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National
TS Council Representative Report
May 30, 2007
Submitted by Myra Nelson, SWC Chapter President and Vesper Grantham, SWC President-Elect
The annual meeting was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington D.C. Highlights
of the meeting are as follows:
- Scope of Practice - was approved by the National Council of Representatives.
They have added CT with contrast as a part of our scope of practice since
we are now eligible to sit for the CT boards.
- Strategic Plan - was broken down into four goals. Each goal was than
broken down into short term (1 year) or long term (5 Years) line items.
Goal A will be the resource in promoting, and educating in knowledge
exchange, training, and networking for nuclear medicine, molecular imaging
and therapy. Ex- 5 Year goal - facilitate curriculum development for current
and emerging technologies (PET MRI, PEM).
Goal B will be a powerful advocate for nuclear medicine, molecular
imaging and therapy and promote the highest standard of patient care. Ex-
1Year goal - lobbying for reimbursement and research funding.
Goal C will be a leader in educational and credentialing/licensing
efforts for the imaging specialists in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging
and therapy. Ex - 1 Year goal - develop curricula for entry-level bachelor's
degree.
Goal D will be recognized as the society that positions technologists
within the fields of nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and therapy. Ex -
3 Year goal - create outreach programs aimed at medical imaging groups, patient
groups, potential students, federal agencies, regulators, and general public.
- Advanced Practice for Nuclear Medicine Technologist - the society
is still working on terminology for the certification. There needs be coe
competencies in the training programs which will require a Master's degree.
- The ARRT has announced that they will no longer be accepting Category
B credits. Only Category A credits will be allowed (these are approved
credits). They have also made changes to the retired category. You
can now renew your license but do not have to have CEU's. You must be at least
55 years old with 20 years service or your age plus numbers of years working
must equal 70. Reinstatement requirements have also been changed. For less
than a year, you must pay the fee plus fill out the application. 1-5 years
you must re-examine in each category. If longer than 5 years, you must go
back to school and take the examination again. They have an Advanced Practice
level called a Radiology Assistant. Problems for these people are that reimbursement
is slow at best. The ARRT and NMTCB are working together for the Advanced
Nuclear Medicine personnel.
- Attendance Verification - new guidelines have been put in place to
streamline the process to verify attendance. No longer will we be required
to be stamped in and out. One will only be "stamped in" at the start
of each session, check out is a must only if one leaves early.
- CE Applications - now will be filed on line. NO VOICE credit will
be awarded if filed less than 4 weeks prior to the event. Only ONE application
is needed for VOICE, AME, and Pharmacy credits. Credit hour rules have changed.
Meal/ meetings will be approved will only be awarded ½ credit.
- Personal electronics - use of iPods, cell phones, DVD players, text
messaging, palm pilots, MP3 players, and computers should be restricted during
educational sessions. This is to ensure a positive perception to the education
experience.
- ICANL - accreditation is upon us now. Because to the backlog and
lack of inspectors, site visits will be done by random drawings. Paperwork
is due 45 days after the application is turned in. It usually takes 3 months
for approval. Most states are driven by the guidelines set down by United
Health Care.
- SNM Educational and Research Foundation - looking for chapters to
find projects to ask money for. All members are asked to donate $5-$10 / year
to keep the fund running for years to come. Grants and scholarships may be
increased if everyone donates.
- Future Continuing Education - Podcast, on-line webcast, continuing
computer based self studies, and future technologies.
- Membership - technologist members outnumber the physician numbers.
- On-line Voting - larger number of members voting since it was put
on-line, but only 8.56% of the member took advantage of this easy method.