TECHNOLOGIST NEWS ================= ## NEW CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR NMT PROGRAMS Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology in the nuclear medicine field and continually redefined roles of nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs), SNM is publishing the third edition of the *Curriculum Guide for Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine* in time to make copies available at this month’s Annual Meeting. The latest edition of this guide was written by SNM-TS members Kathleen Murphy, Kristen Waterstram-Rich, and Patricia Wells, with contributions from many others. The authors used recent surveys conducted by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology as well as the extensive Practice Analysis conducted by SNM-TS and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists to make their revision relevant for those teaching tomorrow’s NMTs. The guide is available on-line at the Web sites of both the American Society of Radiologic Technologists ([www.asrt.org](http://www.asrt.org)) and SNM ([www.snm.org](http://www.snm.org)). For any institution that is offering an NMT program, this curriculum guide is the definitive source for the educational objectives of the professional component of the program. *—Cheryl Johnston, SNM Staff Writer* ## PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE ### CARE Bill Update We had 48 cosponsors on H.R. 1011 at press time. The newest cosponsors are: * Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) * Rep. David Wu (D-OR) * Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) * Rep. Peter King (R-NY) * Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) * Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) * Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR) * Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) * Rep. Norman Dicks (D-WA) * Rep. Felix Grucci (R-NY) * Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS) * Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) * Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN) On the Senate side, we are still in the “two steps forward, one step back” pattern with Senator Kennedy’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee staff. We have been working diligently to meet the Senator’s needs for information and evidence of need for licensure while urging introduction of the Senate version. We continue to be supportive of the Senator’s work on the CARE bill and still feel that he is the best Senate sponsor for this legislation. ### State Licensure New York is moving closer to NMT licensure. Meanwhile, Senate Bill S5654 and Assembly Bill A09925 are in the Rules Committee and the Health Committee, respectively. Technologists in New York are being asked to write their legislators and urge them to pass the bills with amendments that specifically allow NMTs to start IVs for their own studies and to inject interventional pharmaceuticals as covered by the SNM’s new *Scope of Practice* (see pages 64−66). The Maryland General Assembly has passed House Bill (HB) 518 and sent it to the governor. The bill adds radiation oncology and therapy technologists to the list of licensed professionals, requires that nuclear medicine technologists (and others) practice under the supervision of a licensed physician, and declares that the failure of the physician to properly supervise the technologists is unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine. The text of the bill can be found at [www.mlis.state.md.us](http://www.mlis.state.md.us) by clicking on the “Bill Information and Status” hyperlink and inserting “HB518” in the Search Box. The Iowa Department of Public Health has amended state regulations to allow the establishment of on-the-job-training (OJT) programs in nuclear medicine technology in the state, effective May 2002. Persons who complete an approved training program and pass an examination administered by the ARRT or NMTCB will be given a permit to work in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health will be approving the qualifications of the OJT instructor as well as the program content. While undergoing training, OJT students can only work under the tutelage and supervision of the approved trainer. ### No CMS Coverage of FDG PET to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee endorsed the Diagnostic Imaging Panel’s January recommendation that CMS *not cover* FDG PET for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Drs. Peter Conti and Kirk Frey represented SNM at the hearing. *—William Uffelman, SNM Director of Public Affairs and General Counsel* ## VOICE BOX ### Planning Local Meetings—A Guide to Success Continuing education meetings sponsored by SNM chapters, local groups, or hospitals are held all over the country. The following are some helpful tips for those of you who are new to planning a meeting and applying for VOICE credit. ### Tip 1: Evaluate the Educational Need and Select a Topic There are several resources one can use to determine the educational need of a given audience, such as self-evaluation, participant evaluations, and hospital, institution, and patient records. In addition, an educational activity might be considered necessary as new procedures, radiopharmaceuticals, or equipment are developed. ### Tip 2: Determine Your Audience and Assess Learning Needs Should this activity be designed for technologists, physicians, other health care professionals, or a combination of disciplines? Not only will you want to determine the audience, but you’ll also want to keep in mind how the audience can best learn the information. Should the activity be delivered as a large face-to-face meeting or would it be more effective as a small-group discussion? Is your audience made up of auditory, visual, or kinetic learners? Depending on your answer, you’ll want to design the educational activity in such a way that it offers information to cover the learning styles of the attendees. ### Tip 3: Define Learning Objectives Learning objectives are statements that specify what learners will know or be able to do as result of a learning activity. They should flow out of the needs assessment. Learning objectives should describe the knowledge, skills, or attitude needed to fulfill the desired outcome. ### Tip 4: Select a Speaker Qualified presenters include program planners and administrators as well as those who teach. Some organizations use specific criteria for selecting faculty and trainers. Others are less specific. Some key criteria include: command of subject matter, organization, willingness to teach, effective interpersonal skills, effective listening skills, and willingness to improve. ### Tip 5: Obtain Financial Support Some suggested sources are registration fees, educational grants from industry, hospital or institutional support, and local businesses. ### Tip 6: Marketing and Advertisement Some activities have low attendance due to lack of advertising. Be sure to establish a marketing plan well in advance. Your plan should include several strategies such as flyers, fax campaigns, chapter newsletters, and e-mail announcements. Don’t forget the very effective *word of mouth*! ### Tip 7: Apply for VOICE Credit Your completed VOICE application should be received in the SNM office at least 4 weeks before the continuing education activity. Although the application states that meetings will be considered for credit up to the day of the activity, it is not advised to wait. Allowing at least 4 weeks (longer for enduring materials such as videos, CD-ROMs, and written self-study activities) will ensure that you receive a credit designation letter and VOICE credit reporting forms within a week of your program. For more information regarding how to plan a meeting, you can check with your chapter president, continuing education liaison, and with the SNM Headquarters office. Meeting tips are also available on the SNM Web site, [www.snm.org,](http://www.snm.org,) at the Education link. To obtain a VOICE application, please contact Mary Bien, Education Assistant (703)708-9000, ext. 1230. *—Brenda Johnson, SNM Director of Education*