MQSA Educational Requirements for Radiologists
The Food and Drug Administration oversees the Mammography Quality Standards Act and Program, originally passed by Congress in 1992. The program's standards for medical facilities are designed to ensure that women receive quality mammograms to detect cancer in its early stages. Its regulations provide facilities with the personnel standards required for MQSA certification. These standards apply to physicians, radiologists and medical physicists.
Radiology Education
Radiologists must have licensure in their states or certification from an FDA-approved institution in order to meet MQSA standards. Although every state board has different regulations, many of the states that require licensure follow the guidelines established by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. ARRT requires successful completion of a radiology academic program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these programs require students to take courses in the sciences, patient care, medical ethics, radiation procedures and diagnostic imaging principles. Accredited programs also require students to complete practical training in a clinical setting, which allows them to work with patients under the supervision of experienced radiologists in a medical facility.
Mammography Training
The MQSA's regulations state that certain radiologists must also complete specific mammography training in addition to their radiologic technology education. According to the FDA, those that met MQSA radiology education requirements after April 28, 1999, must obtain at least 40 hours of supervised mammography training. This training should include at least eight hours of instruction in each type of mammography technology, as well as education in anatomy, breast positioning, quality control, and proper imaging procedures for patients that have breast implants. MQSA regulations also state that the radiologist must perform at least 25 supervised mammograms during this training.
Continuing Education
Continuing education is a major component of maintaining licensure in many medical professions. Radiologists must further their education to maintain state licensure or ARRT certification, as well as meet MQSA standards. They must complete at least 15 units of mammography continuing education every three years between MQSA facility inspections. According to the FDA, six of those hours must involve the mammography technology the radiologist uses. Radiologists can also obtain continuing education credit through teaching-related courses. However, teaching credit can be counted only once during the three-year period, even if the radiologist teaches a course multiple times.
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