Getting Started with CEs
The continuing education requirements of the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) seem a little funny to me. It's simple enough that you have to collect 24 continuing education credits every two years. That part doesn't seem so strange. What feels odd to me is how the 'biennium' works, and how strange it seems to me as a new graduate. I graduated in May of 2009. My birthday is in the month of March. My biennium does not start until March of 2010. So between May of 2009 and March of 2010, it is a waste of time for me to pursue any continuing education credits. If I turn any in at this time, they don't count toward my next biennium requirement. I have to actually wait until after March 1, 2010 to turn anything in. If my birthday had been in June, I would have had to wait only one month before my new biennium started, but since it's not until March, I have to wait ten months. It seems slightly counter productive to me in some way. I just spend three years back in school, so getting started working on continuing education credits right away would seem like a good idea. Strike while the iron is hot...
I joined the ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists) as soon as I graduated (or within a month). The directed readings in the Radiologic Technology Journal are good sources of continuing education credits. Each issue (it comes out 6 times per year) has two directed readings with a quiz at the end. These directed readings are worth one or two continuing education credits each. The first two issues I have received each have 3.5 hours worth of continued education credits available. The simple act of joining the ASRT and using the directed readings in the journal will fulfill the continuing education requirements set forth by the ARRT. The directed readings provided in these journals are good for two years. I can turn them in for credit any time during that two year period, so I'm working through them and will just hold them until my biennium starts in March, at which time I'll turn them in for credit. That should give me a rather comfortable head start on the 24 hours I'll be required to accumulate between March of 2010 and March of 2012.
On another note, I wonder if this little issue of the delay in being able to start accumulating CEs causes techs to wait to become a member of the ASRT? I'm also curious as to what people do to collect CE credits if they aren't members of the ASRT.
September 28th, 2009 - 14:45
Your question regarding when the biennium begins is a good one and can be confusing when there is a delay after graduation. The ARRT had to set a date when the biennium begins that would be logical to track so they chose the individual’s birthmonth. That way it coincides with the timing of your registry renewal. You are correct–for some the biennium begins immediately and others could wait up to 11 months.
The ASRT directed readings are an easy way to accumulate continuing education credits. I hope that you are also a member of your state society as there are also continuing education opportunities available there as well.
The ASRT also provides you with automatic tracking and transfer to the ARRT of your continuing education credits, discounts on textbooks, uniforms, shoes, online courses such as CT, opportunities for scholarships, grants, job information, publications, opportunities for leadership growth, a voice in pending legislation to mandate federal minimum standards of education for individuals performing medical imaging and therapy procedures and much more. Your state society most likely provides some of the same benefits on the state level. I applaud you for being a member of your professional organization. The organizations cannot continue to offer programs and stay viable without your financial support. Have you considered volunteering at the state or national level to serve on a committee? It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the profession and establish networks. Congratulations on your graduation and registry:)
September 28th, 2009 - 23:24
I have not considered volunteering at this point, but I might in the future. I’m more concerned with establishing myself in the workforce, which is proving to be a lot more difficult in these poor economic times than I expected. I was a member of the NCSRT as a student, but I need to renew that membership as a professional in the near future…