetings. It's a excellent way to network with other people in your profession as well as visit places in our wonderful state of Oregon.

OSRT has been my own personal odyssey of discovery. From when I joined as a student to now, I have made various advancements. I started out as a District officer and have finally worked my way to President, one position I never thought I would want. I always thought it would be too much work, and way to scary. Especially to get up in front of people and lead the annual meeting. That will be a new experience for me, and one I'm actually looking forward to, in a scary sort of way.

I can't help thinking of the saying, "If we stop advancing, we cease to exist". That's the way it is with many things. Joining OSRT has been a great odyssey for me. I've made wonderful friends, people I look forward to seeing and spending time with. The meetings always renew my enthusiasm for a profession I never seem to tire of. I'm hoping to see many of you at future meetings, to see what will happen in the coming years.

Cheryl Rue, RTR ( M)
OSRT President

Osteoporosis is a very costly disease, not only in monies but in lives.

If you have 100 people who break a hip, 25 of those folks will die within the first year.  Another 25 will never get out of long term care.  The other 50 folks will never have the quality of life they did before.

Medicare has cut reimbursement for the DXA exam, which is the gold standard for measuring ones risk of osteoporosis.  Because of this, several sites that were doing scans have discontinued providing this service.  The National Osteoporosis Foundation was doing a survey to see how many sites have been affected.  Where I work we receive only about $43.50 for each Medicare scan.  That is hardly cost effective but we are able to absorb the loss because of all the other imaging that we do.  Small offices aren’t so lucky.  There is a bill in Congress that is asking for reimbursement to be back at 2006 levels which was about $140.  Bills numbers….Senate S.769, House HR.1894.  These bills are addressing other imaging reimbursements also.

On a different note….The National Osteoporosis Foundation has started a blog of sorts….called Team Inspire…One receives daily updates via e-mail.  The content is made up of interested parties talking about their experiences with different drugs therapies; calcium and other minerals, “what worked for me” type information.  It is interesting read.  One can reach the web site at Team Inspire https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation Check it out.

Hope you find this useful…Thanks

Robbyn Scriven RTR,(BD)

Why is it important for students enrolled in an academic program for Radiologic Technologist to be active in the OSRT? Student membership in the OSRT is beneficial for both the student and the OSRT. Through participation in the OSRT, you can take advantage of professional development opportunities. In turn, the OSRT benefits by maintaining a dynamic membership.

The Rules of the Road

Becoming an RT is a bit like learning to drive. When you get your driver’s license, it is a license to learn. When you complete your registry exam, you begin to learn how to creatively handle challenging situations. Learning and professional development are a life-long process.

During your didactic education, you will master the technical aspects of becoming an RT. Your professors have provided you with the latest information on emerging imaging procedures, scientific studies, and legal and ethical requirements of the job. As a student in clinical rotations, you have already found the person with flawless “x-ray vision”, the person who is fabulous with children, and the person who shoots a perfect odontoid every time. These are the people you turn to when you have a challenging patient or exam. You seek their advice because they have experience and are willing to share their knowledge.

In matters of your career, it is not necessary to “re-invent the wheel”.  The OSRT can guide you around the potholes of the profession and help protect your career and the public you serve. Your membership in the OSRT will provide you with an opportunity to control your professional destination.

Roadside Assistance

The OSRT provides support to students through scholarship, leadership development, and networking opportunities. Scholarships are available to members who are students of radiologic technology programs in Oregon. Educational reading and courses offered by the OSRT and the ASRT supplement your intellectual development. Participation in meetings and other activities sponsored by the OSRT promotes professional development and growth.

In the Driver’s Seat

You have made a significant investment in your future and have chosen a career in medical imaging. Soon, your imaging world will be much larger than your classroom or clinical site. Whether you will be working as an RT for 10 years or 40 years, whether you will focus on x-ray or continue on to master other modalities, you have made a commitment to your future. You have the ability to steer your future with the help of the OSRT.

The OSRT actively participates with the OBRT in proposing and reviewing legislation that protects the public and the profession of medical imaging. The OSRT has the support of the ASRT in addressing statewide legislation that affects our profession. As national and state legislation regarding medical imaging becomes more restrictive, we have the resources and successful strategies provided by the ASRT to ensure that new legislation not only protects the patient, but also the technologist.   You have the most to lose, and the most to gain, from changes in legislation that affect your profession. Let your voice be heard.

Road Trip

Interacting with other professionals outside your clinical site can give you a broader perspective on the issues that affect health care and your future profession.  Attend conventions, seminars, the annual meeting, and events where your colleagues are being recognized for their contributions to the field. The annual meeting is a great place to meet others in the field and to network with technologists in your geographic area and area of expertise. You will find a community of colleagues sharing a common goal of promoting excellence in our profession.  The OSRT 81st Annual Meeting and continuing education will be held April 9-10, 2010 at the Hallmark Resort in Newport, Oregon.

The Road Less Traveled

When you are ready to expand your horizons, other adventures are waiting for you. There are many opportunities for you to stay connected to your peers at the local, national and international level, giving you a competitive edge as an active, informed member of your profession. Represent the OSRT in the greater community, and then bring what you’ve learned back to your colleagues at the OSRT. Be a divergent ray.

RT in DC

This year, R.T. in D.C. will be held in Washington, D.C. March 7-9, 2010. Technologists from across the nation attend this event to advocate at the state and federal levels for the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence (CARE) in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill and meet their congressional representatives and senators.

CAMRT Annual General Conference

CAMRT is Canada’s national professional society and certifying body for radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists and magnetic resonance technologists. The annual conference is an opportunity for professional development, leadership opportunities, challenging intellectual discussion and international camaraderie. This year the CAMRT Annual Conference will be held May 27-30, 2010 in Quebec City.

ISSRT World Congress

The International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists is an international consortium which promotes growth in communications between member nations. The ASRT is a society member. This year, the World Congress will be held September 9-12, 2010, Gold Coast, Australia.

The Road to Success is Always Under Construction

Being a student member of the OSRT is not enough. To fully receive the benefits of membership, you need to be engaged with the organization in areas that interest you. Volunteer for special projects. Try out your writing skills by submitting articles to the SKIAGRAM or the OSRT website. Contact the OSRT to see how you can get involved. With any membership, you get what you put into it. If you are already active in the OSRT, invite a fellow student to join. Help build a strong voice for radiologic technology issues.

Down the Road

The future of the radiologic technology profession lies with the students. You are the future leaders in the medical imaging community, the OSRT, the ASRT and the international medical imaging community. The OSRT supports and encourages you to grow intellectually and professionally so that you can contribute to this dynamic field.

As a student in Linn Benton Community College's (LBCC) Diagnostic Imaging program, I've learned a great deal about radiography. My practical experiences have been exceptional and I have enjoyed learning the science of radiography and the skills necessary to be a Radiological Technologist (RT). During this time, my principal goal has been to be the best RT I could possibly envision for myself. For me, the two most essential components of being the best have been professionalism and quality patient care.

Maintaining a professional attitude has been a necessity for me throughout the duration of my educational experience. There have been instances in which conversations and settings could have become inappropriate or at least questionable and I've had to make difficult decisions that have not always been popular, but were right for me. Choosing the more difficult right choices over the easier wrong ones is never easy but always necessary. As a healthcare provider, I want to constantly hold myself to the highest possible standard, while keeping in mind that my attention needs to be on the patients and producing excellent radiographs. Conducting myself in a professional manner is necessary since I'm representing not only myself, but also the Radiology department and LBCC as well.

Patient care is one area that I excel at and pride myself in. Greeting patients with a friendly smile and a warm introduction are essential. I always try to maintain a cheerful attitude with my patients, however this can be difficult with certain individuals. In addition, establishing this warm and welcoming atmosphere with patients helps to obtain important and accurate information during each exam. With every patient I give them my full attention and I try to keep interruptions to a minimum. My ultimate goal is to treat each patient the same way I'd want myself or my family members to be treated; with care and compassion. I truly believe that patient-provider interactions would be more pleasant for everyone involved if there was a greater emphasis on providing quality care of this kind.

During the past 18 months, I've learned that there are many valuable traits that are necessary to be a successful RT. Among those, professionalism and quality patient care have been the most important for me and they should be the ultimate goal for any healthcare worker. Additionally, success in the field of radiography requires a great deal of resolve along with a desire for learning. I will continue to strive for these goals throughout my career not only for myself, but also for my patients.