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JRCERT Update

The JRCERT Accreditation Process:

A Site Visitor’s Perspective

Loraine D Zelna, MS, R.T.(R)(MR)
Bette Schans, PhD, R.T.(R), FASRT

o apply for or maintain program accreditation Having the required information on hand makes it easi-
with the Joint Review Committee on Education er to assemble the self-study. For objectives that require
in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), radiolog- supporting evidence, be sure to include appropriate
Tic science program faculty must submit a self- documentation that supports the narrative response.
study report that documents compliance with the agen- For example, if the self-study states that the program’s
cy’s Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in learning outcomes are published on the program web-
Radiography, as well as the standards for radiation thera- site and in the student handbook or assessment plan,
py, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. The these sources should state the same outcomes. Do not
1-4
JRCERT awards accreditation to programs that demon- assume that JRCERT staff or the site visitors can deter-
strate substantial compliance with the standards. After mine compliance based on the narrative responses only.
JRCERT staff reviews a program’s self-study report, site
visitors conduct a 2-day on-site evaluation to determine Preparing for the Site Visit
whether the program meets the objectives outlined in After JRCERT staff members review a program’s
the standards. Site visitors are peer professionals who self-study report, the staff reaches out to site visitors
are experienced in developing JRCERT self-study to request their participation in the site visit. Each site
reports and who have hosted site visits at their program visit team comprises a team chair and at least 1 team
locations. This article provides a site visitor’s overview member. The site visitors might be program direc-
of the JRCERT accreditation process and a typical site tors, clinical coordinators, clinical instructors, or other
visit. members of a program’s faculty. Potential site visitors
complete an initial orientation and are required to serve
The Self-study Report as apprentice site visitors on 3 site visits before achiev-
Writing a self-study report and preparing for a ing full status as a site visitor. All site visitors must
JRCERT site visit can be a stressful and daunting task attend JRCERT seminars and workshops to stay abreast
for program faculty, particularly while juggling other of standards, accreditation processes, and site visitor
program responsibilities. The report must document responsibilities.
compliance with each objective listed under the 6 stan- The site’s program director and the site visit team
dards, and supporting documentation is required for agree on a date for the site visit, and travel and hotel
most of the objectives. Collecting information and doc- arrangements are confirmed. The composition of the
umentation for the report should be an ongoing process. site visit team is reviewed by the program and site-visit

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, January/February 2017, Volume 88, Number 3 327
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.