Online Radiology Continuing Education Information

Radiologic technologists assist physicians who diagnose and treat disease or injury using medical imaging techniques. They frequently specialize in one diagnostic imaging technique. Sonographic and nuclear medicine technologists are two types of specialists who require ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.

What Online Radiology Continuing Education Programs are Available for Sonographers and Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

Each of these radiologic specialties has its own organization that offers certification. Multiple subspecialties are also practiced in each. Continuing education is required to maintain certification.
Professional organizations evaluate proposed courses and programs submitted by many types of providers based on peer-reviewed guidelines. Approved online continuing education is available through professional associations, medical employers, private proprietary organizations, manufacturers of medical equipment and colleges or universities.
The rules governing maintenance of certifications are complex and subject to change. Sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists are advised to carefully choose among those recognized by their respective certifying organizations and the jurisdiction in which they practice.

What Continuing Education Programs are Available Online for Sonographers?

Sonography is the use of diagnostic equipment that bounces high frequency sound waves off tissues, records echoes and transforms them into dynamic visual images. Sonograms are often used to examine the heart, blood vessels, abdomen, breasts, prostate gland and female reproductive organs (www.caahep).
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers' (ARDMS) certifications are:

• Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS®)
• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS®)
• Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT®)

Online programs offering continuing education credits toward recertification are delivered by colleges, medical groups and private for-profit organizations (www. jrcdms.org). Enrollment is usually limited to recipients of a certificate or degree in sonography from a university or allied health provider.
Several corporations, including GE Healthcare Education Services, Siemens Customized Education Program and Sono World provide free online continuing medical education (CME) training for sonographers (www.ardms.org).

What Continuing Education Programs are Available Online for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

These technologists use trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to obtain bone, tissue and organ data. A special camera records an image created by gamma ray emissions (www.asrt.org).
Over 100 programs accredited by the Joint Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology award post-baccalaureate 1-year certificates, 2-year associate degrees and 4-year bachelor's degrees (www.jrcnmt.org). Graduates of these programs who are certified nuclear medicine technologists are required to earn continuing education credits in order to maintain certification.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section (SNMTS) offers its own Learning Center and online program for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements (www.snm.org). It also offers its own Continuing Education (CE) center featuring online lectures, workshops and webcasts.
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) conducts basic and specialty exams in nuclear medicine. Specialities include cardiology and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) (www.nmtcb.org).