You got your degree.  You are certified.  Why do you need courses in fluoroscopy radiation safety?

By the time you get your degree and certification, chances are that you just want to hunker down and get to work. But it’s important to keep up with continuing education in this field, especially if you live in California.

What happens if you’re unwilling or unable to do the continuing education? You may no longer be able to work in this field at all!

Not sure why that is, or would you simply like to learn more? Keep reading to discover all of the answers that you need!

CME Requirements: Why You Must Continue Your Education

There are many different reasons why it is important to do continuing education in fluoroscopy in California. But if you recently completed your degree (or maybe you just haven’t had your morning coffee), you may find yourself asking why you even have to do this.

The short answer is that it’s the law. In California, you must complete a certain number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits in order to renew your medical license, fluoroscopy permit, or certification. The tricky part is that different kinds of radiology jobs demand different amounts of CME credits within the state. Fortunately, our guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get the credits and keep your job!

Why Is Continuing Education So Important?

Now you know that getting these credits is important because the state demands that you get them. But you might be annoyed at being forced into continuing education, and you might find yourself asking “why is continuing education so important?”

Simply put, every branch of medicine and patient care is constantly evolving. Some of the tools, techniques, and best practices that you engage in every day at work may be completely different from what you were doing a decade ago.

Think about when you have to go to the doctor. Would you want to receive care from medical professionals who have never kept up to date about various changes and are relying on only what they knew when they completed their degree?

By getting the fluoroscopy CE and CME credits you need, you are doing more than complying with California law. You are ensuring that everything you do regarding fluoroscopy is up to date!

Different Jobs, Different Requirements

As you well know, fluoroscopy is a widely used diagnostic tool, and not everyone involved in fluoroscopy performs the same job. Because there are several different positions in this field, there are several different CME credit requirements.

So, which jobs require that you pursue credits? CE credits are required for fluoroscopy permit holders. The latter group includes any supervisors, operators, and physician assistants who have permits.

As we noted above, you’ll need a specific amount of credits based on your job title. Keep reading to discover how many credits you actually need!

Getting the Right CME Credits

Fluoroscopy imaging professionals need different amounts of continuing education (CE) credits within a certain time frame. For example, anyone with fluoroscopy permits (including supervisors, operators, physicians, or physician assistants) needs to get 10 CE credits within a two-year period, and 4 of those credits should focus on fluoroscopy radiation safety.

Radiologic technologists who have fluoroscopy permits need to get 24 credits within a two-year period with 4 of those credits in digital radiography and 4 credits in fluoroscopy radiation safety.

Different Ways of Earning Credits

Now you know more about why your continuing education is so important and how many credits you need to pursue based on your job. But do you know the different ways to get the credits you need?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to figure out which way of getting the credits you need meets both your preferences and your budget.  Do you want to do homestudy with a book and test in hand, or do you want to do an e-course on your computer in the comfort of your home?

You Don’t Have To Break The Bank

If you’re new to the fluoroscopy field, you might be worried about the cost of getting these credits. After all, when you are juggling student loan debt and other bills, the last thing you want to do is shell out to continue your education.

Here’s the good news: continuing education doesn’t have to be expensive. And some of your options are far cheaper than others.

For example, the most expensive option is usually attending conferences. Traveling to see a speaker or attending an in-house lecture is another option, but it is not always easy and convenient to do so. The best “all-around” option is to take online fluoroscopy courses from home. These courses are surprisingly affordable and offer valuable information. And best of all, taking these courses at home means not having to leave the house!

Get the Right CME Credits Today

Now you know about the continuing education requirements for California when it comes to fluoroscopy. But do you know where to get the credits?

There are plenty of places that can help you get the credits you need. But when these places make it hard, expensive, or otherwise difficult for you to meet your goals, it can hold your entire career back.

At Scrubs Continuing Education, we specialize in helping workers just like you meet California’s CE and CME requirements quickly and at a fair price. To learn more about what we can do for you just contact us today!