Format: Online Activity
Credit:  2.0 ARRT Category A
Fee for Credit Certificate: $15


Click ENROLL NOW to view or download this program and complete the POSTTEST online.

CT FOR TECHNOLOGISTS  OVERVIEW and EDUCATIONAL GOALS

CT for Technologists is an educational program designed to meet the needs of radiologic technologists entering or working in the field of computed tomography (CT). These activities are designed to achieve several educational goals:

• Enhance the skills and knowledge of current CT technologists
• Provide technologists with information that can be applied in day-to-day practice
• Prepare the new technologist or a technologist seeking certification in the CT modality to pass the ARRT CT certification examination
• Provide education-on-demand for busy technologists
• Provide access to CE credit for a nominal fee
   

COURSE OVERVIEW
The skill of the technologist is the single most important factor in obtaining good quality diagnostic images. A successful CT examination is the culmination of many factors under the direct control of the technologist.

CT for Technologists: 3 Radiation Safety introduces the learner to the history of x-ray discovery and its consequent adverse effects, how radiation affects human tissue, how to minimize patient radiation exposure through parameter adjustment, and how to protect the patient as well as the staff, including national initiatives to reduce exposure.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After concluding this educational activity, the reader will be able to:

• Discuss the early challenges of x-ray development
• Describe the effects of ionizing radiation on the body
• Explain radiation safety practices in CT
• Assess CT scan parameters that impact patient radiation dose
• Develop and implement reduced-dose CT protocols for adult and pediatric patients

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT
This program has been approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for 2.0 hours of ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

• Click the ENROLL NOW icon on the upper left and follow the registration instructions.
• The course will be accessible from your MY ACCOUNT page (upper right of your computer screen).
• Read the activity online or download and print the PDF

HOW TO RECEIVE CREDIT
Estimated time to complete this activity is 2.0 hours. Your online account with ICPME serves as a permanent record of credit certificates earned through icpme.us.

• Read the course content.
• To access the posttest and evaluation, login to your account at icpme.us and click on the course title.   
• Click the icons for POSTTEST and for EVALUATION.
• A passing grade of at least 75% is required to receive credit. You may take the test up to three times.
• Upon receipt of a passing grade, you will be able to print a certificate of credit from your account at icpme.us.
• There is a $15 fee to process a certificate of credit.

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES

Robert S. Jennings, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT)
3D Lab Director
Fairfax Radiological Consultants, PC
Fairfax, VA 22031

In addition to managing the 3D Lab at Fairfax Radiological Consultants (FRC), Mr. Jennings oversees CT protocols at six outpatient CT centers. He also serves as Director/Instructor of the GE/FRC Cardiac CTA for CT Technologists Course.

Mr. Jennings also co-authored with James P. Earls, MD, a 2008 article published in Radiology titled: Prospectively gated transverse coronary CT angiography versus retrospectively gated helical technique: improved image quality and reduced radiation dose.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
ICPME is committed to providing learners with high-quality continuing education (CE) that promotes improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

A conflict of interest (COI) exists when an individual has both a financial relationship with a commercial interest and the opportunity to control the content of CME relating to the product or services of that commercial interest. A commercial interest is defined as any proprietary entity producing healthcare goods or services with the following exemptions: (1) governmental agencies, eg, the NIH; (2) not-for-profit organizations; and (3) CME honorarium received by the faculty or advisers, planners and managers or their spouse/life partner.

The following faculty, planners, advisers, and managers have reported these relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CE activity:
 

James P. Earls, MD has receiving consulting fees and fees for non-CME services from GE Healthcare.
Robert S. Jennings, RT (R)(CT)(ARRT) has no conflicts to report.
Linda McLean, MS, has no conflicts to report.
Victoria Phoenix, BS, has no conflicts to report.
Lisa H. Schleelein, MEd, has no conflicts to report..
Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT) has received consulting fees from Siemens Medical Systems

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We extend our special thanks to James P. Earls, MD, Partner, Fairfax Radiologic Consultants, PC, and Director of Cardiac CT, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute and Emilio Vega, BS, RT (R)(CT), Manager, Imaging Processing Lab, New York University, Langone Medical Center for their thoughtful review of this material.

We would also like to acknowledge the authors of the original series for their significant and lasting contributions to this educational material: Jennifer McNew, RT (R)(CT); Tomi Brandt, MPA, RT (R)(M)(QM); and Alec J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR.


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DISCLAIMER
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.