ARRT Certification for RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS

Transcription

1 ARRT Certification for RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Promoting High Standards of Patient Care by Recognizing Qualified Individuals in Medical Imaging, Interventional Procedures, and Radiation Therapy Additional detail and references are available on the Registered Radiologist Assistant section of or by phoning (651) , ext

2 This booklet provides an overview of ARRT s radiologist assistant certification program. For detailed and updated information, consult the Registered Radiologist Assistant section of or phone ARRT at (651) , ext Copyright 2009 by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted for any purpose without the written consent of the ARRT.

3 ARRT CERTIFICATION for RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS BACKGROUND Genesis of Radiologist Assistant Certification Program...4 Development Built on ARRT Equation for Excellence...4 DEFINING THE RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANT Role Relative to Physician...5 Radiology Background...5 Entry-Level Clinical Activities...5 Designation Awarded...6 State Licensing...6 Reimbursement...6 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Education Program Completion...7 Program Recognition...7 Alternative Pathway for RPAs...7 Degree Requirement...8 Supporting Category Requirements...8 Didactic Competence Requirements...8 Clinical Education Requirements...8 Ethics...8 Examination Content Specifications...9 Examination Format...9 Administration Schedule...9 Re-Examination...9 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Application Packet...10 Candidate Status Report...10 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS Annual Application for Renewal of Registration...11 Two-Year Cycle for Continuing Education Requirements Year Time Limited Certificates...11

4 BACKGROUND Genesis of Radiologist Assistant Certification Program Through collaborative efforts of key organizations and stakeholders, ARRT transformed the concept of a radiologist extender into reality. In 2002, The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) convened a panel including representatives from the American College of Radiology (ACR), ARRT, and state licensing agencies, as well as educators and Radiology Practitioner Assistants (RPAs). That panel produced a consensus document proposing the R.R.A. s title and definition and addressing educational preparation, roles and responsibilities, levels of supervision, and regulatory issues. Building on the panel s concept and consensus, ARRT established an advisory committee to develop certification standards. The eight-member committee included RPAs and educators involved in radiologist assistant programs, all of whom are Registered Technologists; radiologists identified by ACR; a health physicist; and ARRT Board and staff representatives. Development Built on Equation for Excellence Like ARRT s other certification programs, the radiologist assistant program incorporates the education, ethics, and exam standards that add up to ARRT s Equation for Excellence. Education ARRT s standards were designed to address the didactic and clinical components of radiologist assistant education as well as prerequisites such as ARRT certification and registration in radiography. ASRT s radiologist assistant curriculum served as input for developing didactic competencies for certification. Clinical education is provided through a preceptorship with a radiologist serving as the student s mentor. Ethics ARRT s Standards of Ethics, originally designed for the R.T. s scope of practice, required only slight modification to address the responsibilities of Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A.s). 4

5 Examination ARRT s advisory committee drafted standards for assessing the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the evolving new role. The traditional job analysis procedure of surveying job incumbents to identify responsibilities wasn t initially possible for the radiologist assistant, which was developed by consensus as opposed to observation. Exam development then followed ARRT s standard model: compiling content specifications and weighing the relative importance of each content category, having ARRT-trained consultants write test questions, assembling test forms, and identifying a passing standard. DEFINING THE RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANT R.R.A. Role Relative to Physician Between traditional radiologist, radiographer roles. Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A.s) are physician extenders who work under radiologist supervision to perform selected imaging and patient-care duties traditionally performed by the radiologist. R.R.A.s neither prescribe nor diagnose. Radiology Background Focused on medical imaging and radiation protection. R.R.A.s have extensive education and experience in radiation protection, patient care related to imaging, and performance of imaging procedures through both their radiography and R.R.A. educational programs. Entry-Level Clinical Activities 2005 role delineation updated in 2009 based on survey of radiologist extenders and radiologists. ARRT s certification requirements are periodically updated to incorporate changing practice patterns and expectations. The Entry-Level Clinical Activities (ELCA) document reflects changes resulting from the most recent job analysis. The document is accessible from the website under Registered Radiologist Assistant. 5

6 While a radiologist assistant may perform additional procedures beyond those on the ELCA, the document details those that ARRT certification covers. The ELCA includes various radiologic examinations such as UGIs, barium enema studies, and arthrograms. It also includes a number of patient care and management activities such as physical examinations and obtaining informed consent. Designation Awarded R.T.s who meet all certification and registration requirements add R.R.A. to their list of credentials. The designation for ARRT s radiologist assistant certification appears in an individual s credentials as R.R.A.(ARRT), indicating that the person is a Registered Radiologist Assistant. Those who earn the R.R.A. should include their R.T. credential, too: R.R.A., R.T.(R)(ARRT). State Licensing Administration of licensing laws differs from state to state. R.R.A.s work throughout the U.S., with the majority of states having clear laws recognizing and requiring R.R.A. certification through ARRT. Licensing requirements should be confirmed with the individual state. The up-to-date status of state licensing for radiologist extenders can be found on the ASRT website ( / Radiologist Assistant / Practice Issues / State Licensure Laws). Reimbursement ARRT at work to ensure recognition. R.R.A.s may not bill independently for services performed. The billing entity (i.e., employing radiology practice or hospital) should consult the payer s requirements to verify reimbursement eligibility. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has asked for input from the healthcare community on how it might adjust physician 6

7 supervision levels for R.R.A.-performed procedures to most appropriately meet current needs of patients and providers. In response, ARRT, ACR, and ASRT submitted a joint letter describing the R.R.A. and suggesting supervision levels that allow for reimbursement in a way that improves access to quality patient care. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Education ARRT requirements promote the thorough educational preparation of radiologist assistant candidates. See the Registered Radiologist Assistant page at for detailed information on the following topics. Program Completion Candidates must have within the preceding five years successfully completed a radiologist assistant educational program recognized by ARRT. A list of ARRT-recognized programs appears on the Registered Radiologist Assistant page at Program Recognition To be recognized by ARRT, radiologist assistant educational programs must be offered through post-secondary institutions accredited by an ARRT-recognized institutional accreditor. Programs must also meet one of the following two requirements: be accredited by a specialized (programmatic) accreditor approved by ARRT for radiologist assistant programs; or document compliance with additional ARRT requirements. Alternative Eligibility Pathway for RPAs ARRT established a temporary eligibility pathway that gives RPAs some flexibility in meeting the educational requirement. The pathway expires December 31, The last exam administration under this pathway is scheduled for December 22, 2011, and the postmarking deadline for applications is October 27, Candidates for the RPA pathway must have earned a baccalaureate degree (as described in the next paragraph) prior to applying, and must have met one of the following requirements by December 31, 2007: either graduated from an RPA educational program or earned and continued to hold CBRPA certification. 7

8 Degree Requirement Candidates must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution. The degree does not necessarily have to have been awarded by the radiologist assistant educational program. Supporting Category Requirements Candidates must be certified and registered in radiography by the ARRT in order to be eligible for radiologist assistant certification, and they must maintain radiography registration in order to be eligible for continued R.R.A. registration. Didactic Competence Requirements Candidates must successfully complete coursework addressing the topics listed in the ARRT Content Specifications for the Registered Radiologist Assistant Examination. These topics should be covered as part of a nationally recognized curriculum such as that published by ASRT. Clinical Education Requirements Candidates must complete a preceptorship, similar to a physician s residency. In this case a radiologist mentors the candidate and oversees his or her clinical education. During that time, the candidate completes a required number of cases from among several mandatory and elective procedures. Candidates document the clinical procedures in a portfolio that also includes professional activities and accomplishments, case studies, and evaluations. Details on the requirements are included in the certification application packet at Ethics Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A.s) are subject to the same stringent ethics requirements as all of ARRT s registrants. Registered Radiologist Assistants and candidates for ARRT s radiologist assistant certification remain accountable to the same ethics requirements that apply to them as Registered Technologists. Those standards ensure that the individuals are persons of good moral character who have neither engaged in nor permitted unethical conduct. The ARRT Standards of Ethics are available online at 8

9 Examination ARRT s radiologist assistant exam ensures that candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities required in practice. Content Specifications The exam measures candidates command of knowledge in six major subject areas drawn from the entry-level clinical activities: Patient Communication, Assessment, and Management; Drugs and Contrast Materials; Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology; Radiologic Procedures; Radiation Safety, Radiation Biology, Fluoroscopic Operation; and Medical/Legal, Professional, and Governmental Standards. The content specifications appear in their entirety on the Registered Radiologist Assistant page at Examination Format The radiologist assistant exam is a varied-format testing event, incorporating multiple-choice and essay questions. Candidates are permitted six and one-half hours to complete the exam process, which is presented at Pearson VUE test centers. Administration Schedule The exam is offered three times a year, typically the second Thursdays of January, June, and September. Re-Examination Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass the examination within the three-year period that begins when the candidate s application is accepted (i.e., the candidate has met education and ethics requirements). One additional attempt may be permitted if the individual submits documentation of acceptable remedial activities. Individuals failing this fourth attempt or not completing it within one year will be deemed no longer eligible and may regain eligibility only by re-enrolling in an educational program and completing didactic and clinical requirements. Additional detail and references are available on the Registered Radiologist Assistant section of or by phoning (651) , ext

10 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Application Packet Unlike ARRT s larger-scale certification programs, the radiologist assistant certification application process involves requesting an application packet. Individuals wishing to apply for radiologist assistant certification must obtain an application packet from ARRT. Packets are available at for downloading and printing, or you may request one by phoning the ARRT office at (651) , ext In addition to the application for certification, the packet includes the didactic and clinical portfolio requirements, a collection of forms that must be completed as part of the application process. The application packet also specifies fees and postmarking deadlines. Candidate Status Report After receiving, reviewing, and approving a candidate s application packet, ARRT issues a Candidate Status Report to verify the exam appointment and detail the important information the candidate will need at the test center. Once applications have been accepted, candidates will receive a Candidate Status Report (CSR) from ARRT. The CSR details all of the information they will need at the test center and explains what will happen after they complete the test, regarding score reporting and certification status. FOR MORE INFORMATION Looking for additional information on ARRT s Radiologist Assistant certification program? Go online! Major documentation of, and updates on, the radiologist assistant certification program can be found on the Registered Radiologist Assistant page at Additional information is also available during business hours (Central Time) by phoning ARRT at (651) , ext

11 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS Annual Application for Renewal of Registration R.R.A.s, like all ARRT registrants, must renew registration each year. Earning the radiologist assistant certificate is one thing. Keeping it in effect is another requiring annual renewal of registration. Individuals are alerted by ARRT when their registration requires renewal, which may be filed online or by mail. After 10 years have passed, R.R.A.s will be required to meet additional requirements to retain registration. See Time-Limited Certification below. Two-Year Cycle for Continuing Education Requirements CE is an integral part of ARRT s emphasis on education as an essential tool for delivering quality care. ARRT requires R.R.A.s to obtain 50 CE credits within a biennium. At least 70% of the credits must be discipline- or specialty-specific to the individual s area of practice, and at least half of the credits must be earned through activities intended for the physician extender or physician. CE requirements for R.R.A.s are integrated into the requirements needed to maintain the R.T. designation. That is, qualifying CE credits may be applied to both the R.T. and R.R.A. requirements, and the biennium schedule for documenting CE is maintained. 10-Year Time Limited Certificates R.R.A.s must demonstrate ongoing qualifications each decade. Having met the education, ethics, and examination requirements for certification, R.R.A.s earn a 10-year time limited certificate. The 10 years begin with the individual s next birth month after passing the exam. The first R.R.A. certificates will expire in The ARRT Board of Trustees is determining the specific requirements as this booklet is published. Details will be announced in early 2010 at and in the 2010 ARRT Annual Report to Registered Technologists. 11

12 The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists 1255 Northland Drive St. Paul MN Phone (651) Additional detail and references are available on the Registered Radiologist Assistant section of or by phoning (651) , ext