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WHY JOIN THE AASRT? (an opinion)

Radiologic technologists continue to be 'under siege' by persons unconvinced of the role that competent radiographers play in the role of patient care and medical treatment.  Legislative attempts continue to be introduced that would legalize UNQUALIFIED persons to take radiographs.  A few well-intentioned physicians with no training as radiographers themselves want to teach office staff to push buttons claiming that their office is in a 'hardship' status because it cannot attract qualified radiographers.  (Of course, that office person is already willing to work at a salary at or slightly above, minimum wage.)  Should prospective patients in rural communities settle for a lesser standard of care?  These initiatives not only place the public at higher risk, (how can inferior images be expected to reveal all anatomical anomalies that are present?) but pose long term employment problems for competent radiographers.

    Certified technologists can no longer sit passively and let 'others' speak for them.  Numbers speak volumes.  There are more than 16,000 General Certificate RTs in Texas.  Approximately 1600 belong to the Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists.  If this statewide average of 10% doesn't sound bad to you, realize that the numbers are LOWER in South Texas.  When legislators ask the Texas Medical Association (physicians) and Hospital Administrators what THEIR statistics are (and they are much better), who do you think gets listened to?  For all of the technologists in the San Antonio region, the local Society (AASRT) should have at least 5 times its present number of members.  Yes, there are limits to our discretionary spending, but please consider the value to your profession by joining the AASRT, the TSRT, and the ASRT.

    You MUST get involved, or very simply, your future is going to crumble from beneath you.  It is time to put a few of your dollars, a little time, and your voice to work for you.  If my old social studies teacher is right, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem!" 

John Mayes, RT(R) 


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