In recent years, the field of radiology has exploded with more radiologic technologists signing up for the complex and technical work the field offers. Radiographic imaging is an employment opportunity for anyone interested in services and technology. If you like helping people who are dealing with a variety of medical issues this is a good fit.
It’s important to know that it’s important for every certified radiologist to earn radiology CE credits. If you’re looking to earn your credits around your own schedule with online courses, here’s what you need to know.
Which Careers Require Continuing Education?
There are a wide variety of professions that offer certifications. In the radiology field, you need to maintain your licensure through radiology continuing education, especially if you’re looking to stand out in the professional community and find a job. The right licensure and certifications give you the competitive edge for employment.
A lot of licenses require continuing education because technology, standards, and requirements change constantly. While it’s expected that you’d do some research on your own, keeping requirements ensures there’s a minimum standard for all radiologists.
Some states have special certification requirements, so it’s vital for radiologic technologists to stay informed about the changes made in their state.
Radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, and radiologists all require continuing education of some kind. Radiographers and radiologic technologists need to stay up to date on improved equipment and new x-ray technology techniques. Radiation therapists and radiologists will need to learn about new pharmaceuticals and how to integrate them using radiation as part of their medical tool kit, often to treat cancer patients.
Who Else Needs Continuing Education?
Radiologic technologists do general x-rays, but can advance to other positions in CT, Interventional Radiology and MRI for example.
Additionally, sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists also need CE credits.
Sonographers bounce high-frequency soundwaves off of tissues inside of the human body. They read echoes that get translated into an image.
Nuclear medicine involves using trace amounts of injected radiopharmaceuticals to get data from inside the body. Bones, organs, and tissues can be imaged with radiopharmaceuticals. Cameras get an image of the gamma-ray emissions that help doctors to find issues inside of a body.
Getting to Know the Requirements
Radiologic technologists and radiation therapists have to get certified through a group called the ARRT®. The American Registry of Radiological Technologists® requires that applicants first graduate from a program that they approve of. Then, they require that the graduate meets ethical standards before they’re allowed to take a certification exam, also known as the boards.
Every two years, ARRT® certified technologists need to complete 24 credits in continuing education. If they don’t, they might risk losing their certification.
Radiologists go through a different process. They’re certified by the American Board of Radiology®. Those certifications are renewed over the course of ten years, or as designated by their state, during which time a radiologists need to take CMEs.
They also need to perform a self-assessment depending on their specialty.
Choosing the Right Program
The right program for every radiologist and radiologic technologist will depend on what’s available and what state you’re in. The rules can be complicated and are often subject to change.
Sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists need to look carefully at what’s offered. They need to be recognized by certification granting organizations. This will depend from one jurisdiction to another.
CE Provider submissions are scrutinized by professional organizations. A course is determined adequate or not by peer-reviewed guidelines. Approved continuing education is available through these providers.
Even manufacturers of medical equipment can offer courses. If you’re going to be working with one specific tool, sometimes, the people who make that tool can do the best job in letting you know how to get the most out of it.
People who are merely interested in learning about radiology should not pursue continuing education credits. CE credits are for already registered technologists or radiologists.
Types of Courses
There are a number of different types of courses focused on the type of radiology specialty.
As outlined above, radiologists and radiologic technologists might need to take a course that’s based on a particular technology that they use. They might also need to learn about changes to X-ray standards if the state law has changed. Radiation therapists and radiologists will learn about how treatments can be carefully used to target different types of illnesses based on new research.
Nuclear medicine is another type of specialty that changes constantly. As more radiopharmaceuticals are developed and used constantly, healthcare providers and radiologists need to be on top of this. They also need to ensure that they’re sticking to high safety standards.
Mammography specialists will need to stay up to date as their field also changes.
Fluoroscopy is a dynamic imaging specialty where techniques are changing constantly along with equipment and new technology.
Ultrasound technologists or sonographers have seen their field change and grow over time. Continuing education focuses on new equipment and techniques, so that every sonographer can offer more effective imaging.
Radiology CE Credits Can Be Earned At Home
Thanks to the number of online courses available, it’s never been easier to stay on top of your radiology CE credits. Knowing which courses are best and which are available is also easy thanks to the availability of options.
If you’re interested in medical imaging continuing education, check out our guide to learn more.
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