LANSING, MI – More than 300 radiologic technologists from Michigan visited with lawmakers in Lansing on April 17 to ask them to support expanded professional standards for the state’s personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures.
Currently, individuals who perform mammography procedures are the only group of medical imaging personnel in the state required to meet state-mandated training standards. Personnel without any education or training in medical radiation safety, patient positioning or basic radiologic science physics can perform all other medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures.
The Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists is seeking legislation that will require all personnel who perform medical imaging or radiation therapy procedures to complete a series of stringent educational requirements and pass an examination before performing procedures.
“Standards and regulations for personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures are almost nonexistent in Michigan,” said Dawn Dickinson, B.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(M)(CT), president of the MSRT. “Medical radiation can be dangerous if the person performing the exam or procedure isn’t educated and qualified, so the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists is committed to making sure that all personnel have the skills and education to provide safe and accurate care.”
As part of the legislation, the MSRT recommends establishing a state registry that would set requirements and oversee the development of standards for all medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. In addition, the MSRT recommends creating a panel consisting of radiologic technologists and other health care professionals to advise the state on how to organize and manage the registry.
According to Dickinson, the MSRT hopes to have a bill introduced in the Michigan legislature by this summer. “We organized the advocacy day in Lansing to educate lawmakers about the importance of establishing standards for the personnel who perform radiologic procedures and ask them to support us in efforts to introduce a bill. It’s good for every patient in Michigan who will undergo a medical imaging or radiation therapy procedure in the future.”
About the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists
Established in 1956, the mission of the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists is to advance the art and science of medical imaging and radiologic treatment specialties, assist in establishing and maintaining high standards of education at all levels, evaluate the quality of patient care and improve the welfare of radiologic technologists.