Do
you know who's taking your X-Rays?Skiagram On-Line
Archive
The publication of the
Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists
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 2005
President's
Message 2004
Announcement:
Educational Offering Canceled for 2004
OSRT BOARD RETREATS TO WORK ON
STRATEGIC PLANNING
NEW CONTACT AT NELA
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, SEPTEMBER 2003
FINAL ISSUE SKIAGRAM GOES TO THE INTERNET
OSRT ADDS THREE NEW LIFE MEMBERS
Greetings from the President
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.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
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.
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!
ASRT
2004 House of Delegates
Summary of Region 2 Chapter Delegate Reports
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.
Report respectfully submitted by Susan Castanette OSRT Board Chair 2004 Affiliate Delegate
 |
Hello Everyone! Thanks for taking time to visit the website. I imagine
that we are all getting ready for the rush of the upcoming holiday
season-personally and professionally. |
|
Best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy holiday season. Susan D. Putnam, RT ( R) (MR) OSRT President |
|
|
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) |
Announcement: Educational Offering Canceled for 2004
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
stutevir@oit.edu
OSRT BOARD RETREATS TO WORK ON STRATEGIC PLANNING
The OSRT Board had their quarterly meeting on Friday evening October 24, 2003 at the Evangelical Center in Milwaukie, Oregon at 8:00pm. There were 18 persons in attendance. Two were student representatives from PCC and Albany. Susan Castanette shared her research on the offer for OSRT to manage the Fall Symposium at Diamond Lake that Joyce Matthys has sponsored for so many years. The board felt it was a wise venture to take on the responsibility of providing education throughout the state and will be working with Joyce as she retires from sponsoring this function.
Susan had just returned from Albuquerque, NM - ASRT office after meeting with the ASRT staff and representatives from the states that were selected for the pilot program on combined dues. After research by ASRT, it was felt that it was not economically feasible to institute a combined fee program with ASRT and the State Affiliates. The group spent the rest of the weekend working on how ASRT might support the affiliates needs so that they may remain viable.
Plans were discussed regarding the upcoming annual meeting in April 2003 at the Embassy Suites-Washington Square in Tigard, Oregon. Everything seems to be on track.
Annual Meeting Site Chairperson, Cheryl Rue, shared the information that the Doubletree in Eugene had been purchased and will most likely not be available for our annual meeting in 2005. She is pursuing other sites in Eugene for those dates.
Saturday morning October 25th the board members met for a full day of work. The group met with Jack and Trish Terranova serving as facilitators for the day's meeting. Discussion began with identifying what we wanted to accomplish. After prioritizing the objectives, we began to work on vision and mission statements. Everyone put forth ideas of topics and then broke out into three groups to develop a vision. All the ideas were brought together and a vision statement came to life:
"Be Oregon's driving force of excellence in the Radiologic Sciences"
The same process occurred and the final product, our mission statement was born:
"Develop a dynamic membership promoting and facilitating world-class radiologic patient care through enhanced market awareness and effective legislation"
Postcards have been sent to the members and all the students attending the Radiology programs in Oregon.
OSRT will be developing strategies to reach our vision. Are you ready to embrace these concepts and share the experience?
OSRT contracts with NELA Management in Salem, Oregon to provide our organization with administrative assistance. We have been privileged to work with Lee Ann Reed as our Executive Secretary. She has managed our database of members and kept track of our financial status. As well as being a resource for various challenges that we may face as an organization, Lee Ann has been a focal point to see that projects are completed. When asked to do a job, she sees that it gets done. NELA Management has taken on some new clients and Lee Ann will be taking over some of those accounts. She will continue to be available as a consultant for OSRT as needed. We wish the best for Lee Ann.
Sue Coleman has stepped up to the plate to be our Executive Secretary. She has been with NELA for just over 3 years. Before that she was at a CPA firm. Sue audits the books for the Oregon Foster Parent group and other clients. Sue is excited about working with OSRT and we are glad to have her on board. If you have any questions, e-mail the office at or call 1-888-286-7780.
Submitted by
Diane Dupree RTR
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE, SEPTEMBER 2003
Summer's over and the kids are all back to school. Rest assured that the OSRT board had not been on vacation! We've been busy representing the RT's of the state in a variety of ways.
In June, I attended the ASRT annual conference and House of Delegates, and six others from our board were also there. We served at delegates for the Oregon affiliate, as well as Bone Densitometry, Education, MRI, and Radiography. The House of Delegates had some lively discussion regarding governance restructuring and the number of future delegates, and well as on the issue of limited permit holders, now officially called "limited x-ray machine operators" by the ASRT. The resolutions that passed can be found on the ASRT web site at www.asrt.org.
We held our August board meeting, where we discussed Northwest Conference, our NELA contract, our upcoming annual meeting next April, our attendance at OBRT board meetings, as well as numerous other "housekeeping" issues.
I will be visiting the Diamond Lake conference on September 13th to gather information and see how it is run. Joyce Mathys has offered OSRT the opportunity to take over this annual CE offering when she retires, and it is a decision we are taking seriously. Although this conference was originally tailored to limited permit holders, about half of the current attendees are RT's.
In early October, a few of us will travel to Las Vegas to attend the Western Caucus. At this time, we formulate possible resolutions to be presented at next year's ASRT House of Delegates.
And in late October, the board will hold another meeting, combined with a long range planning retreat. We need to look to the future and plan not only where we are headed, but what we want to be like when we get there. We would value your input! Talk to the board members, in person, by e-mail, or on the phone. Let us know what is important to you; how you want us to guide and further our profession.
Your OSRT board is a group of hard-working, dedicated volunteers. We are only here because we care about the RT's of Oregon, and we want to make a difference.
Sincerely,
Susan
FINAL ISSUE SKIAGRAM GOES TO THE INTERNET
The question has been asked in the previous issues and was posed at the 74th
Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologist Annual Meeting. After much discussion,
the information offered by the Skiagram can now be viewed at the OSRT Website (www.oregonsrt.org).
By having the membership access the information on the website, the OSRT Board
feels that they can provide ongoing updated information to the technologists in
a timely manner. This is the final hardcopy issue of the Skiagram. A reminder
postcard will be sent out in the Fall to encourage members to view updated
information at the website. Your Board Members chose this course of action as a
method of providing you a service while keeping the budget in check. The
proposed savings will be approximately $1200.00.
OSRT ADDS THREE NEW LIFE MEMBERS
|
|
Life members are individuals who have shown unflagging support of the OSRT and have consistently and unselfishly contributed to their profession on a district, state and national level. To be recognized as a life member, someone must submit information on a candidate to the OSRT Board for consideration. The Board must vote for approval of the candidate unanimously. Barb Smith was certified as a technologist in 1979, has been a district President (1986) and President of OSRT twice (1993 & 1994). She has served the membership on the OSRT Board as an elected officer of your professional society as well as being chairman or co-chair of committees for the annual meeting. Committees served on are Student Activities-1987 & 1988, Education 1996 & 1998, and Annual Meeting 1999 & 2001. |
Serving doesn't stop at the local or state level. Barb has served in the ASRT House of Delegates as the Oregon Affiliate delegate and Region II Chapter Delegate of Education. In addition to serving in the House of Delegates, she has been a member and a chairman in the Commission on Education and a member of a Focus Group- Radiography Curriculum Revision Project. These are not just a one- time commitment: her national involvement began as a member of ASRT in 1986. She was recognized by her peers at the national level and elevated to ASRT Fellow, June 2002 for her accomplishments and service to our profession.
Bart Pierce was certified as a technologist in 1986, has been a district President 1989 & 1990, OSRT Vice President (1990) and President of OSRT twice, (1991 & 1996). In addition to serving as an elected officer on the OSRT Board, Bart has been chairman of several committees. Committees for Annual Meeting served are Education 1989 to 1998. OSRT Board committees are Skiagram 1990 to 2001, Bylaws 1997 & 1999 and Web Site Development 2001.
Bart has been a member of ASRT since 1987. He has served in the ASRT House of Delegates as an Oregon Affiliate Delegate and Region II Chapter Delegate of MRI. He has been a member and/or chairperson of committee on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Commission on Professional Practice. Bart volunteers whenever need for Task Forces, Committees, Focus or Project Groups. Bart has attended Leadership Academy, which is sponsored by ASRT. This workshop provides invaluable education to the present and future leaders of our profession. Other activities to add to Bart's repertoire are participation at RT In DC and speaking at seminars locally and nationally.
Randy Harp was certified as a technologist in 1979. He has been a district President 1982, 1989, & 1994 and OSRT President twice, 1988 & 1997. In addition to serving as an elected officer on the OSRT Board, Randy has been on many committees: Annual Meeting Properties- 1988, 1999-2003, OSRT Board Committees- Professional Affairs 1981-1984, Skiagram advertising 1988 & 1989 and Legislative Committee 1999-2003.
Randy has served in the ASRT House of Delegates as an Oregon Affiliate Delegate and Region II Chapter Delegate of Radiography. He served on the committee ASRT Sergeants-at-Arms 2002. He has attended RT In DC, speaks at local and national seminars and attended ASRT Leadership Academy. Randy has been serving our profession as a member of ASRT since 1987.
These are statistics that have been gathered on three individuals who we have all come to know and respect over the years. This represents a brief journal of their professional career. Each of these individuals may represent something different to the membership; however we have experienced common and unique qualities from every one of them. Barb wears leather and rides motorcycles, Bart raises guide dogs and travels with them to competitions, and Randy guides water rafting trips on the McKenzie River. Each one has shared with us- Leadership, Mentoring, Compassion for the profession and their fellow professionals, and Friendship.
By unanimous vote of approval from the OSRT Board, Barbara Smith, Bart Pierce, and Randy Harp were presented to the OSRT membership on April 12, 2003 as Life Members of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Thank you for electing me as President of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists, for the coming year. I find myself often inspired by the confidence that others have in me, and I have taken the mindset that I will set my sights high, do the best job I can, certainly learn a lot on the way, and - because this is OSRT - have fun in the process. When I agreed to run for this office, I was unopposed, (as we often are in this volunteer, non-profit world) and so I never had to think of a platform or make campaign promises. In the last few months, I found myself trying to decide what I do want to focus on during my term. One thing that has evolved out of my recent experiences is a strong focus on student involvement in our professional societies:
A Western Caucus last October
At ASRT Leadership Academy in January, two students in the Rad science program attended
At our recent Cont. E. Seminar at Tuality Hospital in March, many students came for the extra credit they were offered. I felt having them in attendance really added to the quality of the seminar.
At our Annual meeting in Bend this year, we had quite a few students in attendance, both from PCC and OIT.
Stewart Bushong, Barb Smith, and Radiology students
My first hope is that the caliber of students I've met and talked with in these recent experiences is an indication of the quality of people entering the imaging field. My second hope is that today's students and new technologists will realize both the importance and benefit of being involved in their professional societies. We as an organization need to find a way to keep students involved, and impress on them the power they have in controlling the future of the imaging profession.
I asked Barbara smith to do the installation of officer this year because she was on of my teachers in the Radiography Program at PCC, and I recognize her important role in bringing me to the point where I am today. I'm sure most of you in our field would agree we are working in a wonderful profession. We have almost unlimited possibilities for variety and advancement, we have economic security that isn't available in so many other fields, most of us have seen dramatic increases in our wages in recent years, and the high demand in our field is predicted to continue for a long time. I'm very excited for today's students that are preparing to enter imaging profession, and I think you've picked a great time to join us.
Sincerely,
Susan
From the Editor:
I believe it is important for the membership to receive news about their professional organization. I want to encourage everyone to follow up and access your website www.oregonsrt.org periodically for the latest information. Our webmaster, Terry Pleger is doing a great job keeping the site updated monthly. Let me know what's happening in your area. Refer to the directory and send me or anyone on the board your comments. Write an article, stimulate discussion among the membership, and attend the quarterly board meetings. Watch for the next version of the Skiagram coming to you electronically.
Diane
The Skiagram is the official publication of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists. The views expressed in the Skiagram do no necessarily represent those of the Editor or of the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists. The editor reserves the right to edit for space and grammar. The editor also reserves the right to refuse to publish inflammatory information at their discretion.
