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JRCERT Update

Standards Revision Process:

Stakeholder Input

Stephanie Eatmon, EdD, R.T.(R)(T), FASRT

he Standards for an Accredited Educational Box
Program are the documents that guide radiogra- JRCERT Core Values 1
phy, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and The Committee:
Tmedical dosimetry programs in providing the ¡ Believes educational quality and integrity should not be
excellence in education that elevates the quality and compromised.
safety of patient care. The core values of the Joint ¡ Respects and protects the rights of students.
Review Committee on Education in Radiologic ¡ Promotes the welfare of patients.
Technology (JRCERT) serve as a basis for the stan- ¡ Encourages educational innovation.
dards (see Box). In particular, 2 of the core values— ¡ Collaborates with other organizations to advance the
encourages educational innovation and responds in a pro- profession.
active and dynamic manner to the environment in which we ¡ Exemplifies the highest ethical principles in its actions and
operate—served as the impetus for a comprehensive decisions.
review of the current standards. ¡ Responds in a proactive and dynamic manner to the
JRCERT remains steadfast in its commitment to environment in which we operate.
excellence in education through the accreditation of
radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, Obama administration executive action on higher
and medical dosimetry programs. At the spring 2015 education accreditation, and increasing student loan
JRCERT board meeting, the directors voted to open debt have led to a growing awareness of accreditation
the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program organizations and the expectation that schools should
to a comprehensive revision. Although the standards be graduating students with the knowledge and skills
were revised in 2014, and JRCERT standards typically needed for success. Throughout the revision process,
2,3
undergo revisions every 10 years, the directors voted the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization will
for an early revision based on numerous interpreta- be considered and might affect the revision timeline.
tions throughout the documents and the lack of clarity During this revision process, it is important for the
in Standard 5: Assessment. The JRCERT board of JRCERT to explore many strategic initiatives and gather
directors periodically issues interpretations to specific input from all communities of interest. JRCERT staff
objectives within the standards to help clarify the intent have developed multiple thought-provoking surveys for
of the objective. In addition, the political environment all stakeholders, including program directors, clinical
after the collapse of Corinthian Colleges, planned coordinators, faculty, clinical instructors, professional

74 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, September/October 2016, Volume 88, Number 1
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.