ACE Campaign Shines Light on R.T. Role

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Elevating the status of the nation's radiologic technologists has been an ongoing goal of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Now the ASRT is taking its efforts to the next level with the ACE campaign.

Created to help educate patients about the radiologic technologist's role on the health care team, ACE is an easy acronym that reminds R.T.s to:

• Announce your name.
• Communicate your credentials.
• Explain what you're going to do.

By following these steps, R.T.s can improve communication with patients, raise awareness of their education and skills, and establish their expertise as medical imaging or radiation therapy professionals.

"We're committed to making sure patients know that radiologic technologists' number one goal is patient safety," said ASRT President Julie Gill, Ph.D., R.T.(R)(QM). "ASRT members have told us that they'd like patients to have a better understanding of their role and responsibilities. The ACE campaign provides technologists with tools to raise their profile among patients as well as among other health care professionals."

As part of the campaign, every ASRT member will receive materials to promote the profession and communicate with patients. In October, members received a poster that educates patients about R.T.s' role in providing top-notch patient care. The poster is designed to be displayed in patient waiting rooms, exam rooms and dressing rooms. In November, ASRT members will receive cards that patients can use to record their medical imaging and radiation therapy exams.

In addition to promoting the ACE acronym, poster and patient cards, ASRT is asking members to participate in the campaign's Click To Commit initiative at www.asrt.org/ace. In clicking to commit, R.T.s promise to incorporate the ACE campaign's educational materials and principles into their daily interactions with patients. It's a way for technologists to demonstrate their commitment to elevating the profession.

"We hope R.T.s will embrace the ACE campaign and use the educational materials to their fullest," said Dr. Gill. "The campaign is a positive step toward making sure patients know that radiologic technologists are highly qualified, well educated professionals."

About ASRT

The ASRT represents more than 152,000 members who perform medical imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy. The Society is the largest radiologic science association in the world. Its mission is to advance the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to enhance the quality of patient care.

Contact: Annemarie Ciepiela Henton, 505-298-4500, Ext. 1287, [email protected]

SOURCE American Society of Radiologic Technologists