Pennsylvania House Speaker and fellow Radiologic Technologist Brian Cutler comes on to join us on the open mic! Listen in as we learn what brought him to start his career in radiology and how advancing in his department led him into the legislative career path. Representative Cutler does an amazing job at showcasing the importance of our roles, education, training, and why state by state recognition is important. He explains that through state licensing there is an ability to better protect our patients and open up access to care with recognition of the Radiologist Assistant (RA) role. We talk over the RA role and the importance of recognition of our profession at a state and federal level.

Representative Cutler also shares his experiences in the industry and how they are incorporated into his role as a legislator with various laws. In the discussion he shares insight into how to better reach out representatives and getting to know them even when there is no radiology based legislation. He also shares on why it is important that we educate those who are representing us legislatively so that they can understand the importance of radiation safety and the care our patients are receiving on a daily basis.

We want to thank everyone who came together to help make this episode possible. It was our pleasure to have these conversations and to be able to gain a different perspective on how the politics work behind the scenes. It was also neat to learn how fellow Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals can go this route should they choose.

If you are interested in coming on and having fun with us, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or through our website at www.collaborationra.com.

Educator, Bryan Ubalde (MHL, RT R/CT), comes on the open mic to talk about an array of topics. We walk through the start of his career with him and how he found his passion for radiology and end the episode elaborating on some of the Radiologist Assistant (RA) roles and responsibilities.

Listen in as he shares about the importance of not becoming complacent and achieving the goals that you have set out for yourself. Mr. Ubalde shares his inspirations for higher education and why that was an important goal for him to achieve in his career for advancement. He also spends some time sharing how in his role as an educator he learns constantly from his students about the advancements in the field.

Towards the end we go more in-depth on the RA role and clear up the misconception about "diagnosis" and who our initial observations are communicated with. We also touch on just a few procedures that the RA will perform during their education and once completed.

We had such a wonderful time visiting with and getting to know Mr. Ubalde. Learning who we all are and opening conversation about each of our roles has been eye opening and we are loving each conversation. Want to visit with us, find us at www.collaborationra.com! We would love to get to know you!

Brandy Cusson (RT, A.S., PBT) and Terrence Licciardi (RT, RPA) come on to visit about New Hampshire legislation. Ms. Cusson is the President of the New Hampshire Society of Radiology Technologist (NHSRT) and currently sits a Chair on the NH Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Licensing Board. Mr. Licciardi Is a constituent of NH and sits as the Chair for the Certification Board of Radiology Practitioner Assistants (CBRPA).

Together they walk host Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) through the start of the passage of state licensure, current state licensure processes, and legislation that was placed in 2023 to revoke the state board. We share on the effects that legislation like this has for the state, patients and the profession. We talk about advocacy, ways to advocate, and why it is a valuable process for us all to work together to ensure proper state recognition!

Below you can find all the attached links to all the information discussed in this episode:

NHSRT: http://www.nhsrt.net

NH HB 2: https://legiscan.com/NH/bill/HB2/2023

NH Licensing Board: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/advisory-board-medical-imaging-and-radiation-therapy

NH Law (Current): https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XXX-328-J.htm

NH constituents contact in opposition of HB 2:

Gov Sununu:  https://new-hampshire.my.salesforce-sites.com/support/GOV_Opinion

OPLC Director: [email protected]

NH State Rep Kenneth Weyler.  (he sponsored the budget bill) [email protected]

Chair of the finance committee. [email protected]

Vice Chair of the finance comm: [email protected]

House Finance Comm ( group email for all) : [email protected]

Chair of the House ED&A Committee: [email protected]

Vice Chair of the ED&A Comm:  [email protected]

Your local elected State Sen and State Rep.

House ED&A Comm (group email to all members): [email protected]

NH Senate Finance Comm: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

NH Senate ED&A: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

This week we sit down with Jennifer Thompson (Ed.D, MSM, BSRT, RT (R)(QM)(ARRT)) to discuss Tennessee HB 1388 and SB 1191. Ms. Thompson guides us through a timeline of prior TN law, leading us into today's legislative concerns with removing state licensure of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals and LMRT guidelines.

All the topics that are discussed have been provided with supportive documentation to better understand where the support of this information can be found and to help understand how the passage of this legislation could allow for LMRT (Limited Licensure Radiologic Technologist) and uncertified technologist to function in advanced imaging from current state laws.

Rad board minutes:

https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/xray-board/xray-board/xray-meeting-minutes.html

2008 rules

https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0880/0880-05.pdf

2017 statute

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/pc1029.pdf 

2023 introduced legislation

https://legiscan.com/TN/text/SB1191/2023

Amendment

https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Amend/SA0132.pdf

TN LMRT Training/Zoom Courses:

This is the company:

https://radiologyeducationseminars.com/

The schedule of classes

https://radiologyeducationseminars.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-RES-Schedule.pdf

Rules for courses

https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0880/0880-05.pdf

Radiology and imaging errors reports:

2019

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2019_Report.pdf

2018

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2018_Health_Care_Liability_Claim_Report.pdf

2017

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2017_Health_Care_Liabilty_Claims_Annual_Report.pdf

2016

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2016_Health_Care_Liability_Annual_Report.pdf

2015

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2015_Health_Care_Liability_Claims_Annua__Report.pdf

2014

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2014HealthCareLiabilityClaimsReport.pdf

2013

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2013HealthCareLiabilityReport.pdf

2012

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/insurance/posts/2012_Health_Care_Liability_Claims_Report.pdf

Texas RT/LMRT/Non-Certified Technologist Laws:

HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS:

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194&rl=17
ALL RAD LAWS:

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194&sch=A&rl=Y
QUICK GUIDE:

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194&rl=10
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194&rl=21

DEFINITIONS: 

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=194&rl=2

Jonathan Marx (RT, RRA) comes on the open mic to join hosts Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) and Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) to share in conversation over our profession. Mr. Marx's episode is so much about our background as medical imagers and how the advancement into other modalities/RRA offers elevation of the entire profession. This hits home, as it is just as much about our foundation as it is about how valuable our skillsets are as medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals! No one can do it better than you can!!!

Mr. Marx shares so much about how he started in radiology, why he chose the RA profession, and how our imaging background elevates our procedure rooms when working along side our radiologist. We get to hear his take on the advancement of MARCA, why others should support it, and what he hopes the future will bring to the RA. He openly shares what advancing the education for medical imagers can do and how it would achieve us the definition of a "professional".

This episode so so much fun! We encourage you to check out Catheter Jockeys, where that are plenty of opportunities to laugh at some of the lighter sides of our profession. We are truly grateful for the friendships that we have with the hosts of Catheter Jockeys and it was a joy to have Mr. Marx on to get to know more about him.

Check them out on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Catheter-Jockeys-Radiology-Tech-Podcast/dp/B09VR9HPP3

In this episode Danielle Bradbury (MIS, RT(R), RRA) comes on the mic with us to share how she made her way into radiology and the different avenues her career path has taken.  She shares advice on how to enter the industry side of things, what that looks like, and the options that are out there to progress into.  We spend some time midway through going over the new advancements in imaging technology and the newest robotic product that is assisting our Radiologist in better tissue sampling during biopsy performance.  *Disclaimer:  For complete indication of use and safety information of XACT products, please visit their website at www.xactrobotics.com.* 

Danielle shares how she hopes this technology will inspire our imaging profession and enhances our knowledge base as our profession continues to grow and modernize with medicine. We continue the conversation and share on her education and career as Radiologist Assistant (RA) and some of the devastating hardships she faced with a lay off, billing, and legislation.  Hosts Reece Burgoon (RT (R) and Marcelene Forbus (RT (R), RPA) share their same experiences in these hardships. Marcelene also speaks on being laid off and how billing is the largest contributor to the hardships that many RA professionals have, and still continue to have.  

Together we look for the common ground in understanding the profession as a whole, advocacy, and how to continue in a positive direction in proper recognition of our professionals.  It was such a pleasure to sit down with Mrs. Bradbury and get the opportunity to hear her perspective on advocacy and the progression of our profession.  

Want to come on air with us, reach out to us at [email protected].  We would love to get to know you, hear your stories, and connect with you.  Thank you to all our listeners for taking the time and spending some of your day with us.  You support is valued and we have enjoyed bringing these conversations to you.

This podcast was not sponsored; our views are our own and this was an opportunity to hear each of our experiences working in the Medical Imaging industry.

Featured guest, Kristin Beinschroth (MPH, BSRS, RT (R), CHES), joins us to share on many of the current events happening within our profession and the effects they have on each of us.  We are follow many of Mrs. Beinschroth's social media accounts and love how she uses this to connect with students and those of us in the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy communities. 

During this episode we learn about what inspired her move from working as a technologist and progressed not only in becoming an educator but also advancing her own education at the same time.  She speaks passionately about advocacy and what that involvement has looked like to her.  You can tell Mrs. Beinschroth is passionate about working towards inspiring others to find their voice.  This is demonstrated as we speak on various states and what current legislation is out there that directly effects all of us.

Mrs. Beinschroth shares on the Radiologist Assistant (RA) profession and how advocating for everyone in the profession directly supports each of us.  We dig deep into a recent peer review article that was released (and has since been edited) that initially gave an inaccurate depiction of the RA profession.  We are extremely happy to see these changes made in the article after this episode was recorded!  We felt it was important to also demonstrate how this inaccurate depiction can impact those of us in the industry and that the correct information needs to be presented from the start.

Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) and Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA) loved being able to have the opportunity to sit and visit with Mrs. Beinschroth and hearing all about her start and career in our industry.  Her ease of conversation and willingness to be open were so natural and felt throughout this episode.  Thank you to all our Listeners!  

Want to come on?  Find us at www.collaborationra.com and send us an email, we would love to hear from you!  

This week fellow RA, Robert Evers (MSc, RT (R) (MR) (CV) (CT), RRA), joins hosts Marcelene Forbus (RT (R), RPA) and Reece Burgoon (RT (R), RRA) and shares with us his pathways through his extensive career.  We get to learn about how his RT role led him through his career path as a Director of Operations and Physician Practice Manager and how others can venture down the liaison route.

Together we share our thoughts on the struggles between the RT and RA education but how rewarding the career path has been when it is all said and done.  We share about where Mr. Evers is currently working and how the RA roles work well with residents, attending, and board certified radiologist.  We also spend some time sharing his raw thoughts on MARCA and discuss what advocacy has looked like.

What we enjoyed most about this episode is that it takes us through so many of the hardships and successes that our profession has faced over the years.  In the end we share the same conclusion that to reach the success we want for our profession it will require lifting one another up and inspiring support for the advancement of the RA.

Thank you to everyone for the continued support, endless advocacy, and encouragement when many of us have felt unheard.  Together we can make BIG impacts and that's the goal of this podcast!  If you would like to join in the conversation, look for us at www.collaborationRA.com!  WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

On this episode we got to sit down with educator, Jennifer Clayton RT (R), and her former student, Sydney Kasner (RT (R) (M), as we hit some of the harder less talked about topics.  The start out by sharing how they got their starts in the medical imaging industry and the journey that they have had leading them through their professional careers.

Together we hit one of the harder and less talked about topics...how students are feeling less respected or treated unkindly during their clinical rotations.  While hosts Marcelene Forbus (RT, RPA)  and Reece Burgoon (RT, RRA) share personal stories on the topic they also share in the understanding of the hardships that lay on technologist and students alike.  Together we all share on solutions in the end to help mend, move forward, and open conversations.

We hit heavy into advocacy and the importance of becoming involved in legislation at a state and national level.  We take notice of the fact that memberships and involvement is down from what we remember in the past.  During the discussion many great topics are brought up to help enlighten us on what involvement can look like and what different board functions serve to do for our profession.

We are truly grateful to our listeners as we know some of these topics were very different than most.  Hitting on things in our industry can be hard to openly discuss and we were grateful to have the opportunity to hear a different perspective.  Ms. Clayton and Ms. Kasner we cannot thank you enough for your support and encouraging others to be open in conversation and advocacy on all levels.

This week we had the honor of sitting down with two Radiation Therapists, Clodagh Starrs (MSC, PCG, RTT) and Samantha Skubish (MS, RTT), to talk about the new advanced role as an Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist (APRT).  Exciting thing happening in our Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Community!!!

In this episode we ask several questions that we are sure are on your minds.  We talk about how this advancement came about to where do we see the future of the advancement for Radiation Therapist and higher education.  Ms. Skubish and Ms. Starrs did an excellent job at explaining how they brought this concept from over seas into the US and how Ms. Starrs has helped for kick starting this program in the US.

Listen in as they share about the support and funding efforts that are in place to help drive the research and the development of the APRT.  Marcelene and Reece spend time sharing similarities between the APRT and the RA and how they benefit the physicians and staff.  

We want to thank everyone for taking time to listen and support the podcast!  Our profession is growing in tremendous ways and we are excited to share with you how amazing our industry is!  Ms. Skubish and Ms. Starrs, we personally want to say thank you for taking the time to share with our listeners all your hard work and efforts in pioneering this new role in Radiation Therapy.