Page 8 - JRCERT Pulse Newsletters
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Accreditation Tips
Radiation Energized Laboratory Access
Therapy and The explanation for Objective 2.2 explicitly states that “the sponsoring institution must provide the
Medical program with access to a fully energized laboratory. An energized laboratory on campus is
Dosimetry recommended.” However, what occurs when a program with access to an energized laboratory
actively chooses not to utilize it for student learning purposes in any capacity? Would the program be
Curricula demonstrating compliance for having access, or would this constitute as a citation?
While the program has access to an energized laboratory (as stated in Objective 2.2) the program has
At its Spring 2024 meeting, the not integrated its available resources (i.e., an energized laboratory) into its established curriculum
JRCERT Board of Directors assuring a well-structured curriculum (Objective 4.2).
adopted both the American
Society of Radiologic Objective 4.2 requirements include incorporating effective student learning opportunities through
Technologists’ (ASRT) 2024 innovative approaches offering all students a foundational knowledge in didactic and laboratory
Radiation Therapy Curriculum courses before achieving competency. A program failing to utilize its access to an energized laboratory
and the American Association cannot assure that a well-structured curriculum is occurring. Remember, students should/need to be
of Medical Dosimetrists’ able to practice radiation exposures prior to actual patients.
(AAMD) 2024 Medical
Dosimetry Educational Program This is a great example of interpreting the 2021 Standards literally for one objective but not
Curriculum Guidelines. The considering other objectives potentially being non-compliant. Utilize your resources! Improve student
implementation date for both learning by implementing didactic laboratory learning activities/course objectives into your program’s
revised curricula is September curriculum that requires the use of an energized laboratory.
1, 2025.
Student Stipends
As identified in Objective 4.2 of
the Standards, accredited With today’s unprecedented labor shortage in medical imaging and radiation therapy professions,
programs must follow a JRCERT coupled with the need to meet the demand for excellent patient care, various organizations have
-adopted curriculum. An recommended or implemented different solutions. Some of these initiatives include the Bloomberg
adopted curriculum is currently Philanthropies Workforce Initiative that connects health care systems with public high schools, as well
defined as the most recent as paid internships for various professions.
ASRT or AAMD curriculum.
The JRCERT does not support paid clinical hours for students enrolled in its educational programs;
Please be sure to review the however, we do endorse scholarships, grants, tuition/fee assistance, and stipends which must be
revised curricula, which are offered equitably. As indicated in JRCERT Policy 10.900, Procedure 10.902A, the stipend must be
available on the ASRT and unrelated to the completion of specific clinical hours and/or assignments. Therefore, students
receiving an hourly rate reimbursed for clinical hours would not be acceptable.
AAMD websites. Updated
JRCERT Curriculum Analysis
Grids are available here. The JRCERT developed this policy to guarantee that students are not taking the place of qualified staff
and that appropriate supervision is being provided during the clinical education experience.
Additionally, this prevents the risk of liability to medical facilities due to unqualified individuals
performing medical imaging and therapeutic procedures.
MRI Screening Forms and Pregnancy
The Standards contain the provision that if a student wishes to declare pregnancy, then they may do
so in a voluntary manner. If an MRI student screening form contains a question related to pregnancy,
then this may result in a student declaring pregnancy in a potentially non-voluntary manner. Programs
are advised that MRI screening forms should not include a question related to pregnancy. An example
of an MRI screening form can be found in the Guidance for Programs in MR Safety Education module
which is available under Program Resources on the JRCERT website. .
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