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The CSRT Newsline
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Newsline - January 2008, Volume 12 Issue 1
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News Links
Annual CSRT College Bowl
The annual CSRT College Bowl was hosted by Gateway Community College on April 9th. Five teams competed in this years competition including Danbury Hospital, Gateway Community College, Hartford Hospital, Middlesex Community College and Stamford Hospital.
Teams competed in single elimination rounds with a multiple choice question format. The championship was between Hartford Hospital and Gateway Community College.
Please join us in congratulating the winner of this year’s college bowl; Gateway Community College. The students received a $350 award, a plaque and ownership of the bowl trophy for one year. Hartford Hospital and Stamford Hospital tied for second place; each receiving $100.
In addition, please join us in recognizing the team from Danbury Hospital whose members consisted entirely of first year radiography students. We hope to see you at next years competition.
A new addition to the college bowl this year were a series of four lectures; two lectures designed for the students and two for the technologists and educators. Each lecture was worth one category A credit for registered technologists.
The topics and presenters for the lectures included:
Best Practices in Critical Situations, Bernadette Mele;
Adventures in Forensic Imaging, Tania Blyth;
Role of the Clinical Instructor, Alicia Giaimo; and
Quality Management and Assurance, Bill Hennessy.
We would like to extend our thanks for Gateway Community College for hosting this year’s event. Also, we would like to thank Bill Hennessy for compiling the questions submitted by the educators and preparing the bowl’s questioning format.
Lastly, thank you to our moderator- Jackie DeNardis; our judges- Diane Kosenko, Diane Smith and Bill Hennessy; our timekeepers- Christina Umlauf and Bernadette Mele; our scorekeepers- Tania Blyth and Diane Smith and our Sargent-at-Arms- Jo Picone for assisting with the event.
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Radiologist Assistant
In a fluctuating radiology environment of increased patient demand and
shortages of radiologic technologists, it may be time for the radiology
workplace to introduce a new type of radiologic technologist, a person
whose advanced clinical skills can extend the role of the radiologist.
Toward that end, the ASRT Education and Research Foundation has
approved funds to facilitate the development of radiologist assistant
educational programs at a minimum baccalaureate level to ensure there will
be educational programs in place to teach the baccalaureate-level
curriculum.
For more information, click the PDF links below.
The
Radiologist Assistant: Improving Patient Care While Providing Work Force
Solutions
New
Program Development Grant for Radiologist Assistant Programs
ACR
Supports Concept of a Radiologist Assistant
The
Radiologist Assistant: An Advanced Clinical Role for the Radiologic
Technologist
Common Credentialing Program
On September 11, 2006, the state of Connecticut
initiated a program entitled "The Emergency Common Credentialing
Program". The Department of Public Health maintains a data base list
of health care workers who have volunteered to be called upon in the event
of a state disaster. This list would only be accessed if the Governor
issues a State of Emergency. If you need more information about this
program and / or would like to volunteer, please go to the website: www.ct-esar-vhp.org.
The CSRT has worked on the committee to assist them with the radiology
aspect of the program.
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Calendar of Events
September 12 & 13, 2008 -
CSRT Annual Conference - Courtyard Marriott,
Cromwell, Ct
Further information will be provided at a later date
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If your hospital would like to host an educational
meeting offering CEUs, please contact us and we will help with the
organization of the lecture. We would like to have meetings in different
locations in Connecticut to provide opportunities for all members to
obtain their mandatory CEUs.
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Job Postings
We can provide job postings in two ways :
- Job openings can be posted on our website: www.csrtinc.org.
The cost is $250.00 for a 60 day posting. Or you can call
1-8888-663-5700 to have it posted on our site. This is a joint effort
with RT Jobs. A free add in our next Newsline would be offered with
this option.
- You can also have your add printed in Newsline instead of on line.
We print the Newsline approximately four times per year. Contact us
for information regarding the cost.
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John Archer Award
The John Archer Award is given at the Annual Conference
every year. This year, Denise Byron was the award recipient. Denise is a
CSRT member who never says no. She has taken on the responsibility of
typing the Newsline for the past 6 years. She has also been in charge of
the College Bowl, Essay and Exhibit competition and Co-chairperson of the
Educator's Committee. Denise has not run for office but has done as much
work behind the scenes as any one of us. She truly has had a big influence
in keeping this society going. Through the years the Board of Directors
could always count on Denise to help with whatever was needed. It is with
help like this that the society can keep going. If you see her, please
congratulate her, she is most deserving of this award.
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Free Online CEUs
This year we will once again offer 2 free online CEUs
with your membership. A new code will be needed for the 2006-2207
membership year. Access to these CEUs is through our website only. We will
provide more information in the next issue of Newsline. As a reminder, it
would be a breach of the ARRT Standard of Ethics for a non-member to use
this code.
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CSRT
Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists
Affiliated with the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists
T he Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists is pleased to
announce 2 Free Online CEU's starting Oct. 1, 2005
with your new or
renewal membership. This offer is for CSRT members only. We are working
with DI Portal.com and EduMed to bring this new service to our members.
So
many times the CSRT has heard "What do I get for my membership?"
Now, not only will you be a member of your professional state
organization, you can obtain 2 credits online free!
The CSRT has provided lectures in the past at no cost to members, who
attend, and we will continue to provide these, but now you can earn 2
credits at home, at your own convenience.
The goal of the CSRT has been professional development for RT's
throughout CT. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity, fill out
the membership application that is printed on the back of this letter,
send in your dues and join CSRT.
We now have a link [here] on our
website; you will then be given a special code to obtain
your 2 credits. I hope you take advantage of this new and exciting
opportunity.
Sincerely,
Diane Kosenko RT (R ) (CT) (CV)
President
Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists
E-Mail: diane.kosenko@snet.net
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News Release From ASRT
Contact: Ceela McElveny, ASRT, 800-444-2778, Ext. 1239
Contact: Brian Perry, Rep. Pickering's Office, 202-225-5031
CONGRESSMAN CHIP PICKERING INTRODUCES BILL
TO IMPROVE QUALTY OF PATIENT CARE
Bill Would Set Standards for Those Who Perform
Radiologic Examinations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Chip Pickering, R-Miss., on March 17
introduced a bill in the House of Representatives designed to ensure that
the health professionals who perform radiologic procedures are properly
qualified.
H.R. 1426, the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (CARE) bill,
directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish
educational and credentialing standards for personnel who plan and deliver
radiation therapy and perform all types of diagnostic imaging procedures
except medical ultrasound. States would be required to meet the federal
minimum standards or risk losing federal reimbursement for radiologic
procedures.
Currently, some states allow individuals to perform radiologic
procedures without any formal education and sometimes after only a few
weeks of on-the-job training.
"The CARE bill will benefit patients by ensuring their
examinations and treatments are conducted by trained, experienced and
licensed technologists," said Rep. Pickering. "The result will
be a better diagnosis and treatment for the patient, with fewer repeat
procedures due to human error, and less exposure of radiation to
patients."
The CARE bill is bipartisan legislation, with 10 Republican and 10
Democrat original cosponsors. The bill would amend the Consumer-Patient
Radiation Health and Safety Act, a 1981 law that established minimum
standards for the education and credentialing of radiologic technologists.
Because compliance with the 1981 Act is voluntary, only 41 states fully or
partially license, regulate or register radiographers, only 30 states
license radiation therapists, and only 25 states license nuclear medicine
technologists. In states where no licensure exists, individuals are
permitted to perform radiologic procedures without any formal education.
According to Rep. Pickering, passage of the CARE bill will not only
improve the overall quality of American health care, but also reduce
health care costs. "This policy will benefit the health care industry
by reducing costs and by preventing potential liability through the use of
unlicensed technologists," he said. "Those savings will be
passed on to patients, as well as the government which reimburses through
Medicaid and Medicare."
Rep. Pickering is vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, which has jurisdiction over public health, finance,
telecommunications and energy issues. Almost half of all House legislation
comes through the Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Pickering serves on
Energy and Commerce's health subcommittee. He also is assistant majority
whip in the House of Representatives.
"Every year, seven out of 10 Americans undergo some type of
radiologic examination or procedure," said Dawn M. Fucillo, M.A.,
R.T.(R)(T)(QM), CMD, president of the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists. A leading supporter of the CARE bill, the ASRT represents
more than 116,000 medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals
nationwide. "The CARE bill will help ensure that radiologic
examinations are performed by people who are trained, qualified and
competent," said Ms. Fucillo.
In addition to the ASRT, the CARE bill is backed by the Alliance for
Quality Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, a coalition of radiologic
science organizations that represents more than 300,000 health care
professionals. It also has support from a number of patient groups and
health care organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the
American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Radiology, the
Cancer Research Foundation of America and the American College of
Radiology.
Rep. Pickering's March 17 introduction of the CARE bill marks the
fourth time the bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
It was previously introduced in 2000, 2001 and 2003.
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