FAQ - RadComm On-line Courses

 


  1. What types of materials are offered?
  2. Are these Topics in Mammography courses approved?
  3. Are the Topics in Mammography courses designed for continuing education purposes or for initial training requirements?
  4. I work on digital mammography equipment. Are there any specific requirements for Full-field Digital Mammography (FFDM)?
  5. What are the MQSA Initial Training Requirements for mammography?
  6. Can I legally perform mammograms if I am not ARRT-registered in Mammography?
  7. I am an ARRT-registered technologist and I would like to specialize in Mammography. How do I become a mammographer?
  8. I am an ARRT-registered technologist and I would like to take the ARRT examination for mammography. What are the eligibility requirements?
  9. Can our radiologists complete these mammography courses for CME credits?
  10. Why would I choose home-study mammography courses instead of attending a mammography seminar?
  11. I live in Florida / I live in Iowa. Are these courses approved by these states?
  12. Do these mammography courses have expiration dates?
  13. Can several mammographers share the Topics in Mammography study guides and receive a discount?
  14. How fast can I obtain and complete the mammography courses? We have an inspection next week!
  15. How long does it take to complete the Topics in Mammography courses?
  16. Can I earn credit for the same Topics in Mammography course more than once in a biennium?
  17. Can you explain the different mammography continuing education requirements?
  18. I have done mammography home study courses in the past and I found them to be confusing and tedious. What is the level of difficulty with the Topics in Mammography?

1. What types of materials are offered?
Our Topics in Mammography home-study courses are offered in printed study guides and online (pdf) format. The mammographer reads the material then completes a post-test. The post-test can be returned to us via mail or fax for correction. Upon successful completion, a certificate is emailed, faxed or mailed to the mammographer.

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2. Are the Topics in Mammography courses approved?
Yes, all our courses are AART-approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanisms (RCEEM).

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3. Are the Topics in Mammography courses designed for continuing education purposes or for initial training requirements?
These courses have been designed with BOTH purposes in mind. If you are unable to attend an Initial Training Seminar, you can obtain the necessary education in a self-directed format. These courses contain the mammography curriculum required by the MQSA requirements. If you have selected RadComm, Inc. for your Initial Training in Mammography, we recommend that you complete the 40-credit program , which is a comprehensive study. Our Visual Mammography Review, newly updated to contain Digital Mammography, is a valuable study tool available on CD as well. You may also wish to use our Mammography Mock Registry Review in preparation for the ARRT examination. Mammographers seeking Continuing Education Credits also benefit from our courses. The Topics in Mammography series has generated a positive response in the Mammography community nationwide.

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4. I work on digital mammography equipment. Are there any specific requirements for Full-field Digital Mammography (FFDM)?MQSA Final Regulations require that you obtain 8 credit hours of training in Digital Mammography before performing mammograms on digital equipment. Briefly stated, the 8 hours of training does NOT have to be obtained in a seminar or in the form of CE credits.. For a detailed explanation, visit our Useful Information page and click on the MQSA FFDM/DBT Training Policies document. There are no specific continuing education requirements for digital mammography after you have obtained the 8 initial hours of training.

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5. What are the MQSA Initial Training Requirements for mammography? First, you must be a registered radiologic technologist or licensed by a state in general radiography. You must complete 40 hours of documented mammography training with a qualified instructor. The content of the material must include breast anatomy and physiology, positioning, breast compression, QA/QC procedures and special training in breast implants. If you will be operating digital mammography equipment, you must include 8 hours of full-field digital training as well. You must perform 25 mammograms under direct supervision. These 25 mammograms are worth up to 12.5 credits and can be applied toward the 40 hours of initial training. In summary, 27.5 hours of instruction + the performance of 25 supervised mammograms = the required 40 hours of training. (Attention California techs: The state of California requires 40 hours of instruction + the performance of 25 supervised mammograms to fulfill the initial training requirement. CA technologists must take the CA Certification Mammography Exam before the performance of the 25 mammograms.) For more detailed information, visit our link at http://www.radcomm.net/site/initial_training.htm

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6. Can I legally perform mammograms if I am NOT ARRT-registered in Mammography?
Yes. The federal government (FDA) requires that you are qualified under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). They do not specify that you must be ARRT-registered in Mammography. However, most employers would prefer that you are ARRT-registered or that you are working towards that goal.

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7. I am an AART-Registered technologist and I would like to specialize in Mammography. How do I become a mammographer?
Briefly explained, you must become MQSA-compliant by completing 40 hours of specific mammography training and performing 40 supervised mammograms. For more detailed information, follow our link to the Useful Information page and click on "How to Become a Mammographer".

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8. I am an ARRT-registered technologist and I would like to take the ARRT examination for mammography. What are the eligibility requirements?
A. Contact the ARRT at (651) 687-0048, extension 8560 (Examination and Certification Department) to request the Mammography Certification Handbook. You may also download and print the information from the ARRT website at www.arrt.org. There is no charge for the Certification Handbook.
B. In addition to the 25 supervised mammograms required by MQSA, you must perform an additional 75 mammograms in preparation for the ARRT exam. The 100 total exams must be logged into the Mammography Certification Handbook.
C. You will also have to perform additional clinical experience requirements that must be completed prior to taking the ARRT Mammography examination.
There is a 2-year window in which to complete the MQSA and ARRT requirements.

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9. Can our radiologists complete these mammography courses for CME credits?
No, these mammography courses have only been approved for technologist use. They have not been submitted to physician governing bodies for approval.

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10. Why would I choose self-directed mammography courses instead of attending a mammography seminar?
We believe there are a number of advantages in choosing our Topics in Mammography home-study courses. • Convenience: You can study on your breaks at work or in your own home at whatever time is convenient for you. • Efficiency: The subject matter has been selected for the mammographer. The courses are organized so you can make the best use of your time. • Cost Effective: Consider the cost savings. Mammography seminars often require transportation costs, meals, and a hotel stay. You can avoid all these costs by performing a mammography home-study course. • Relevant: You will be able to use this information in your daily practice as a mammographer to improve your skills and become more knowledgeable.

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11. I live in Florida / I live in Iowa. Are these courses approved by these states?
Yes, these courses have received additional approval by the states of Florida. All other states recognize and accept ARRT-approved continuing education materials.

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12. Do these mammography courses have expiration dates?
Yes. All courses in the Topics in Mammography series are approved for a period of two years. We at RadComm, Inc. do not allow the courses to expire at that time. All courses are continually updated and resubmitted for renewal. Upon re-approval, the expiration date is extended another two years. We advise that you complete the coursework within one year of placing your order. We are unable to grant credit for coursework completed beyond a period of two years.

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13. Can several mammographers share the Topics in Mammography study guides and receive a discount?
Yes. technologists may share the study guides and/or PDF course downloads. Additional technologists may order answer sheets at a 20% discount by visiting our link

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14. How fast can I obtain and complete the mammography courses? We have an inspection next week!
The quickest method in this case is to use the On-Line Course option.
First, select the course/s you would like to take. After completing your payment information, you will be directed to a download page. Click on the link and save the course/s to your computer. Read the material, complete the answer sheet, and fax it back to us. Your certificate of completion will be returned promptly!

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15. How long does it take to complete the Topics in Mammography courses?
The number of credits is assigned by the ASRT during the approval process. Program reviewers read the coursework then calculate the number of credits by assigning every 50 minutes of reading time to 1.0 credit. Since everyone reads and comprehends differently, the reading time may vary. Mammographers with experience usually comprehend the material at a quicker pace and finish in less time. The time required to complete the post-test is not included in CE credit time.

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16. Can I earn credit for the same Topics in Mammography course more than once in a biennium?
No. The Topics in Mammography courses should be completed only once for credit. Even though you may review the material throughout the biennium, credit is reserved for the initial learning period and may not be repeated for credit during the same biennium or any subsequent biennium.

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17. Can you explain the different mammography continuing education requirements?
The ARRT does not have any specific CE requirements for mammography technologists. They do require that all technologists earn 24 credits every two years (12 credits per year) to renew their registry. Of the 12 credits per year, 5 credits must be mammography-specific. MQSA (FDA) requires 15 hours of mammography-specific continuing education every 36 months (3 years) for mammographers. For further clarification of these rules, please see our Rules and Regulations page.

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18. I have done mammography home-study courses before and I found them to be confusing and tedious. What is the level of difficulty with Topics in Mammography?
The Topics in Mammography courses and post-tests from RadComm, Inc. were written in a direct manner so you will not waste time searching for answers. Following each section, there is a set of study questions that direct you to important information. With the online PDF option, we recommend that you print the post-test questions before reading the course so you can answer the questions as you read. With the study guide booklets, we recommend that the mammographer highlight the answers to the study questions as she reads along. The answers for the post-test will be highlighted and in order when you complete the post-test. What could be easier?

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Feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have!