The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is looking for help from professionals working in bone densitometry. We encourage you to review the proposed changes to the Bone Densitometry Examination Content Specifications and Clinical Experience Requirements.
Our goal is to produce comprehensive, accurate, and fair documents that cover the knowledge and cognitive skills required of bone densitometrists. ARRT’s examinations are job-related. That is, we only include topics if knowledge of those topics relates directly to a clinical activity typically required in one’s job. A survey of possible tasks and procedures was sent to 1,000 current bone densitometrists to determine these topics. Results from this survey were used to update the content specifications and clinical experience requirements.
ARRT’s Bone Densitometry Practice Analysis Committee (composed of subject matter experts from throughout the nation) began working on these documents in March 2020 and will complete work on them this spring. After that, ARRT’s Board of Trustees will review the proposed changes. The revised bone densitometry documents have a scheduled implementation date of July 1, 2022.
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS
In the Patient Care section, technologist ergonomics and infection control were added.
In the Image Production section, software errors and upgrades were added.
In the Procedures section, vertebral exclusion was added to lumbar spine DXA scanning. Forearm length was added to forearm DXA scanning.
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory and elective procedures cannot be counted on the same patient on the same day.
‘Perform and analyze VFA scan using DXA equipment’ with a minimum repetition of five was added to the Elective Procedures list.
REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK
We invite you to review the documents below and provide feedback through on online survey (live until April 2, 2021). The survey is the official method by which we track feedback. The Bone Densitometry Practice Analysis Committee will review all comments and may make additional changes based on your feedback.
Note: In the drafts, additions are in blue and deletions are in strikethrough red.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about how the proposed changes may affect your eligibility for certification and registration in Bone Densitometry, call our Initial Certification Department at 651.687.0048. Choose the option for earning an ARRT credential.
Thank you for your contribution to this important project.