Associated Sciences Consortium
RSNA News continues its series highlighting the work of organizations working with RSNA in the Associated Sciences Consortium.
Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences (AEIRS)
"With so many pressures and challenges competing for educators' attention and resources, we strive to make the Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences (AEIRS) a worthwhile investment," said AEIRS president Mari P. King, Ed.D., RT(R), CDT. "It is our goal to provide professional networking opportunities and education that will enhance their professional development."
AEIRS, founded in 1967 as the Association of University Radiologic Technologists (AURT), has more than 500 members.
Networking with colleagues online and at professional meetings, the Spectrum newsletter and the peer-reviewed journal Radiologic Science and Education provide AEIRS members access to a strong community, said Dr. King. "Members are encouraged to communicate directly with board members and committee chairs, or through the executive office," she said.
AEIRS is working to provide more online resources for members. "We are also increasing networking and professional development opportunities for educators by partnering with other professional organizations, strengthening our efforts to identify potential educators, and growing new leaders by offering new educators the mentoring opportunities they need," Dr. King said. The organization is also offering opportunities such as research grants, scholarships, special projects and international travel for scholarly presentations, she added.
In March, AEIRS held its first New Educators Workshop in conjunction with the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists and North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists Student/Educator Seminar in Virginia Beach. AEIRS's second solo annual meeting will be held this summer.
Also this summer, the AEIRS Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology will hold a series of seminars in topics including accreditation and outcomes assessment. Also continuing are efforts to reach out to members in tough economic times, with opportunities such as advertising an open position free on the AEIRS online job board and the new "Invest in the Future" fund, which will help technologists who serve as clinical instructors to continue their education in a degree program.
Leadership opportunities through AEIRS ensure that all voices in all modalities are heard, Dr. King said. "Participation in RSNA's Associated Sciences Consortium, recommending appointees to certification boards, officially commenting on proposals by professional regulatory groups, collaborating in the development of curriculum standards, representing educators in the National Institute of Health's Radiology Research Academy—these give AEIRS a strong voice in the profession."
Resident Learning Portfolio Gains Ground
The RSNA/Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR) Resident Learning Portfolio now lists 86 registered institutions with more than 2,400 potential users. The portfolio is a free Web-based tool that can be customized with an institution's individual program materials to organize residents' educational progress and credentials.
Since the portfolio was launched in July 2008, approximately 228 administrators—program directors and coordinators—and 2,190 residents have been granted access. RSNA presented the portfolio at the Association of University Radiologists annual meeting this month and met with program directors and coordinators to get feedback.
Just as the current residency year draws to a close, the Resident Learning Portfolio will reach its first full year of use. RSNA is in the process of developing an archiving option for the graduating residents and making registration preparations for the new class of residents that will begin to use the portfolio this July.
Interested residents and program directors/coordinators can e-mail residents_portfolio@rsna.org to find out how to get their institution involved.
New Cases of the Day Available on InteractED®
Many of the RSNA 2008 Cases of the Day are now available online for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an RSNA member benefit. Included are cases in:
• Cardiac radiology
• Emergency radiology
• Gastrointestinal radiology
• Genitourinary radiology
• Musculoskeletal radiology
• Neuroradiology
• Nuclear medicine
• Obstetrics/gynecology
• Pediatric radiology
• Physics
• Ultrasound
• Vascular/interventional radiology
For more information, go to RSNA.org/education.
