ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has conferred the 2020 ASRT Award for Advocacy to The Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists, Jennifer Clayton, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(CT), of Oregon, and Nicholas Gimmi, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(CT), CRA, of Virginia.

The ASRT Award for Advocacy acknowledges achievements in advocacy efforts and highlights ASRT's commitment to supporting affiliates and radiologic technologists who defend professional standards and protect patient safety through regulatory and legislative action.

The Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists has built important connections with stakeholders to secure higher standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy services in the state. MSRT President Scott Haglund, M.A.Ed., LAT, ATC, R.T.(R), says "Networking connections through the ASRT, ARRT, the Minnesota Radiological Society lobbyist and Minnesota affiliate membership have proved invaluable to our advocacy efforts." The group worked tirelessly with Minnesota Radiation Control in updating regulations so they better benefit patients and the radiologic technology profession. The society has also laid the foundation for radiologic technologist licensure in Minnesota. Currently the profession is only regulated through the radiation control program and the MSRT supports full licensure as the best model to ensure patient safety.

During the 2019 legislative session, the Society successfully added amendments to Senate Bill 966 and House Bill 819 to ensure cardiovascular technologists who operate fluoroscopy equipment must meet strict education requirements and work under practice restrictions.

Jennifer Clayton, M.B.A., R.T.(R)(CT), has been a formidable voice for radiologic technologists in Oregon. She attends quarterly meetings of the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging and reports issues of concern to the Oregon Society of Radiologic Technologists and ASRT. She has testified at hearings and spoken to legislators about preventing encroachment by advanced practice registered nurses. Colleague Barbara Smith, M.S., R.T.(R)(QM), FASRT, said one of the biggest impacts Jennifer has had for Oregon technologists was halting a move by advanced practice registered nurses to perform fluoroscopy examinations by limiting APRNs only to supervising fluoroscopy exams performed by a licensed radiologic technologist. Now, before supervising fluoroscopy, an APRN now must complete a fluoroscopy competence assessment examination after meeting fluoroscopy education requirements.

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