ARRT, ASRT COLLABORATE TO OFFER ONLINE EDUCATION IN DIGITAL IMAGING

11/11/2008

ARRT, ASRT COLLABORATE TO OFFER

ONLINE EDUCATION IN DIGITAL IMAGING

As medical imaging marches relentlessly toward its filmless future, radiologic technologists have sometimes found it challenging to keep pace. But thanks to a new online educational program sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, R.T.s just got a big jump in the race toward an all-digital imaging environment.

 ODIA, the Online Digital Imaging Academy, debuted in October as a wide-ranging course designed to give registered radiologic technologists and radiologic science students a solid understanding of the technology and application behind digital imaging systems. The course was developed for the ARRT by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Education and Research Foundation.

 “We are pleased and excited to make this course available to technologists and to radiologic science students,” said ARRT President Jordan Renner, M.D., FACR. “We produced this course because we recognized that there weren’t many options for technologists who wanted to learn about digital imaging. ODIA fills an important educational need.”

 Chairman of the ASRT Foundation Board Liana Watson, D.M., R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS), RDMS, RVT, FASRT, agreed. “Most of the learning in this area occurs on the job and often focuses on the technology’s immediate application rather than on its foundations and theory. ODIA is a comprehensive course that gives technologists a solid base of understanding and knowledge.”

 ODIA is comprised of 11 modules presented in an online environment. The course includes videos, narration and interactive scenarios. “In designing this course, we really took advantage of the online delivery method,” said ASRT Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Sal Martino, Ed.D., R.T.(R), FASRT. “The online environment allows participants to customize the learning experience, advance at their own pace and take as much time as they need to learn the material.”

 Modules cover many practical aspects of digital imaging for technologists, including image capture, display, processing and analysis; picture archiving and communication systems; patient exposure and radiation safety; and quality assurance.

 The course is self-paced. Participants who complete all 11 modules and successfully pass the accompanying quizzes will earn 15 Category A continuing education credits and earn an ODIA diploma. CE credits may also be earned and reported module by module; each is approved for between 1 and 2 credits. The diploma does not carry additional credit. Participants are not required to complete the entire course; they may start with any module of interest and complete as many individual modules as they wish.

 ODIA is provided free to technologists certified and registered by the ARRT and to students enrolled in radiologic science programs. The ASRT will automatically track and transfer CE credits for ODIA participants who are ASRT members. Others will report their credits directly to ARRT.

 ODIA is accessible via either the ARRT Web site at www.arrt.org, the ASRT Web site at www.asrt.org or the ASRT Foundation Web site at www.asrtfoundation.org. Upon entering the course for the first time, participants will be required to register using their ARRT identification number. Radiologic science students who do not yet have an ARRT identification number will be able to use ODIA after their program directors have enrolled them in the course at the ARRT Web site. Upon enrollment, students will receive an ARRT-assigned number that allows them to create an ODIA account.

  “The growth of digital imaging is one of the most significant changes in our profession in recent years. ODIA will give technologists an important advantage in understanding this rapidly emerging technology,” said Linda Holden, M.S., R.T.(R)(QM), RDMS, FASRT, president of the ASRT Board of Directors.

 “If technologists haven’t already been affected by digital imaging, they will be soon,” added Kevin Rush, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(T), vice president of the ARRT Board of Trustees. “For radiologic technologists, this course is a bridge from the analog world to the world of digital imaging systems.”

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About ASRT

The ASRT represents more than 130,000 members who perform medical imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy. The Society is the largest radiologic science association in the world. Its mission is to provide radiologic technologists with the knowledge, resources and support they need to improve patient care.

                                                                                                                                                      About ARRT

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.