Six reasons to seek CT certification.(RE: REGISTRY)(computed tomography)

Has someone close to you had a computed tomography (CT) scan recently? Hopefully not, but likely so. Did you stop to think about whether the technologist who performed it was certified in CT? Would you ever imagine that nearly 6 out of 10 of the technologists performing CT aren't certified in CT by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)?

It's true. And the ARRT wants to change that. Growing use of CT, coupled with increasing safety concerns, makes CT certification more important than ever. But of the 45 000 R.T.s who report working in CT as either their primary or secondary sphere of employment, only 42% are ARRT certified in CT.

Thus, the ARRT has embarked on a campaign to encourage this group of R.T.s to earn their CT certification. If you work in CT or know someone who does, consider these reasons for earning CT certification now. Reasons 2 through 5 describe very important external forces that make CT certification more important than ever, but the first, and possibly most important, reason is something that comes from within.

1. Experience Self-fulfillment

Although extrinsic factors drive some of our behavior, workers in professions such as health care often are driven to do more than is required by intrinsic factors--motivations linked to personal development and self-concept values. Intrinsic factors include feelings of personal accomplishment and satisfaction, validation of specialized knowledge and professional commitment, and indications of competence.

Undoubtedly, everyone who works in CT believes they are well qualified or they would not perform the procedures that they do. Meeting national standards can enhance an individual's qualifications and provide self-validation and a sense of personal accomplishment.

2. Maximize Job Opportunities

Examine the typical evolution of a new discipline and you will find that certification usually is not required in the beginning. In fact, initially there may be more job openings than certified people to fill them. However, as the number of certified individuals increases, employers often begin seeing them as superior candidates to fill available positions. Can certification prove that one individual is more qualified than another individual with equal experience? Not on its own necessarily, but certification is an important piece of the puzzle that employers can use to make hiring decisions.

3. Anticipate Licensing Requirements

One of state licensing's most important roles is to protect the citizens of the state. As legislatures become more aware of the potential danger of increased patient exposure to ionizing radiation due to CT scans, they could enact laws governing who can perform the scans.

In fact, it has happened already. Massachusetts announced last year that, beginning in 2010, any technologist who performs CT must be certified in CT. Could the Massachusetts move be the start of a trend? If your state gets on board, you will want to make sure that you are prepared to meet the requirements. And you will want to factor in sufficient time for satisfying ARRT clinical experience requirements.

4. Meet Accreditation Standards

Just as standards are set for individuals to demonstrate qualifications, standards for facilities or medical practices to demonstrate their qualifications also may be set.

Practice accreditation programs typically specify requirements for staff who perform procedures. In fact, 2 agencies do just that in the area of CT: The American College of Radiology requires ARRT certification, preferably in CT, and the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed Tomography Laboratories strongly encourages CT certification.

5. Qualify for Reimbursement

Third-party payers have been moving to a pay-for-performance model in recent years. Under this model, professionals who perform imaging studies must be certified in the corresponding modality to qualify for reimbursement. Often, practice accreditation or individual certification serves as a proxy for measures of performance that are less readily available.

6. Stay Ahead as Standards Evolve

Certification standards typically evolve over time to become more stringent. For example, at one time eligibility to sit for the radiography exam could be met by on-the-job training. In 1966, however, the ARRT changed eligibility requirements for radiography certification to specify graduation from an accredited educational program. Likewise, eligibility for CT initially required certification in radiography and a period of 1 year between radiography certification and sitting for the CT exam--a year intended for gaining CT experience. In 2000, the ARRT changed the CT eligibility requirements to require documented performance of specific CT procedures.

Although the ARRT has not set additional eligibility requirements recently for certification in this postprimary category, history suggests that requirements will continue to evolve and become more stringent over time.

What CT-certified Technologists Say

The ARRT surveyed individuals who earned CT certification in 2006 to help understand who was likely to seek certification. Here is what it found:

* Demographics--Candidates were younger than the average for all R.T.s and were relatively new to the profession. Most did not hold other postprimary certifications, but many did plan to pursue magnetic resonance certification.

* Motivations--Nine out of 10 cited personal accomplishment as their no. 1 motivation, and 2 out of 3 said that career advancement was a primary motivation for seeking CT certification.

* Challenges--Four out of 10 said that meeting clinical experience requirements was not too challenging; however, 1 in 10 said that requirements were very challenging to meet. One out of 4 found preparing for the exam a challenging experience, with 5% stating that it was "no big deal."

* Preparation--Virtually all candidates met the clinical experience requirements on the job. In-depth study on their own was the test-preparation strategy of choice for 8 out of 10; 6 out of 10 took mock exams.

* Outcomes--Most reported earning more respect from colleagues after earning CT certification, and more than half experienced higher job satisfaction. Nearly half mentioned more job options, a raise and providing better patient care as welcome outcomes.

The ARRT hopes that 1 or more of these reasons will resonate with those of you who perform CT but have not yet acquired CT certification. Copies of the 2008-2009 CT certification handbook can be obtained from the ARRT by calling 651-687-0048.

Jerry Reid, PhD, is the regular contributing columnist for RE: Registry, which addresses issues concerning the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Dr Reid is executive director of the Registry. Questions or comments may be sent to his attention at the ARRT, 1255 Northland Drive, St. Paul, MN 55120-1155.

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