Skiagram On-Line
The publication of the
Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists
STUDENT CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - 2010
OREGON BOARD OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS MAKING CHANGES
OSRT CONGRATULATES RACHEL JAQUITH
THE BENEFITS OF STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
THOUGHTS FROM A STUDENT TECHNOLOGIST
ARRT
Certificates Issued 1/1/11 and Beyond
To be Time-Limited Under 'CQ/2011' Plan
STUDENT CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
First place was Randall Hall (right side), second place was Estel Hayes (left side) and third place was Katie Hoover (center)
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 [subscriptions@inspire.com].
Check it out.
Hope you find this
useful…Thanks
Robbyn Scriven RTR,(BD)
OREGON BOARD OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS MAKING CHANGES
The Oregon Board of Radiologic Technology (OBRT) will become the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI). They will license all individuals who do medical imaging and therapy in the following areas: Radiography, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, MRI, and Ultrasound. Currently a committee is working on the new Oregon Administrative rules, which will be open for public review after the first of the year.
OSRT CONGRATULATES RACHEL JAQUITH!
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A $500 OSRT
scholarship went to Rachel Jaquith. She is at the Adventist Medical
Center in Portland. In her thank you she said the following, |
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
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
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
CAMRT
Annual General Conference
CAMRT is
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
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.
THOUGHTS
FROM A STUDENT TECHNOLOGIST
By Bobbi Guzman
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.
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Randy Harp
attended the ASRT sponsored RT in DC held at the The new
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical
Imaging and Radiation Therapy (The Rep. Charlie
Gonzalez (D-TX-20), from Dave Goch, ASRT legal counsel, has asked Julie to “encourage Mr. Gonzalez to offer the bill as an amendment to the tri-Committee House health care draft” and if his office gets lots of calls from other representatives wanting to be cosponsors it will only help them in deciding to add it as an amendment. Randy, as your Legislative Representative, would encourage technologists to call, email or get in touch with you local representatives. Tell them about this new bill, and ask for their sign-on as a sponsor or co-sponsor. |
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Did you know that the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists was chartered in 1929? It is very exciting to be president of the OSRT during its 80th year, and to know the history we are continuing to build on.
In 1929, penicillin was discovered and first used to combat disease. The same year, Werner Forssmann experimented with Cardiac Catheterization-by advancing a catheter into his own heart, then calmly walking into the x-ray department to tell his colleagues what he'd accomplished -with the catheter still in place! Beyond the world of medicine, the first public phone booths appeared in London, England and the soft drink 7-up was invented, and in Oregon, construction on the beautiful St. John's Bridge in Portland. And to cap it off, the Oregon State Beavers football team broke the University of Detroit Titan's 22-game winning streak.
My how far we've come! In 2009, Oregon is a center of technology, while still holding onto its agricultural roots. Those of us who live and work here know how lucky we are to live in a state filled with natural and cultural gems: the Oregon Coast, the Columbia Gorge, the Cascades, a world famous Shakespearean festival in Ashland...just to name a few.
The officers of OSRT are committed to keeping Oregon a great place to work for all medical technologies. We strive to offer you the highest quality CE, to stay in tune with state and national legislation that may affect medical imaging, and to represent you at the ASRT House of Delegates each year. Please let us know your interests and concerns, so that we can do our job even better.
Happy 2009 to all of you and here's to another 80 years of OSRT!
Sincerely,
Susan Castanette
OSRT President
Are you interested in the OSRT and want to be more involved? Many volunteer opportunities exist:
Serve on the Educational Committee, helping to secure speakers for CE seminars.
Serve on the Legislative Committee, attend hearing in Portland or Salem, and communicate legislative updates to OSRT members and Board.
Assist with annual meeting registration in April 2009 in Cottage Grove.
Act as official photographer or decoration coordinator for the April meeting.
Serve on the annual meeting site committee, looking at venues for future years.
Become an OSRT speaker, offering your expertise and sharing your knowledge through an approved CE offering.
For information on these volunteer opportunities, contact any Board member or:
Susan Castanette
(503) 681-1373
At the OSRT annual meeting in April, we will be electing officers for the coming year. Please submit nominations for Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President, or President-Elect to:
The Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists last raised the dues amount to its members in 2003. In order to provide continued services to you, the Board of Directors is proposing that the annual OSRT membership fees be raised from $40 to $45 dollars. This increase will be voted on by members at our Annual meeting April 17-18, 2009 in Cottage Grove
ARRT Certificates Issued 1/1/11 and Beyond
To be Time-Limited Under 'CQ/2011' Plan~Won't Apply to Pre-Existing Registered Certifications~
Continued Qualifications Requirements program establishes 10-year time frame.
(ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA-June 7, 2007) - ARRT certifications awarded January 1, 2011, and thereafter will be time-limited to 10 years. Prior to the end of the 10-year period, the individual will be required to demonstrate continued qualifications in order to continue to hold the certification.
The Continued Qualifications Requirements - 'CQ/2011,' for short - will not apply to any certificates that were issued before 1/1/11 and kept currently registered.
The new CQ requirements were announced June 3 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
ARRT says that the new requirements are based on new realities. "Although at one time the shelf life of knowledge was sufficiently long that the 'once certified, forever qualified' approach might be true, this proposition can no longer be supported," according to ARRT President Anne C. Chapman, R.T.(R)(N), CNMT. "The reality is that knowledge has a limited shelf life, and we want consumers to know that ARRT certification means that the individual has relevant current knowledge that enhances his or her ability to provide high-quality patient care."
Details of how the program will work are being developed. "Generally, the model will include an assessment component tailored to an individual's particular practice pattern, an activities component specific to their areas of need, and a verification component that assures that the areas of need have been addressed," according to ARRT Executive Director Jerry B. Reid, Ph.D. "The CQ2011 model will recognize a variety of activities to document that areas of need have been addressed effectively, including CE."
ARRT has posted a comprehensive "Q&A" on its www.arrt.org website and will update it as information is made available.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing individuals qualified in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, ARRT evaluates, certifies, and annually registers more than a quarter-of-a-million radiologic technologists across the United States. For more information, visit www.arrt.org.
ARRT
