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WSRT
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE UPDATE -
CALL FOR DONATIONS!
By now, each of you should have received a
conference flyer and registration form outlining the speakers and
activities we have planned for this year’s Annual Meeting in
Jackson, WY, September 5-8, 2002 at the Snow King Resort and Center.
In case you can’t immediately find your flyer, you can find all of
the information and registration forms at the WSRT’s website, thanks
to Mike Lewis. Simply print the form, fill it out, and send it in
with your registration.
IMPORTANT! A block of 50 rooms has been
reserved at lower rates for the WSRT, but reservations need to be
made by August 4th! (I know this is earlier than usual, but the
Conference dates are creeping up on us soon, too!) We cannot "hold"
the block of rooms beyond this date, and while the Snow King will
still honor the WSRT rate if you make your reservation after August
4th, it will be subject to room availability. So make your
reservations now by calling 1-800-522-KING. (The WSRT room rate is
also available three days prior to and after the conference, so if
you decide to stretch out your stay, you can!)
The theme of this year’s conference
is: Shake Up Your Profession: From "I’m All Shook Up" to "Shake It
Up, Baby!" In the spirit of this theme, we would love to have
everyone bring/round up/solicit donations for door prizes and raffle
prizes reflecting this theme. Some ideas can be salt and pepper
shakers, free shakes, shake makers, Shaker furniture, Elvis
memorabilia ("All Shook Up"), Austin Powers memorabilia ("Shake It
Up, Baby!"),...you get the idea! You can bring your donations
directly to the conference, or send them to me at 6525 Foxglove
Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82001, OR send them to Leigh Copeland, R.T.(R)
c/o St. John’s Medical Center, 625 E. Broadway St., Jackson, WY
83001. If the WSRT needs to specially recognize the
donor/business/organization, please let us know so that we can get
it printed in the conference program.
So far, the speaker, sponsor, and
volunteer support has been awesome, and things are progressing as
planned (I hope they continue that way!) I have received inquiries
about the conference from technologists as far away as Texas and
Delaware, so we may have company and new faces attending this year’s
meeting. I hope to see lots of you there in order to help give them
a proper Wyoming welcome!
For those of you who are considering
bringing your spouses, significant others, families, etc., the Snow
King provides and can set up several activities for their
entertainment such as whitewater rafting and scenic float trips on
the Snake River, guided tours to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton
National Parks, fishing trips, hiking and biking tours, and even hot
air balloon rides! For more information on prices and availability,
call the Snow King Resort Activity Desk at 1-800-522-5464, ext.
7128. Other information about Jackson and the surrounding area can
be obtained by contacting the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce or
going to their website.
If you have any other questions,
suggestions for the conference, or desire to volunteer(!), feel free
to call me at (307)778-1391 or e-mail me at: smason@lccc.cc.wy.us.
See you in September!
From the President
Hello to the WSRT - Is anybody out there? I have not heard from many
members this past year and I was wondering if we, the Board, are the
only ones here. We need input from all of you to help the Society
grow in the ways the membership wants us to grow, not just the way
the Board wants the Society to go. Please let us hear from you.
The summer has been pretty eventful for the
WSRT delegates to the ASRT. A big CONGRATS go to Linda Holden who
was voted Vice Speaker of the House for the coming year. This is a
really great honor. Linda will be a great representive of our state
and the ASRT also. Nice job Linda.
Linda and Starla Mason were the affiliate
delegates for the WSRT as neither Kristy Nystrom or myself were able
to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Mine was a big conflict as
the first day of the National meeting was my first day at a new job.
Asking to wait a week was not an option. I truly missed going but
know that you were in good hands with Starla and Linda. I hope to be
able to attend in the future.
Plans are underway for the 2003 conference.
I have found a site in Deadwood but want to look at a few more
before I commit to one place. I am looking at Sept 18-20 for the
dates. I will need a lot of help with recruiting speakers and help
from all of our wonderful vendors as with my new job I no longer
work in a Radiology setting but a physicians office and I do not see
the vendors at all. If anyone wishes to help with the planning
committee please let me know. There is plenty of work to do.
I have learned many things during my year
as President. I hope to still be able to help when my tenure is up
but I cannot be one of a very dwindling few to keep the society
running. We all need to become involved and recruit others too.
Until September in Jackson,
Peggy Jereb
Nominations &
Elections
This year, unbelievably and unfortunately, we’ve had exactly one
candidate for each office except secretary in which there were no
candidates. And also unfortunately, the board (myself included) has
had a bit of difficulty getting the train running down the tracks,
so to speak. There were some difficulties with the ballots, some
miscommunications and the bottom line is that the ballots did not go
out on time. In turn, this has placed the WSRT in violation of its
bylaws and the board must declare the ballot invalid.
So what to do? First, all current officers
will remain as officers until the situation is resolved. Second, if
there are a quorum of members present at the conference, the board
may decide to conduct an election of officers at that time. If so, I
would encourage each and every member interested in running for
office to try to make it to Jackson. If you are unable to make it to
the conference, please inform someone who is going that you would
like to run for office and forward a letter stating such with your
signature to the board at the conference, as well as your
credentials.
I suspect that the board will entertain
nominations at the first business session on Friday, then entertain
additional nominations at the second session and conduct the
election. The officers may then be installed as normal. The current
accepted nominations for office will remain in effect and they are
Glenn Janezich of Cheyenne for Treasurer, Laurie Weaver of Casper
for Vice President and Mike Lewis of Cheyenne for President-Elect.
If there are any others that I am unaware of as of this writing,
please let the WSRT board know immediately.
The current board members who will continue
to next year are Peggy Jereb as Past President and Kristy Nystrom as
President. Positions open for nominations are President-Elect,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The two non-voting members
of the board are the Cathode Editor which currently is myself and
the WBRTE member which is Kristy Nystrom. The currently proposed
bylaws changes for this next year will permit Kristy to serve on
both boards but do prevent her from voting as a board member.
The board deeply regrets the situation this
year and hopes that this will prove to be a one time issue that the
future boards will be able to avoid.
LCCC News
LAMBDA NU - Students at LCCC now have the opportunity to join Lambda
Nu, a National Honor Society for the Radiologic and Imaging
Sciences. LCCC received the first charter for Wyoming in March and
is officially the "Wyoming Alpha Chapter of Lambda Nu." In order to
be eligible for Lambda Nu membership, students must earn and
maintain a professional course GPA of 3.0 or higher, be enrolled as
a full-time radiologic or imaging sciences student, and demonstrate
evidence of professional commitment beyond the requirements of the
program.
Twenty-five radiography and sonography
students and the three faculty members have been inducted into the
society, and each program’s graduates and faculty were able to wear
Lambda Nu’s graduation apparel at LCCC’s commencement on May 21,
2002. This included old gold stoles with the lambda and nu Greek
characters embroidered on them and maroon and forest green cords.
Maroon represents the radiologic sciences, forest green represents
the health professions, and gold is the ancient color of honor.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following graduates:
RADIOGRAPHY: Teri Bedwell, Pat Fitzgerald,
Jenny Kolnik, Mi Chelle Mcgee, Shelley Malone, Shelly O’Leary, Cathy
Reichert-Boone, Nikki Schieferstein, Christy Steen, Traci Stowe,
Debby Taylor-Lippard, and Dottie Whalen. Each of these students were
awarded their A.A.S. degrees on May 21, 2002 in Cheyenne, and will
officially complete the program July 17, 2002 (most are working
already!)
SONOGRAPHY: Julie Blackwood, Julie
Gallegos, Melissa Gunther, and Melissa Mahaffy. These four students
represent the first Wyoming sonography graduates ever and were
awarded their advanced certificates during LCCC’s Commencement. And
so far, each of these students has passed the portions of the RDMS
they have taken--way to go!
FAREWELL - The faculty and students bid
farewell to Victor White, the program’s Clinical Coordinator, this
past month. Victor is moving on to Lewiston, ID where he officially
starts July 1 as the Program Director for a brand new radiography
program at Lewis and Clark State College. He will start with 7
students this fall, with the total program capacity of 20 expected
to be reached within the next two years. We all wish him the best of
luck!
In the meantime, the search and interview
process is in progress for his replacement. We will keep you
posted...
ULTRASOUND PROGRAM APPLICATIONS - The Sonography Program at LCCC
will begin its application process July 1. Applications will be
available on-line at or hard copy on that date, and will be accepted
until October 1, 2002. Accepted students will begin classes January
2003. For more information, visit the sonography website (above) or
contact Linda Holden, M.S.,R.T.(R)(QM)RDMS, the Sonography Program
Director at (307)778-1127 or e-mail her at: lholden@lccc.cc.wy.us
.
MAMMOGRAPHY ECE OPPORTUNITY! - If you are a
mammographer (or simply interested in breast imaging), and are in
need of ECE credits which satisfy both ARRT and MQSA requirements, a
total of 16 ECE credits are available through the Sonography Program
this summer. Interested technologists can receive for 1 college
credit (16 ECE units) in the Sonography program’s "Topics: CE in
Breast Imaging" course. Class days are July 27 and August 10 from
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. For more information, contact Linda Holden,
M.S.,R.T.(R)(QM)RDMS, the Sonography Program Director at
(307)778-1127 or e-mail her at: lholden@lccc.cc.wy.us.
Casper College News
Casper College is pleased to welcome 11 new students who have
started an intensive summer semester. They all are so enthusiastic
and ready to learn everything about diagnostic imaging.
We would also like to congratulate our 9
graduates. All of them have found wonderful jobs throughout the
United States, and we wish them the very best as they start their
new career.
The Casper College Student Radiogrpahy
Association has been very busy. They have put together a team to
raise funds for the Relay For Life, here in Casper in August. Also,
many of our students are planning to attend the WSRT Fall Conference
in Jackson, so they have been madly fund raising to cover the cost.
Our Spring Conference held here at Casper
College was a huge success. The speakers were wonderful and everyone
seemed to enjoy both the educational aspect as well as being able to
network with other technologists. We will be planning another
seminar next spring and hope to see everyone there.
2002-2003 ASRT
BOARD MEMBERS TAKE OFFICE;
DONNA NEWMAN
INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Officers of the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists were installed June 12 during the ASRT’s 74th Annual
Conference in Birmingham, Ala.
Serving the ASRT during 2002-2003 will be Allen Terrell, M.S.,
R.T.(R)(MR), of Vicksburg, Miss., chairman of the board; Donna
Newman, B.A., R.T.(R), CNMT, of Fargo, N.D., president; Eileen
Maloney, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, of Paterson, N.J.,
president-elect; Dawn Fearn, M.A., R.T.(R)(T)(QM), CMD, of
Corvallis, Ore., vice president; Cathy Parsons, R.T.(R)(M)(QM), of
Crossville, Tenn., secretary-treasurer; Richard Fucillo, R.T.(R),
FASRT, of Las Vegas, Nev., speaker of the House of Delegates; and
Linda Holden, R.T.(R)(QM), of Cheyenne, Wyo., vice speaker of the
House of Delegates.
The seven Board members will serve through
June 2003, guiding the ASRT as it works to provide its members with
educational opportunities, promote radiologic technology as a
career, enhance the abilities of the radiologic science work force,
and monitor state and federal legislation affecting the profession.
-ASRT-
SILENT AUCTION AND
ANNUAL FUND-RAISER BOOST REVENUES FOR THE ASRT FOUNDATION
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Good-natured fun and healthy competitive bidding
helped the ASRT Education and Research Foundation exceed its
fund-raising goal, collecting $18,000 at its Annual Silent Auction
and Scrubs Party.
From neon stripes to metallic fringe,
attendees wore outlandish and embellished medical scrubs in an
effort to win prizes for their apparel. The event is the
Foundation’s annual fund-raiser and was held June 9 during the 74th
American Society of Radiologic Technologists Annual Conference in
Birmingham, Ala.
“It was great fun and as always we are very
grateful to our members’ generosity,” said Michael Ward, Ph.D.,
R.T.(R), FASRT, the Foundation’s chairman of the board.
Ultimately, the money will help support and
fund the Foundation’s scholarships and research grants. The
Foundation awarded 14 scholarships worth more than $42,000 during
the ASRT 2002 Annual Conference in Birmingham, Ala. The collective
amount includes three new scholarship categories for 2002, the Royce
Osborn Minority Scholarship, the Jerman-Cahoon Scholarship and the
Varian Scholarship. Two existing scholarship programs, the Siemens
Scholar Award and the Isadore Stern Scholarships, continued.
Benjamin James Morris, R.T.(R)(T)(CT), of
Battlefield, Mo., candidate for a bachelor of science in health arts
degree from the University of St. Francis, won the fourth annual
Siemens Scholar Award from the Oncology Care Group of Siemens
Medical Systems. This program is designed to assist students, who
are ASRT members, obtain their bachelor’s or graduate degree in
radiation therapy or health sciences. The scholarship awards $3,000
directly to the college or university. It is based on a career essay
and other criteria. Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany, is
one of the largest suppliers of medical technologies in the world.
Winners of the other Foundation scholarships were previously
announced.
ASRT FOUNDATION
AWARDS GRANT AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO STUDY EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES TO
DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING
College textbooks are full of answers, but seldom hold the
custom-fitted solutions that real life demands in radiology
departments.
Successful, quality patient care often
relies on R.T.s’ abilities to adapt knowledge from the classroom and
textbooks to creatively solve problems.
This ability to synthesize information is
one aspect of critical thinking. Michelle Miller, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(M),
is searching for educational methods and programs that are most
effective in developing these skills. The ASRT Education and
Research Foundation awarded Ms. Miller a grant of more than $8,000
at the ASRT Annual Conference to pursue her research, which is also
her doctoral dissertation. She is pursing her advanced degree in
educational technology at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt.
“I would say either at the technologist or
the student level, anytime we are assessing the condition of the
patient and determining how our procedure should be adjusted to
accommodate that particular patient, we are using critical
thinking,” said Ms. Miller. “Positioning, setting techniques,
patient care and communication – these are all ways we use critical
thinking to achieve the best quality care.”
“This kind of information will advance
educational standards for radiologic technology programs. Ms.
Miller’s proposal convinced the review panel not only of the
worthiness of her topic, but also her abilities as a researcher,”
said Sal Martino, Ed.D., Foundation chief operations officer.
Research proposals are reviewed without the author’s identification
by the Foundation’s research and grants advisory panel, which makes
recommendations to the board of trustees. Ms. Miller’s research
grant award was the first research project approved for the 2002
fiscal year.
Through a survey of radiography programs
around the country, Ms. Miller gathered information to determine
critical thinking instructional practices. She will compare the
information and classify how consistent it is with approaches that
researchers suggest increases the ability to think critically. Based
on the survey information, Ms. Miller chose sites for case studies
to perform in-depth analysis of course plans and curriculum.
During the site visits she administered a
standardized test that measures critical thinking skills in
students, who are near graduation. Measurements of critical thinking
include the clarity of thought, often expressed in writing and the
ability of the student to use precise language to communicate both
specific and general arguments about the topic, she explained.
The initial analysis is of programs leading
to associate degrees, the most common educational level for
radiologic technologists.
“How do instructional practices focused on critical thinking relate
to the quality of critical thinking outcomes? This study proposes to
contribute to the collective answer to that question,” Ms. Miller
wrote in her proposal.
Ms. Miller recently conducted site visits.
She said she selected schools for further study that showed the
greatest variety of activities to stimulate critical thinking. For
example, some schools ask students to write proposals for adding new
equipment or changing protocols or to devise and conduct original
experiments.
“It really takes a lot of support from the
faculty to create an environment that is safe, where students are
encouraged to ask questions and test their critical thinking skills
rather that just assimilate and repeat information,” she said.
ONLINE RESOURCE
CENTER
FEATURES TOOLS TO RECRUIT,
RETAIN RADIOLOGIC
TECHNOLOGISTS
A teen-ager in Texas is trying to decide whether to become a
radiologic technologist. A radiology department manager in Ohio is
struggling to reduce employee turnover. A radiologic technologist in
Idaho is wondering how to advance in her career.
What do they have in common? They all want
accurate data on the radiologic technology work force, reliable
information to help them make decisions, and real-world advice to
guide them along the way. And now, they all can find the answers
they need in the Recruitment and Retention Tool Kit, a new addition
to the ASRT Web site.
Available at www.asrt.org, the Tool Kit is
a collection of the latest statistics, useful tips, case studies and
how-to information on the topics of recruitment and retention. The
materials are tools that the radiology community can put to work
immediately, according to ASRT President Allen Terrell, M.S.,
R.T.(R)(MR).
“Of the many challenges facing health care
today, the shortage of radiologic technologists is certainly one of
the most critical,” said Mr. Terrell. He noted that radiologic
technologists are the scarcest of all hospital staff. According to a
recent survey by the American Hospital Association and three other
hospital groups, the vacancy rate for R.T.s averages 15.3 percent
nationwide, compared to 13 percent for registered nurses and 12.7
percent for pharmacists.
“The Recruitment and Retention Tool Kit is
an easy-to-use resource center for anyone interested in
strengthening the radiologic technology work force, including
radiology managers, hospital HR directors, radiologic science
educators, radiologists and technologists,” Mr. Terrell said.
A highlight of the Tool Kit is five
streaming video segments that describe educational options and
career opportunities in radiography, sonography, nuclear medicine
and radiation therapy. The videos introduce viewers to the field by
following a group of radiologic science students from the classroom
to the clinic. As they interact with their teachers, mentors and
patients, the students explain why they chose to become radiologic
technologists and discuss the benefits and rewards of the career.
The videos range in length from four to seven minutes.
Other information in the Tool Kit is
organized into six sections:
Material in the Recruitment Section is designed for people who are
investigating the profession as a career as well as for people who
are responsible for recruiting technologists. For those interested
in pursuing a career in radiologic sciences, the section includes an
overview of the field, an introduction to specialty practice areas
and information on educational programs. For radiologic science
educators and employers, the Recruitment Section offers documents
describing how to set up a scholarship program, how to become a
clinical site and how to implement a successful recruitment program.
The Retention Section is designed for
radiology managers who want to improve employee satisfaction and
decrease turnover rates. Included are employee retention tips,
information about career advancement, a job description template and
advice on how to improve communication within the interdisciplinary
team environment in radiologic technology.
The Regulations Section includes background
information about laws, regulations and standards that affect
radiologic technologists. Links to state licensing laws are
provided, as well as detailed information about the American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ continuing education
requirements.
The Resources Section connects radiologic
technologists to career-management tools, patient education
materials and work force information. It also includes a link to the
ASRT JobBank®, an online job-search service where employers can
advertise positions and R.T.s can post résumés.
The References Section features survey data
and other tactical information. It includes a comprehensive
background paper on the shortage of radiologic technologists with
up-to-date supply and demand statistics. It also includes links to
the ASRT’s 2001 wage and salary survey, results of the ASRT’s
environmental scan survey of the radiology workplace and a detailed
analysis of the demographics of the R.T. work force.
The Profiles Section features brief,
first-person profiles of successful radiologic technologists who
work in clinical settings as well as in management, education and
industry. Each technologist tells why he or she chose the field and
describes the opportunities the profession has brought them
throughout the years.
Case studies describing successful recruitment and retention
strategies are presented throughout the Tool Kit. In the case
studies, radiology department managers and educators share
innovative strategies they’ve used to attract people to the
profession and to improve employee satisfaction.
“The Tool Kit offers hundreds of pages of
advice, ideas and data that anyone can use to help design and
implement a recruitment or retention strategy,” said ASRT Chief
Executive Officer Lynn May. “It is a rich resource of information on
the profession, whether you’re looking for supply and demand data,
salary averages, career descriptions, retention strategies or
demographic information about radiologic technologists.”
-ASRT- |
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ASRT Conference
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists met June 7 - 12,
2002 in Birmingham, Alabama for their 74th Annual Conference and the
17th Meeting of the House of Delegates. The following is a
compilation of the reports presented by Mike Lewis, Kaylea
Massengill, Kelly Hartigan, Starla Mason and Linda Holden. Starla
and Linda were the appointed affiliate delegates for Wyoming, Mike
was the radiography delegate, Kaylea was the mammography delegate
and Kelly was the ultrasound delegate, all for region III
representing Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Issues – Several new issues as well as
ongoing issues were discussed during the conference in various
regional meetings, reference committee hearings, open forums,
chapter meetings and ultimately in the House of Delegates. We
strongly suggest that each and every member receiving this issue
read it carefully and discuss it with your colleagues. Many of these
things will have long term impacts on how every technologist in the
United States may be performing their job in the future. You need to
let your representatives know how you feel, whether or not you’re a
member of the ASRT.
Membership – There are now over 96,000
members of the ASRT, making us the single largest health care
organization in the world. The ASRT is adding about 6,000 new
members per year and we should pass 100,000 members this year. This
represents almost half the registered technologists in the United
States. Sadly, only 4,054 people voted in the last election and it’s
odd to think that only 4,000 people are determining the future of
our profession for a couple hundred thousand other people.
Also discussed was the possibility of a
combined dues structure to be shared by the affiliates, such as the
WSRT, and the ASRT. The suggested amount is $105 per year with $80
going to the ASRT and $35 to the affiliate. A pilot program is to be
started this year involving three affiliates yet to be named. Again,
you need to let your representatives know how you feel about this as
they are your voice. Think about it and let us know why you feel the
way you do.
Due to the increase in membership and therefore, the demands upon
the ASRT staff, the home offices will be expanding and remodeling.
The board promises that this should be quite impressive when
completed and ask that all come and visit the facilities.
Commission on Administration - Two
resolutions were passed:
Resolution 02-1.03 - Revision of ASRT
Position Statement “Infection Control Precautions for Health Care
Professionals” - Resolved, the ASRT position statement “Infection
Control Precautions for Health Care Professionals” be revised to
read: “The ASRT advocates that all radiologic science professionals
should follow standard precaution techniques for prevention of
transmissible pathogens in health care settings.”
Resolution 02-1.04 - Revision of ASRT
Position Statement “Quality Assessment and Improvement for
Radiologic Technology” - Resolved, the ASRT position statement
“Quality Assessment and Improvement for Radiologic Technology” be
retitled “Quality Assessment and Improvement for Radiologic
Sciences” and revised to read: “The ASRT recognizes that quality
assessment and improvement refers to the comprehensive system or
method of service and practice evaluation. Compliance with
established requirements and standards, whether departmental,
institutional, accredited agency or governmental/legislative, are
measurable, thus indicating a certain quality status or level.
Relevant to compliance with such standards, and when necessary,
established methods of analysis are employed with possible
corrective actions to facilitate improvement in process or clinical
functions and outcomes.”
Commission on Education - None of the
resolutions were passed, however several items of note came up. With
the increasing shortage of Radiologic Technologists, many states are
examining the use of what we term “technicians” in Wyoming. The
House is concerned whether we as technologists should take these
individuals under our wings, so to speak, in order to ensure that
these peopl are at least adequately trained in their specific areas
and perhaps afford some future protection with our profession, or
should we dismiss the idea entirely and refuse to condone something
that we have fought against for years? This item was returned to the
commission for reexamination. What is the best for your patients,
your doctors and your profession? Choose wisely and let us know.
Commission on Professional Practice -
Resolution 02-3.01 - Supervising and
Training of Unlicensed or Uncertified Individuals by Radiologic
Technologists - Resolved, the ASRT adopt the position statement
“Supervising and Training Responsibilities for Radiologic
Technologists” that reads: “Radiologic technologists should not be
required to supervise and/or educate any unlicensed or uncertified
individuals in the delivery of medical imaging examinations or
radiation therapy procedures unless they are enrolled in an
educational program in the radiologic sciences accredited by a
mechanism recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists (ARRT) or equivalent.” Again, this showed the need for
more imaging people due to the shortage. The language of this does
not suggest that technologists can’t fill these rolls in training
and education if they desire to do so.
Resolution 02-3.02 - Revision of ASRT
Position Statement “Fluoroscopy by Radiologic Technologists” -
Resolved, the ASRT position statement “Fluoroscopy by Radiologic
Technologists” be revised to read: “The ASRT recognizes that the
performance of all fluoroscopy, to include but not limited to static
and dynamic procedures, is within the scope of practice of
radiologic technologists with the appropriate clinical and didactic
education where state and/or institutional policy permits.” This
clearly shows that the profession is moving forward with support for
an expanding role for technologists.
Resolution 02-3.04- ASRT Position Statement
on Pregnant Technologists and the MR Environment - Resolved, the
ASRT adopt the position statement “Pregnant Technologists and the MR
Environment” that reads: “Current data suggest that it is safe for
pregnant technologists to enter the MR environment for patient care
duties. However, due to limited knowledge of the effects of gradient
magnetic/RF fields, the pregnant technologist should NOT enter the
MR environment while scanning is in progress.”
Resolution 02-3.06 - ASRT Position
Statement on Multiloading of Film Cassettes - Resolved, the ASRT
adopt the position statement “ASRT Position Statement on
Multiloading of Film Cassettes” that reads: “The multiloading of
film cassettes to produce a copy of a radiograph will decrease image
quality due to contrast loss and will increase patient exposure. The
suboptimal image quality may lead to a misdiagnosis and the
increased exposure is inconsistent with an ALARA program.
Multiloading of film cassettes to provide a copy of a radiograph is
not a recommended practice.” This is something that has routinely
come up in institutions across the United States and after some
discussion, it was resolved overwhelmingly that this practice should
not be condoned and does not fit within acceptable ALARA practices.
Resolution 02-3.07 - ASRT Position
Statement on Radiologic Technologists Performing Bone Densitometry -
Resolved, the ASRT adopt the position statement “ASRT Position
Statement on Bone Densitometry” that reads: “Bone densitometry is a
scope of practice for the radiologic technologist. Bone
densitometrist describes the radiologic technologist credentialed in
bone densitometry.”
Resolution 02-3.08 - Full-body CT Screening
on Asymptomatic Individuals - The ASRT recommends caution regarding
the use of full-body CT screening for healthy clients with no
symptoms or risk factors. The performance of condition-specific CT
screening should be based on clinical evidence and endorsed by
experts in radiation safety and radiologic diagnosis. Further
information is needed to evaluate the efficacy, benefits and risks
of full-body CT screening. The ASRT does not support the new
generation of full body CT health “screenings” taking place in
several areas of the United States.
Bylaws -
The House granted retired members the right
to vote but they will not have the right to hold office or serve as
a delegate.
Write-in votes are no longer permitted on
the ballots.
It was defined that the speaker and
vice-speaker are elected.
Students - Richard Fucillo, Speaker of the
House of Delegates began a new intern program for students attending
the ASRT conference. Alabama radiography students were allowed to
attend the House of Delegates and actively participate. We applaud
the ASRT in involving our future student leaders.
CARE Bill - We now have 52 sponsors of the
national CARE bill in Washington which will enforce minimal
standards of education and practice for Radiologic Technologists
nationwide. Regretfully, our representative Barbara Cubin, who sits
on the committee reviewing this bill, refuses to come on-board thus
far. We can only say that we hope she eventually understands the
importance of this bill for not only the people of Wyoming but for
all citizens nationwide. We strongly encourage you to contact her,
as well as your family and friends and try to explain the magnitude
of this issue to her and how other states without enforceable
standards are beginning to ask for help to raise their own standards
or care and education. Don’t forget, less than two years ago our own
state laws were nearly jeopardized.
ASRT Restructuring - probably the hottest
topic discussed at the conference. Basically, the House is looking
at streamlining operations and our own House by limiting the number
of affiliate delegates to one per affiliate instead of two, and then
limiting the number of chapter delegates to two per chapter instead
of nine. Many of the
Midwestern states are concerned that this will severely curtail our
representation in the ASRT down the road as chapter delegates are
likely to be elected from areas with strong population bases. The
committee recommended appointment of the nominations committee by
the Board of Directors, who in turn would select the candidates for
each office. This process is suspect to many of us, however Kelly
Thomall, the chair of the restructuring committee pointed out that
last year, when they asked for feedback, they only received five (5)
responses nationwide. If you are at all concerned with how you will
be represented in the future, we encourage you to find out more
information and contact Kelly directly. You can reach her at:
Kelly Thomalla
3631 Sugarberry Road
North Platte, NE 69101-4735
308-534-4143
kjthomalla@yahoo.com
You absolutely must know that the future of YOUR profession depends
on your representation through the WSRT delegates and the ASRT
chapter delegates. They are the ones who will cast the votes at next
year’s conference on these issues so it is essential that you stand
up and voice your opinions right NOW!
Radiology Assistant Program - The ASRT
Board and the American College of Radiology are expressing support
for a new Radiology Assistant’s program where RT’s may obtain
additional training and take a more direct and involved role in
patient procedures and diagnosis. Currently, the Radiology
Physician’s Assistant program is offered through Weber State and it
is hoped that this and other programs like it will meld to the RA
program. What do you think? Should RT’s be allowed to progress to
this type of level or will it hurt the profession in the long run?
Linda Holden Elected as ASRT Vice-Speaker
of the House of Delegates - In an exciting election in the House of
Delegates, our very own Linda Holden of Cheyenne was elected as
vice-speaker of the House for the coming year. We are very excited
for her and the opportunities that this may offer for the
technologists of Wyoming and region III. Way to go Linda!!!
Mammography Chapter - In New York there is
a Correlative Physical Breast Assessment program offered by the
American Cancer Society and Penny Lynch asked for support if she
pursued the curriculum to bring it before the chapter. Penny was
able to locate the curriculum and presented it to the delegates at
this meeting. It is the intent to provide this information as an
advanced skill to mammographers in the form of the curriculum
(didactic) and clinical experience with a certificate. Of the 25 in
attendance, 19 said that they would attend this course.
Ultrasound Chapter - The issue of who
should be allowed to perform breast ultrasounds came up during the
chapter meeting. Apparently, an increasing number of mammographers
are showing interest in doing breast ultrasounds. The consensus of
the members present at the meeting was that we would not have a
problem with this as long as they have taken the Breast Ultrasound
Registry which includes a separate test of physics. This would
ensure that mammographers who are certified in breast ultrasound are
competent trained.
Region III Chapter Delegates - Mike Lewis
is stepping down after four years as the radiography delegate for
region III and Starla Mason will be taking over. Additionally,
Starla was elected as the vice-chairman of the radiography chapter
and should step up to the chair next year. Kelly Hartigan will
continue in her role as the ultrasound delegate from our region and
was also elected as vice-chair for her chapter. It was suggested
that Kaylea Massengill continue on as the mammography delegate for
the next two years and this is pending approval from the five
affiliate chapters.
Laurie Weaver of Casper is the education
delegate for the next two years and Linda Holden was elected as the
quality management delegate. However, because of being elected
vice-speaker she will need to step down as a delegate which will
leave this open unless we can find someone else to take her place.
There are also openings for the Bone Densitometry, the MRI and the
nuclear medicine delegates for Region III. If you are interested in
coming along next year, please let us know and we’ll set you right
up and provide all the help you will need.
Next Year’s Conference - Speaking of such,
next year’s conference will be held in fabulous Las Vegas from June
14 – 18, 2002!! You don’t want to miss this one.
Linda Holden - Vice
Speaker of the
ASRT House of Delegates
Since June 12, 2002, I have been in a bit of a dream. Winning the
election to become the 2002/2003 ASRT Vice-Speaker of the House was
such a wonder and surprise that I am still a bit overwhelmed. It is
such an honor to win, and I was there as an affiliate delegate from
Wyoming which made the representation even a bit more special than
had I been a regional delegate.
As vice speaker I will be expected to help
find members for the commissions, by-laws, and reference committees
and then attend the commissions in Feb. All resolutions come to the
house through the vice speaker and then are sent to the proper
commission and reference committee.
The vice speaker represents the ASRT at
other associational meetings and affiliate meetings but those
assignments have not been made as I am the new man on the team. I
look forward to going to other affiliates and talking and
representing our professional association. Even though I am of
course representing ASRT, I will always be a representative of
Wyoming no matter where or when I go.
One of the main reasons that I am the new
vice speaker is the Wyoming affiliate allowed me to represent this
states' radiographers and continued to support me in ever endeavor
that I have been a part of and for that I will always be extremely
grateful. Wyoming radiographers are a wonderful bunch of folks who
really are my "other" family.
This new change in leadership will affect
Region III somewhat, because the region will now have to choose a
new quality management delegate for 2003, 2004 since I held that
position and will not be able to fulfill that commitment.
So everyone who is interested in having
that position in the House of Delegate should let the ASRT know so
that a new delegate can be chosen in a timely manner and that Region
III will have the proper representation next year in Las Vegas.
My position as vice speaker should not
affect my membership in the WSRT. I will continue to support and
work for my home affiliate as I can. Naturally, I may have to limit
myself until my term is completed, but I will be available as much
as possible.
T hank you, WSRT for your
support and allowing me to get to this position in my professional
life. I thank each and every one of you.
Lkh
WSRT - A Club,
Society, Organization?
Why Bother?
This has been a rather interesting year for the WSRT. Unfortunately,
we have seen a decline in membership and involvement so I’d like to
indulge you for just a few moments to read this editorial and
consider some of the items I’d like to suggest to you as
professional radiographers and potential members of this
organization.
Let me start by asking you, “What is the
Wyoming Society of Radiologic Technologists?” I’ve heard it
described as a “club” more often than anything else. Well, the truth
is, among many other things that it is, it is a club. A “club” is
defined as a “group of people organized for a common purpose,
especially a group that meets regularly”. Yes, we do that.
A “club” also implies that the people
belonging to it like to get together to socialize and have fun.
Well, okay. We like to get together once a year, socialize and have
fun. So yes, in some sense we may be considered a club of sorts.
However, the Wyoming Society of Radiologic
Technologists is much more than that and its existence remains for
much more important reasons than being simply a club. The Wyoming
Society of Radiologic Technologists is the only professional
organization of Radiologic Technologists in the State of Wyoming. We
are recognized as the professional voice of Radiologic Technologists
from all over the state of Wyoming not only by the government but by
the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the single largest
organization of health care professionals in the world.
So what does it mean to be a member? It
means having a voice in not only the local issues, but the national
issues that arise. It means that when someone wants to take your job
away and give it to someone else with little or no training, YOU
have a means of standing up and stopping it. It means that when the
federal government is telling you that you are STILL considered
“manual” labor by the US Department of Labor, you have a way to
stand up and demand to be recognized as a medical “professional”,
alongside other professionals such as nurses and pharmacists.
Over the course of my fifteen years of
involvement in radiology, I’ve been told a number of times by
colleagues that being a member of a radiologic society is silly and
useless, and that they are quite comfortable just going to work
everyday and getting their paycheck and they have no doubts that
will be the way it is until they retire.
I have two responses; “Don’t be so sure” and “If that’s what you
really believe, you clearly have no idea of what’s happening in the
industry right now.” Let me explain.
This appears to be a pretty good era for
radiologic technologists. Gosh, it seems that everyone is quitting
their jobs and moving somewhere else for huge sign-on bonuses, large
increases in pay, sometimes better hours and less stress. The
temporary tech companies are ecstatic because hospitals and clinics
are being forced to pay large amounts of money for them, just to
keep their own departments minimally staffed. Yep, life’s pretty
good right now……. or is it?
I’m here to tell you that things are about
to change, BIG TIME and a lot sooner than you think. Consider this -
school recruitment for student technologists has increased slightly
this year, but I believe that this is a result of proactive
recruitment techniques being used, but in no way will make up for
current trends in demands for future technologists. The demand, as
it is now, will stay way ahead of the supply.
The health care industry must have imaging
personnel, no matter what. This means one of two things must happen.
Either the standards will have to be lowered, therefore allowing
much less trained and qualified people to take x-rays, in turn to
attract people willing to work for much less in pay than current
technologists, OR standards can be raised, inducing appropriate pay
standards which in turn will lure more highly skilled and competent
people to train and work as technologists. Now which option do you
think most hospitals and clinics will opt for?
I’d like to believe that given a choice,
they will pay the optimal pay for well qualified people, but
frankly, they don’t have much of a choice right now. The number of
well qualified and competent technologists has been declining for
the last eleven years and I see a trend where health care providers
will start pushing for lower standards in order to find new people.
If and when that happens, those
technologists that feel things are pretty cushy and comfortable
right now may find themselves looking for new jobs for much less
than they feel they are worth. Why? Well, why pay someone $20 per
hour when you can hire three people to do the same job? If nothing
else, remember this - your own worth is only determined by what
someone else is willing to pay for you to work for them, not by what
you think you’re worth.
As technologists, the choice is yours. You
either need to increase your own value to the industry by raising
your standards to that of a “professional” and realize the benefits
and protection by law of being such, or remain as you are and bet
that I’m wrong. I promise you that I’m not.
Both the Wyoming Society of Radiologic
Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists
currently have philosophies of increasing standards of practice of
technologists to protect the profession in the future. However, this
represents the common views of each organization’s memberships -
people just like you and not some other omnipresent entity that is
above everyone else. Each society is run by its own membership and
that membership dictates the philosophy of the organization. In
short, the society is of the technologists, by the technologists and
for the technologists, even if it sounds a bit corny. Trust me; the
issue is anything but corny.
Please renew your memberships to the WSRT
and the ASRT. While the ASRT has continued to grow, many state
societies are losing memberships and quite simply, without the
states, the ASRT will be harmed. The ASRT, in fact, is instituting a
pilot program in several states for joint memberships in both
societies because they and we understand the importance of this
organization overall at the grassroots level.
Please encourage other to read the Cathode
and join this year. We are trying new and different ways of
increasing memberships. Starla has done an outstanding job in
organizing a quite special conference in Jackson and bringing in
well known speakers such as Stewart Bushong and Phil Ballinger.
Quite simply, we want people involved who
don’t just care about their own jobs, but care about their own
profession, their colleagues and their careers. We need you now,
while the national CARE bill is growing in strength with new
sponsors being added almost weekly. Waiting until you’re being paid
a third of what you are now with little or no benefits, will be too
late to support the society or become involved.
Relay For Life
The WSRT sponsored a team for the Relay for Life which took place
June 15th and 16th at Okie Blanchard in Cheyenne. The theme for this
year’s event was United We Stand. In conjunction with this, the WSRT
team dressed as the signers of the Declaration of Independence and
feasted on Colonial type food. A copy of the Constitution was used
as the baton to be handed off between walkers during the 24 hour
event. During the relay, the WSRT team also took part in various
competitions and took 2nd place in the tug-a-war, made it to the
semifinals in volleyball and came away with a 3rd place award for
having the best baton.
As a team, the WSRT raised $1202.00 and as
a whole the relay raised over $173,000 for the American Cancer
Society. This year’s WSRT team was comprised of Kelly Hartigan,
Shelly Breazealle, Starla Mason, Linda Holden, Mike Lewis, Susan
Lewis, Glenn Janezich, Cathy Reichert-Boone, Jerrod Herstein, Angela
Weiss, Michelle Epler, Amy Epler, Dottie Whalen, Traci Stowe, Shelly
Malone, MiChelle McGee, Christy Steen and Nikki Schieferstein
The WSRT would like to have an even better
team next year. If you are interested in having fun and raising
money for a great cause, please contact Kelly Hartigan at 632-2424
or hartigankel@yahoo.com.
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