The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is looking for help from working professionals in mammography. We encourage you to review the proposed changes to the Mammography 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 mammographers. 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 was sent to about 1,000 current mammographers to determine these topics.
ARRT’s Mammography Practice Analysis & CQR Advisory Committee (composed of subject matter experts from throughout the nation) began working on these documents in July 2018 and will complete work on them later this year. After that, ARRT’s Board of Trustees will review the proposed changes. The revised mammography documents have a scheduled implementation date of July 1, 2020.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MAMMOGRAPHY EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS
Patient Care Section
The breast treatment options area was updated to include the addition of new hormone therapies under nonsurgical options.
Image Production Section
Enhancing Quality Using the Inspection Program (EQUIP) was added to the quality assurance and evaluation section. Quality control tests are referenced in the ACR Mammography Quality Control Manual (2018).
Procedures Section
The pathology section was updated with current BI-RADS® terminology. The caudocranial (FB), lateromedial oblique (LMO), and superolateral-to-inferomedial oblique (SIO) views were removed. Ductography/galactography procedures were also removed. Ultrasound core biopsy, interventional imaging, and handling and disposing of biohazardous material were added.
Additionally, we updated wording on multiple topics for clarification and consistency.
SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Compression thickness indicator test and facility QC review were added to the QC documentation section.
- In the elective procedures area, ductography/galactography was removed. Stereotactic specimen imaging, surgical specimen imaging, and localization imaging were added.
- The total number of required mandatory and elective procedures remained the same.
- Additionally, we updated wording for clarification and consistency.
REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK
We invite you to review the documents below and provide feedback through an online survey (live until March 29, 2019). The survey is the official method by which we track feedback. The Mammography Practice Analysis & CQR Advisory Committee will review all comments and may make additional changes based on your feedback.
Note: Additions are in blue and deletions are in strikethrough red in the drafts.
Proposed Examination Content Specifications
Proposed Clinical Experience Requirements
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about how the proposed changes may affect your eligibility for certification and registration in Mammography, call our Initial Certification Department at 651.687.0048. Choose the option for earning an ARRT credential.
If you have questions about the proposed changes to these documents, contact our Examination Requirements and Psychometrics Department at 651.681.3106.
Thank you for your contribution to this important project!