CollaborationRA

CollaborationRA

By CollaborationRAMedicineHealth & Fitness
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CollaborationRA episodes

  • Speaking Respect

    This week host Marcelene Forbus took to the open mic to share the inspiration for our recent social media post on recognizing the foundation that radiology has.  Listen in as she takes you on an in-depth look into developing self-recognition, speaking respect, and understanding that we all already have everything we need to make an impact.

     

    Timeline:

    • (00:51):  Marcelene opens the show.
    • (01:32):  Sharing on recent conference, collaborating among societies, and reaffirmed support for the RA.
    • (03:15):  Speaking on the post “just going to be blunt for a minute” and changing the narrative.
    • (04:50):  Inspiration for the post, comparing ourselves, and our foundation.
    • (06:35):  Our education and supporting those who desire to pursue higher learning.
    • (08:44):  Advancing into multiple modalities and learning this is our opportunity specifically for us.
    • (09:19):  Radiology based mid-levels and the value of supporting this pathway.
    • (10:21):  Radiology professionals advancing into hospital administrative roles and added value to the profession.
    • (11:51):  Learning where radiology has room to grow, finding our voice, gaining unity and self-recognition.
    • (15:27): Closing remarks
    •  

      Below is the ASRT’s national campaign Be Seen link and commercial site!

       

      https://www.asrt.org/beseen

       

      Thank you everyone for finding value in the podcast, opening conversations with us, and listening in as we speak and inspire each other to learn more about who we all are.  Your support is always of great value to us.

      17 min
    • RA Roundtable: Positive Momentum

      This week we got a few of us RA's to come together and discuss some of the positive things we are seeing in the profession and what the positive moment is bringing with it.


      Listen in as Marcelene Forbus, Reece Burgoon, Derek Maderios, Sue Wertz, Sean Wiley, and Will Bryant hit on topics like career opportunities, recognition with legislators, state/national discussions, RA travelers, and attending the ARPE and SRPE conferences.


      We want to thank all of those who listen to the podcast and advocate for the profession. Advocacy is more than just seeing the value in the RA pathway, it's about advocating for the pathways all of us have available in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy! Keep finding that value and letting everyone know it's there!

      32 min
    • Climbing The Ladder

      On this episode we get the honor to sit and visit with Jason Newmark and Kim Evans with the AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management.  We wanted to know more about the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) credentials and the value that this certification can bring to those of us in leadership positions!  Enjoy the listen as we hit many of the topics that are happening in our departments, as we all learn and grow stronger together!

       

      Timeline:

      • (00:51) Introduction: Jason Newmark and Kim Evans.
      • (04:49) Finding how we connect with common backgrounds.
      • (05:49) Learning about the AHRA and what their society can offer to our imaging leadership/management teams and developing into upper administrative roles.
      • (13:03) Value in corporate partnerships, AHRA website, the 2024 conference and CEUs.
      • (20:27) Learning about the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) and the value it brings.
      • (23:29) Eligibility for the CRA certification, education behind obtaining this certification and climbing that corporate ladder.
      • (27:21) Practice test and education material to aid in obtaining the CRA credentials.
      • (28:52) Personal experience of the CRA certification and what management roles look like with this certification.
      • (31:30) How the CRA can offer benefits to those who may not be climbing the administrative ladder but want to engage in better understanding and team dynamics.
      • (36:05) How the CRA credentials can sort of verify the experience of those in leadership roles and the future of recognizing the CRA certification.
      • (38:00) The Radiologist Assistant (RA) role and leadership impacts on the professional and technical side of daily tasks.
      • (43:23) Rebuilding what is “Radiology”, building our bonds, and the “BeSeen” campaign.
      • (47:43) Closing the episode.
      •  

        A special thanks to Mr. Newmark and Mrs. Evans for coming on and sharing about the AHRA society and the CRA credentials and certification.  Please check out the websites below to learn more about the AHRA or the CRA.

        https://www.ahra.org/home

        https://www.crainfo.org

        https://www.crainfo.org/CRA/Take_the_CRA_Exam/Study_and_Reference_Materials/CRA/Take_the_Exam/CRA_Study_Reference_Materials.aspx?hkey=8687f757-c981-4942-9997-143c0dcc3c34


        51 min
      • Learning Through Connecting

        This week we got the opportunity to visit with James Armo, who joined us all the way from Ghana, Africa.  In this episode we look at some of the differences between the educational programs overseas in comparison to the United States and what are the things that connect us as professionals.   We were so grateful to have had this chance to visit with Mr. Armo and we are wishing him the best as he hits the career force and works towards higher education!

         

        Timeline:

        • (00:53) Introduction and meeting James Armo.
        • (02:12) Education, future certifications, learning apps, and education on equipment.
        • (04:58) Degree level programs, workforce outlook, and pay range based on location.
        • (08:02) Learning forensics and medical imaging embedded into radiology programs.
        • (10:30) Being recognized as professionals, society involvement and getting your community to get to know you.
        • (14:09) Learning about their imaging degree plan, difference from the US, and what is embedded in our different programs.
        • (20:17) Future plans post graduate and making goals.
        • (23:27) looking at global recognition, working towards something bigger, and the impacts of social media/podcasts.
        • (26:00) How social media worked to unite us for this episode.
        • (27:00) Diversity in medical imaging and finding several ways to embrace our differences.
        • (27:37) Closing remarks.
        •  

          Thank you Mr. Armo for coming on with us, sharing about you education, and what you are hopeful in the future of our profession.  Connection always brings higher learning, and we were excited to have these discussions.  We are wishing him all the best in all that he does!

          31 min
        • Building Bridges
          Today’s episode we get to sit down with featured guest host, James Reaves (RT, CT, MR), to learn more about how the Georgia Society of Radiologic Technologist (GSRT) is working towards strengthen recognition in their state.   One of the ways that they are doing this, is through visiting the Georgia Capitol and educating on the importance of our profession.  This episode gives you an inside look at the rules being promulgated and HB 434 and how other states can put together their own capitol visits.
           
          Timeline:
          (00:51) Introducing guest host James Reaves
          (05:04) The inspiration and involvement to better recognition.
          (13:07) Discussing the promulgation of rules and what HB 434 means for Georgia.
          (14:31) The process of putting together a capital visit for 60+ students, technologist, and Radiologist Assistants (RA).
          (19:36) Setting yourself apart and the importance of meeting in person.
          (21:11) Tips and tricks for making the most success out of a capital visit.
          (22:49) The success of lining legislation up, following through, and visiting with representatives.
          (24:11) The inspiration that set James into motion on putting together multiple capitol visits.
          (26:42) The power of teaching advocacy at the start of medical imaging education and ASRT programs to help encourage student technologist to become more active in advocacy.
          (31:16) What “We’re working for you” looks like behind the scenes.
          (34:29) The start of the RA lectures, Georgia’s impacts, and learning more about the RA.
          (38:12) Educating at a state and national level to make a greater impact.
          (39:54) The power of negotiation to better achieve legislative success.
          (40:39) Closing remarks.
           
          A big thank you to Mr. Reaves as he took time after a busy day at the capitol, to come on and share with us their experiences.  We are humbled by his continued excitement in working towards advocacy efforts and seeing success for the state of Georgia.  We are wishing them all luck with the promulgated rules and HB 434!
          44 min
        • Lobbyist: Becoming Fixtures

          On this episode we share our mic with Texas Lobbyist, Kyle Frazier, as he shares open advice on what advocacy for radiology-based professionals should look like.  He spends time sharing the importance a lobbyist can play in the legislative role, how to advocate effectively, and the importance of making connections with representatives.  This episode of all about empowering our process and educating consistently on our roles, with/without legislation in process.

           

          Mr. Frazier joins us with an extensive history in advocacy and has spent more than 3 decades in his role as a lobbyist.  As we look at gaining higher recognition as the 3rd largest healthcare professional, we he about about how we have to be willing to advocate at the highest level.  Gain better insight and help us work towards raising that recognition bar!

           

          Timeline:

          • (00:51) Introducing Kyle Frazier.
          • (03:00) The unity of the RRA and RPA in Texas, leading to unity in states moving forward.
          • (06:25) How, who, and what is a Lobbyist?
          • (09:15) The importance a Lobbyist can bring during advocacy in support/opposing legislation.
          • (11:46) Monetary value and personal advocacy, evaluating time and necessary support.
          • (17:07) Advantages of having a lobbyist, society involvement, grassroots, building connections, and becoming the expert for seeking advice.
          • (26:39) Making that local level impact in the most effective ways.
          • (28:49) Advocating like the 3rd largest professional and making it a constant.
          • (36:33) Final thoughts and closing the episode out.
          •  

            A huge thank you to Mr. Frazier for taking time out of his busy schedule to come on and share ways that we can become stronger advocates in our industry.  We are beyond grateful for the continued connect and support over the years!

            39 min
          • RA: Billing And Ongoing Discussions

            This week our featured guest is Melody Mulaik, President of Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies.  Listen in as she takes time with us to shed light on some of the questions that continue to be raised about billing for the Radiologist Assistant (RA) profession.  We take and extensive look into the 2019 CMS billing guidelines, incident to, value in the RA, seeking support, MARCA, and how Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals can advance into the medical billing and coding profession.

             

            Disclaimer: This podcast episode was record for the purpose of offering an opportunity to openly discuss some of billing guidelines and gaining better clarification for RA professionals.  Opening conversations help us know where we need better support and can lead to a more unified understanding as we progress the profession forward.

             

            Links to the content discussed can be found below the timeline.

             

            Timeline:

            • (00:52): Opening remarks and guest host Melody Mulaik
            • (03:14): Speaking about supporting national legislation to halt or stop Medicare cuts.
            • (07:18): Going through 2019’s changes that now RA to perform diagnostic imaging procedures under “direct” supervision.
            • (10:32): Breaking down Transmittal 251 and “concept does not apply”.
            • (14:42): Exploring the gray areas of billing and lack of billing for inpatient procedures.
            • (16:55): Value in various pieces of utilizing the RA while also bring mindful of tracking/billing.
            • (18:27): Speaking about MARCA, rural communities, seeking CMS guidance and having conversations.
            • (24:32): Incident to guidelines and what falls under the incident to rules.
            • (29:43): Brief discussion over prior MARCA language.
            • (31:31): Radiologist shortages and how extenders can play a vital role in assisting with departmental flow and a type of triage process for procedures and case workup.
            • (34:48): E&M coding and who can provide those services.
            • (35:14): Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy pathways into medical billing and coding.
            • (37:30): Having the hard conversations, gaining better understanding, and becoming more unified as to why we are seeking CMS/MARCA support.
            • (39:17): Thanking Melody Mulaik for coming on with us and closing remarks.
            •  

              To support the halt or stop to Medicare cuts go to https://fixmedicarenow.org/take-action?vvsrc=/Campaigns/108965/Respond and submit a letter to your state representatives.

               

              Transmittal 251: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/2018downloads/R251BP.pdf

               

              We were truly grateful to have this conversation with Ms. Mulaik.  While there are no new rule changes, we wanted to come together and educate why the RA is seeking CMS and MARCA support.  The more we can all understand and unify, the more consistent our message will be.

               

              42 min
            • Natural Progression

              Fellow Radiologic Technologists and guest hosts Travis Winsett and Cade Little, join us on the open mic to ask questions as they consider advancing their career into the extender role.  We share on the various opportunities that are out there and how to assist in making the right decisions when looking at advancing your career in medical imaging.

               

              In this episode we also share extensively on the RA role, the definition of supervision, how supervision is determined, and what RA’s can and are credentialed to perform.  We share on what life in the roles of Marcelene and Reece are typically like and what others considering this field can gain from these conversations.

               

              Timeline:

              • 00:51: Introducing our guests
              • 03:25: What piques the interest in the Radiologist Assistant (RA) role.
              • 05:41: Key factors to consider when looking at the RA role vs the PA (Physician Assistant) role.
              • 11:17: The roles do the RA’s fill and how involvement of the Radiologist.
              • 15:00: Defining supervision, how supervision is defined, and credentialing.
              • 18:08: Billing components (Technical and Professional).
              • 20:01: The extent of the scope of practice (image guided biopsies).
              • 22:37: Different definitions; “Preliminary” and “Initial Observation”.
              • 24:33: Working towards better recognition.
              • 30:03: Dual role; Radiographer and Radiologist Assistant.
              • 31:48: Open discussion on how others outside the podcast view the RA concept.
              • 35:57: Post conversation and consideration for going the RA pathway.
              • 39:10: Closing out the episode.
              •  

                 We want to thank Travis and Cade for taking the time to come on with us and sharing about the many considerations that they have when looking to consider the RA pathway.  While there can be many answers to the same questions, we hope that we were able to give a little bit of clarity on what many of us considered when we went through the process.


                Thank you everyone for tuning in and finding value in every episode!  We are grateful for the growing fan base and the elevation of each of our voices.

                42 min
              • Investing In The Future

                Join us as we get to sit with UT Heath in San Antonio’s program Director, Laura P. Vasquez (Ph.D, MS, RVT, RT, MR, MRSO), as she shares about the program they are offering.  This is the first ver entry into the program at a master’s level that offers students the education, training, and opportunity to become multimodality certifications.

                 

                We hit on several topics during this discussion with the order of the content below:

                • The demand for education, market trends, and what multimodality trained technologist have to offer our industry.
                •  Changes in education that has been seen over the years, leading up to programs of higher education and training.
                •  The definition of professionalism, COVID trends, advocacy and the trends that are happening in medical imaging (and all of medicine).
                •  UT Health San Antonio’s masters level program, what it offers to it’s students, what entering the program looks like, and what students can expect to achieve.
                • Investing in our own, heightening awareness of levels of education and the importance of the education medical imaging professionals have in advocacy.
                •  The rigor of programs at UT Health in San Antonio and the start of the first cohort.
                • Face to face vs hybrid programs and investing resources in earlier education with STEM programs to drive more students into the medical imaging pathway.
                • Current workforce issues and looking to fill the void with traveling technologist; missing the opportunity to build and maintain a team.
                • What students are looking at as they go through these programs and working in the industry.
                • Educating on the Radiologist Assistant role and how it plays a key part in where our industry if currently at.
                •  Understanding the importance of advocating for new industry growth and investing in those who are trailblazing the process.
                •  Closing the program up and sharing on the future hope of the students currently enrolled in this masters level program.

                • It was such an honor to have Dr. Vasquez on with us and share on the importance of recognizing professionals and investing in the future of the profession.  Our thoughts and views align as we each look at how we want to see the industry grow and maintain recognition.  

                  48 min
                • Changing Seasons

                  In this short episode Marcelene Forbus and Reece Burgoon spend some time recapping over the last 2 seasons on the CollabroationRA podcast.  We share on some of the highlights and our excitement for what Season 3 will bring in 2024 year.


                  Some of our RA community wanted to take a moment to come on and stake a moment to thank our listeners as we closed out the 2023 year.  CollabroationRA is wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday season.

                  11 min

                About CollaborationRA

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                Working together to recognize the Radiology Technologist and Radiologist Assistant profession.