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JRCERT Update

Accreditation Resources: Help Is Available

JRCERT Board of Directors. These resources are avail- accreditation process, the JRCERT accreditation
able online at http://jrcert.org/programs-faculty. Standards, and methods for preparing and submitting
A chart explaining the accreditation process and a self-study or interim report. Upcoming seminar and
accreditation cycle also is available on the JRCERT workshop registration information can be found on the
Web site, along with numerous resources regarding JRCERT Web site at http://jrcert.org/calendar.
assessment. Video modules are available on the topics of
outcomes assessment, student-centered goals, student Conclusion
learning outcomes, and developing and evaluating a Through a process of continuous self-evaluation,
mission statement. These modules, which were pro- your program can benefit by achieving the following
duced in collaboration with the American Society of objectives:
Radiologic Technologists, can answer many questions  Well-articulated educational goals that communi-
that might arise while preparing your accreditation cate your program’s vision for the future.
documents.  A documented process that helps maintain conti-
An extensive list of assessment resources compiled by nuity through times of transition, such as changes
the JRCERT—including Web sites, books, videos, and in program officials or budget.
podcasts—is available online at http://jrcert.org/sites  A process that engages faculty, administration,
/jrcert/uploads/documents/Assessment_Resources.pdf. students, and community members in improving
A recent Radiologic Technology JRCERT Update column program quality.
also offered information available outside of the JRCERT  An increased ability to provide answers to ques-
for learning about best practices in assessment. 2 tions about program quality and value that are
asked by institutional administrators and pro-
Workshops spective students and their parents, as well as
The JRCERT offers many learning opportuni- accreditors and the community at large.
ties in the form of workshops. Outcomes assessment The resources discussed in this article should assist
workshops and accreditation seminars both are you in this evaluation process. And remember, the focus
offered throughout the year, usually preceding a state is on excellence in education.
or national conference such as the annual confer-
ences held by the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists or the Association of Educators in Debra J Poelhuis, MS, R.T.(R)(M), has served as
Imaging and Radiologic Sciences. These workshops program director for Montgomery County Community
and seminars also are offered in Chicago at the College in Pennsylvania since the radiography program’s
JRCERT office. inception in 2003. She has worked in radiography education
The outcomes assessment workshop covers “the for 34 years, 24 of those as a program director. She has
general theoretical background relative to outcomes clinical experience in computed tomography, mammography,
assessment” and includes “activities to facilitate the forensic radiography, trauma radiography, and
design of an outcomes assessment plan.” Participants
3
have the opportunity to work directly with JRCERT interventional radiography. She has presented professionally
staff in developing or updating their outcomes assess- at the local, state, and national levels and has coauthored
ment plan, and they are encouraged to bring their cur- a textbook in radiography and another in nursing. The
rent assessment plan and tools or rubrics referenced in Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists granted her
that plan. the Distinguished Service Award when she was president in
The accreditation seminar is appropriate for pro- 1992, Technologist of the Year in 1986, and Life Membership
gram officials and others who participate in the accred- in 1997.
itation process and is particularly helpful for those who Poelhuis has served 5 years on the JRCERT Board of
are preparing a self-study report. Participation in the Directors and is currently chair of the Board. She can be
seminar facilitates an understanding of the JRCERT contacted at dpoelhui@mc3.edu.

88 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, September/October 2014, Volume 86, Number 1
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.