Course Description
Advocacy is an important part of professional practice, particularly for radiologic technologists (RTs) and radiation therapists. Despite being one of the largest healthcare professions in the United States, these professionals face constant issues with licensure and scope of practice encroachment. It is important for RTs and radiation therapists to become advocates for their patients and their profession to ensure safety, high-quality patient care, and increased professional standards. For patients, RTs and radiation therapists can ensure that imaging studies and other imaging and therapeutic procedures are medically necessary and coded correctly for reimbursement, as well as remind patients of their rights. Professionally, RTs and radiation therapists must promote licensure in all states to ensure consistency in care and radiation safety practices, protect the field from encroachment by noncertified personnel, and educate the public about medical imaging and radiation therapy. Radiologic technologists and radiation therapists can become advocates through education, involvement, and visibility. Becoming an advocate not only strengthens those in the profession, but their patients as well. This course will address and discuss professional advocacy in radiologic imaging for patients as well as RTs and radiation therapists. Steps that RTs and therapists can take to effectively advocate for their patients and colleagues, both on a state and national level, will be outlined.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• DEFINE advocacy within the context of the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.
• SUMMARIZE the role and impact of advocacy efforts in advancing the profession and protecting patient care.
• IDENTIFY specific actions RTs and radiation therapists can take to become effective advocates on local, state, and national levels.

Categories: Professional Development/Patient Care Quality & Ethics

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 6 out of 8 questions correctly to receive CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credit). 

Texas indirect credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.