SMRT Signals • September 2016 • Vol.5 Issue 3

INFORMATION FOR YOU:

Standards Revision Process: Stakeholder Input

Stephanie Eatmon, EdD RT(R)(T) FASRT

This article is based on content previously published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and is used with permission of the ASRT.

JRCERT Core Values:

• Believes educational quality and integrity should not be compromised

• Respects and protects the rights of students

• Promotes the welfare of patients

• Encourages educational innovation

• Collaborates with other organizations to advance the profession

• Exemplifies the highest ethical principles in its actions and decisions

• Responds in a proactive and dynamic manner to the environment in which we operate¹

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence in education through the accreditation of radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry programs. At the spring 2015 JRCERT board meeting, the directors voted to open the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program to a comprehensive revision. Although the standards were revised in 2014, and JRCERT standards typically undergo revisions every 10 years, the directors voted for an early revision based on numerous interpretations throughout the documents and the lack of clarity in Standard 5: Assessment. The JRCERT Board of Directors will periodically issue interpretations to specific objectives within the standards to help clarify the intent of the objective. In addition, the political environment after the collapse of Corinthian Colleges, planned Obama administration executive action on higher education accreditation, and increasing student loan debt have led to a growing awareness of accreditation organizations and the expectation that schools should be graduating students with the knowledge and skills needed for success. 2,3 Throughout the revision process, the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization will be considered and might affect the revision timeline.

During this revision process, it is important for the JRCERT to explore many strategic initiatives and gather input from all communities of interest. JRCERT staff have developed multiple thought-provoking surveys for all stakeholders, including program directors, clinical coordinators, faculty, clinical instructors, professional organizations, and other programmatic accrediting organizations. The surveys include questions regarding differing accreditation processes to gauge the feelings of the community about these processes. Just because a different accreditation process is included in a survey or is mentioned at a professional meeting does not mean the JRCERT has adopted it. It is only a reflection of the JRCERT’s due diligence to explore and obtain feedback from all stakeholders.

The JRCERT is dedicated to providing a fully transparent process. For this reason, its Web site now includes a “standards revision” link on the home page. The page provides current information related to the revision process, including the stakeholders and timelines. The Initial Program and Faculty Survey was launched April 27, 2016, and will remain available for comment until later this year. In addition to the survey, JRCERT will continue to solicit input at national, regional, and state professional meetings.

The importance of obtaining feedback from those most familiar with the standards is essential to the success of this process. As part of this transparent process, feedback will be reported in aggregate format so no identifying information will be released. The goal of the standards revision is to produce a document that is effective, clearly stated, nonrepetitive, and that specifically identifies documents needed for validation of the written narrative.

To read more about the JRCERT standards revision process and access the surveys, visit jrcert.org.

Stephanie Eatmon, Ed.D, R.T. (R)(T), FASRT, serves as the first vice chair of the JRCERT Board of Directors and an advisor for the National University Radiation Therapy Progra – Costa Mesa, CA campus She can be contacted at sleatmon15@gmail.com.

References

1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Web site. www.jrcert.org/mission. Accessed July 21, 2016.

2. Douglas-Gabriel D. Embattled for-profit Corinthian Colleges closes its doors. Washington Post. April 26, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/04/26/embattled-for-profit-corinthian-colleges-closes-its-doors/. Accessed July 21, 2016.

Signals is a publication produced four times per calendar year by the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine for the benefit of the SMRT membership and those individuals and organizations that support the educational programs and professional advancement of the SMRT and its members. The newsletter is the compilation of editor, Julie Strandt-Peay, BSM, RT (R)(MR) FSMRT, the leadership of the SMRT and the staff in the ISMRM Central Office with contributions from members and invited participants.

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