Content area
Full Text
Radiology administrators play a crucial role in the management of medical imaging departments and imaging centers. In an effort to enhance the value of the radiology administrator and to provide a standardized assessment of the knowledge and performance of those who fill this position, the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) has developed a Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) Program.
"As far back as 10 years ago, the AHRA began soliciting feedback from members about how to enhance radiology administrators," said Thomas Redman, Director of Medical Imaging, Prince William Hospital, Manassas, VA, and Chair of the AHRA's Radiology Administration Certification Commission. "The ideas considered included creating a degree program or an advanced certification. Because many radiology administrators came up through the technical ranks-many having been technologists at one time-they were used to the idea of certification. It was a natural progression for those reaching the administrative arena to say that some sort of certification would enhance their status in the profession."
Following a feasibility study and other market research, including interviewing more than 400 AHRA members, Redman recalls, "It was decided that a certification program was the best opportunity to generate the greatest impact on the industry, especially since there weren't any other certification programs available in radiology administration."
Based on the data collected, the CRA program was developed in 2001 with the help of a 5-year, $1 million grant from Kodak Health Imaging (Rochester, NY). The first certification exam was administered in July 2002.
"Some of the CRA objectives," explained Redman, "were to raise the business acumen of imaging administrators and to provide a standardized assessment of the performance of a radiology administrator. We also wanted to recognize professionals for their expertise and the way to get that recognition in radiology management is through this certification process."
In order to obtain this certification, radiology administration personnel must first qualify to sit for the exam based on 7-point eligibility criteria. Points are earned through education, experience, and/or credentials (Table). Candidates...