A radiologist assistant (RA) is a crucial member of the
radiological team. The RA works under the supervision of a radiologist,
performing many different tasks and providing patient care. An RA can find a
career in a hospital, out-patient clinic, or other medical center. The salary
for an RA ranges from around $90,000 to around $112,000. The duties of the RA
fall under three major areas, the first involving patient assessment and
management. This area includes determining whether or not the patient has been
properly prepared for the upcoming procedure, answering questions the patient
and family may have, ensuring each patient receives quality care, obtaining
consent from the patient prior to the procedure, and always working to improve
the quality of diagnostics by modifying exam protocols.
The RA’s second
major area of responsibility involves performing certain procedures and
examinations under the supervision of a radiologist. An RA may perform a
fluoroscopy (producing images of internal organs using an x-ray machine) and
certain diagnostic procedures for the peripheral venous system. They may assist
the radiologist in invasive procedures and place nasoenteric and oroenteric
feeding tubes in some patients. And the third area of responsibility for a
radiology assistant is evaluating the quality of acquired images and making the
first observations of them. They then forward the information to the radiologist
who will handle the final interpretation or diagnosis.
To become a
radiologist assistant, there are five basic steps that must be completed. First,
a potential RA must begin by training as a radiographer, during which they will
learn to operate Radiographers generally have at least a certificate or
associate’s degree in radiography. However, students wishing to become a
radiologist assistant must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Second, the
potential RA must complete the prerequisites required for admission into a
radiologist assistant program. There are two requirements: certification as a
radiographer and two to three years of work experience as a radiology
technician.
The third step in this process is enrollment into a
nationally recognized RA program. This is a two year program that includes
coursework and a radiologist directed clinical internship. Once this program is
completed, the next step is certification. Individuals must receive
certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in
order to become a Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.). Certification
involves graduating from an ARRT accepted educational program and presenting a
“clinical portfolio”, which consists of documentation of clinical experience,
competency assessments, professional achievements and activities, case studies,
and the summary assessment of internship from the supervising radiologist. The
candidate must have earned a baccalaureate degree to become certified. To
continue as an R.R.A., individuals must renew registration annually.
Certification expires after ten years, so in order to retain their
certification, R.R.A.s must meet continuing qualifications. An R.R.A. must
complete fifty credits of continuing education every two years to remain
certified. After certification is obtained, the final step in becoming an RA is
obtaining a license. There are varying licensing guidelines depending on the
state. Right now there are twenty-nine states that offer licensing for RAs.
