Radiology Forums

daveyj · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I'm wondering if any of you guys are RA's or RPA's. I'm looking for more information on these two fields. I've read everything there is to read on ARRT and ASRT and whatever else I could find on the internet. I can't find any information that is current. I'm wondering if these fields are going to be in demand. I want to hear from real people who have real life experience either working as one or working with one. I know there are only a hand ful of schools who offer these programs, and only one school (Weber State University in Utah) that offers the Radiologist Practitioner Assistant (RPA) program. What are your thoughts on it? Do you have any? Does anyone care?

daveyj · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I guess nobody knows anything about these two fields. Seems like this forum isn't visited very frequently. Maybe it was a stupid question.

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 609 Location: CT

This is not a stupid question - all forums are a little less busy this time of year - people doing other things.

OK, here goes.

You can find current info here http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=radasst/raintro.htm

and there is a current list of educational programs here:
https://www.asrt.org/content/RTs/SpecialtySpecific/RadiologistAssistant/RA_Educational_Programs.aspx.

Also see here:

http://www.aapa.org/gandp/rpas.html

and it might be a good idea to ask your questions here: http://radiologypa.blog.com/

This can be a charged topic - there are strong feelings by physicians, RA's and RPA's about the role of a physician extender, the qualitifications of RA's/RPA's .. and there are people on all sides who will beat you to death with it.

Me? I'm an RT for 28 years, happy to be one. I now work in Imaging IT. I enjoyed my time working in direct patient care, but I'm glad I'm doing what I do.

You? I hope you find the answers you're looking for.

radrounds · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 4 Location: New York

CTDave