Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic Technologist

Jannie Shelnutt

HCA 322 Health Care Ethics and Medical Law

Instructor Linda Hoppe

February 16, 2013

Radiologic Technologist

As a health care professional, we are faced with ethical and legal issues. The way in which a health care professional responds to these issues is extremely important. All radiologic technologists are governed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). The ARRT has set forth a Standards of Ethics, which "provides proactive guidance on what it means to be qualified and to motivate and promote a culture of ethical behavior within the profession. The ethics requirements support the ARRT's mission of promoting high standards of patient care by removing or restricting the use of the credential by those who exhibit behavior inconsistent with the requirements" (ARRT., 2012). The ARRT and American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) have jointly developed the Radiologic Technologists Code of Ethics, which help to guide the medical imaging profession when faced with ethical dilemmas.

Ethics and medical law impact all health care professionals. "Health care professionals are governed by ethical codes, which demand a high level of integrity, honesty, and responsibility. Professional codes of ethics for health care professionals have been developed to guide those who are faced with ethical dilemmas" (Pozgar, 2012. p.310). A radiologist technologist is to always conduct themselves as a professional, while administering the highest quality of care to each and every patient. Each R.T. should be well acquainted with the rules, regulations, and policies assigned to this profession by the governing body, in order to be address any issues that may occur so not to compromise the quality of care to the patient.

The ARRT Standards of Ethics can be broken down into two parts: Codes of Ethics and Rules of Ethics. "The Code of Ethics shall serve as a guide by which Certificate Holders and Candidates may evaluate their professional conduct as it relates to patients, healthcare consumers, employers, colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team. The Code of Ethics is intended to assist Certificate Holders and Candidates in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct and in providing for the protection, safety, and comfort of patients. The Code of Ethics is aspirational". The Code of Ethics is comprised of the following ten points(ARRT, 2012).

1. The radiologic technologist acts in a professional manner, responds to patient needs, and supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care.

2. The radiologic technologist acts to advance the principal objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.

3. The radiologic technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by the concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, or socio-economic status.

4. The radiologic technologist practices technology founded upon theoretical knowledge and concepts, uses equipment and accessories consistent with the purposes for which they were designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately

5. The radiologic technologist assesses situations; exercises care, discretion, and judgment; assumes responsibility for professional decisions; and acts in the best interest of the patient.

6. The radiologic technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent