The 2010 Leadership Development Institute

By Melissa Budd, RTNM

The first Leadership Development Institute (LDI) was held in Ottawa on October 15-17, 2010. I was very excited to be one of the 14 medical radiation technologists selected from across the country. Participating in the LDI was of great interest to me as I hoped it would be a way to meet other young profes-sionals and develop effective leadership skills. The institute exceeded my expecta-tions, and I left on Sunday feeling energized and empowered by the weekend’s activities and sessions.

Over the course of the weekend, we engaged in many team-building exercises in conjunction with various sessions on effective leadership. We were given the opportunity to build on our knowledge and explore important aspects of leadership such as personality styles, communication skills, prob-lem solving and team building. Our facilitator, Sylvie Lapointe of L2 Emergence, was authentic and energizing. Her constant energy and ability to engage everyone in the room was motivating. Sylvie delivered her workshops in an interactive style that allowed all of the participants to be ac-tively involved in exploring leadership characteristics. I think that this type of delivery, paired with a fun and team-centred environment, helped cement our understanding of the principles we learned. ... p.10 ►

Publication Mail Agreement No. 40068990Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation Department

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists1000-85 Albert StreetOttawa Ontario K1P 6A4Tel: (613) 234-0012 or 1-800-463-9729Fax: (613) 234-1097www.camrt.ca

CAMRT news 2011Volume 29; No.1

What’s Inside...

Page 2Gaining through collaboration

Page 3Small town Prairie girl wins national title

Page 5Oh me!... Oh MRI!

Page 7A golden moment for Karen Smith

Page 10The “Image of Care” campaign

Page 11MRT Week around the world

Page 14Education news

Pages 15Announcements

President’s MessageShirley Bague, RTR, RTMR, ACR

The new year is less than a week old as I pen this column, and as always, I like to spend a few minutes taking stock of the highlights of the past year, and honouring the tradition of New Year’s resolutions by making a few of my own. As this month marks the end of my first year as CAMRT president, I am also reflecting on our or-ganizational accomplishments of the past 12 months, and celebrating them along with the arrival of 2011 and my second year as your president.

I am extremely proud of our new vision, mission and values statements, approved by the board of directors at the November meeting. These new documents clearly define the association’s future goals, current purpose and the principles on which the CAMRT operates. As always, the work that CAMRT does on your behalf owes greatly to the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers. The statements were developed by the Vision, Mission and Values working group, which led an inclusive process that involved consultation with the entire board and senior staff and then the creation of eloquent statements that resonate for members and stakeholders alike. They can be reviewed on our website.

I am also very pleased with how meaningful our presence on the world stage has been this year, with our attendance at the ISRRT conference in Australia, the SNM in Salt Lake City and last month at the RSNA conference in Chicago. ... p.4 ►

CAMRT news

CAMRT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011

President / Chair of the Board Shirley Bague, RTR, RTMR, ACR

President-ElectAmanda Bolderston, RTT, FCAMRT

Co-Vice President / Prince Edward IslandDeborah Murley, RTR

Treasurer / British ColumbiaKelly Nystedt, RTT

AlbertaWendy Martin-Gutjahr, RTR

ManitobaBrenda Badiuk, RTNM

New BrunswickJulie Henman-Cyr, RTR

Nova ScotiaCarol Anne Davis, RTT, ACT

NewfoundlandLoretta Metcalfe, RTR, ACR

Ontario Eleanor Roppel, RTR

QuébecMicheline Jette, t.e.m.n.

SaskatchewanGisela Yaroshko, RTR, ACR

Members-at-LargePatricia Munro, RTNMCaitlin Gillan, RTT

Gaining through collaborationCharles A. Shields, CEO

“Evidence indicates that when healthcare professionals work together sharing their knowledge and skills, the quality of patient care improves.” --- The Michener Institute

Google “interprofessional collaboration” and you will see that all 10 of the first websites provided are from health organizations. As the quota-tion from The Michener Institute states, there has been increased recog-nition that when individuals from a mixture of health professions put

their heads together to address a patient problem, the patient gains. Collaboration is not only beneficial between individuals: associations can also be more effective when they join forces with like-minded organizations or when they bring members and others individuals together to collaborate on projects.

The CAMRT has used collaboration to benefit members in ways that range from working at the international level to bringing individual members together. On the international level, we and the Society of Radiographers of the UK are giving our members electronic access to each other’s journals, which expands greatly Canadian and UK MRTs’ access to information that can improve the care they provide patients and can assist with their own professional development.

At the national level, the CAMRT is working with the Canadian Association for Radiation On-cology (CARO) and the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) on the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy, a project to improve quality standards and, as a result, patient care. We are working with the National Research Council, Agfa, the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre and other national organizations to establish a pilot patient dose registry, which it is hoped will lead to a national dose registry for all patients. Also at the national level, we are working with the Canadian Association of Radiologists, the Canadian Association for Nuclear Medicine, COMP and the Canadian Society for Medical Diagnostic Sonography to establish the Imaging Team Day. This event will be held for the first time this spring nationally and aims at increasing the understanding and appreciation by the public and decision makers for the contri-butions these professions make to Canadians’ health.

In addition to working with other national associations, we also work with many of the other organizations that are from the MRT family. The CAMRT and the provincial MRT associations (PMAs) have been developing, and are about to launch, a rebranding initiative that will explain to other health professionals and to the public the crucial work that MRTs do for their patients. The PMAs have also been collaborators in the CAMRT’s work to develop the tools and pro-cesses to help internationally educated MRTs become successful members of the workforce and care providers for Canadians.

Collaboration also extends down to individual members who have also contributed hundreds of hours to develop and help ensure that our certification examinations reflect Canadian practice. Many members have also helped to create the entry-to-practice competency profiles that are the foundation for the MRT education programs and the certification exams.

Indeed, in this highly interconnected world there is very little that the CAMRT does on its own. By building and nurturing collaborative relationships we have been able to accomplish much more for our members and their patients than we would have been able to do by ourselves.

Don’t forget to NOD:

1) Introduce yourself to each patient and those with him/her by giving your Name.

2) Tell your patient and those with him/her your Occupation.

3) Tell the patient what you are going to Do.

Publication Mail Agreement No. 40068990 • Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation DepartmentCanadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

85 Albert Street, 10th Floor, Ottawa Ontario K1P 6A4 • Tel: (613) 234-0012 or 1-800-463-9729 Fax: (613) 234-1097 www.camrt.ca

Spend a few minutes in conversation with Teri Lynn Mann and you’ll soon realize her heart is as big as the Saskatchewan Prairie. The passion, and compassion, evident in her voice, in her work and in her support for the causes she advocates and volunteers for, may quite likely be what secured her the Miss Canada Petite title in Toronto in August 2010.

“I was absolutely blown away,” says Teri, the 27-year-old MRI technologist from Regina. “It took me a few seconds to realize I’d won when they called the other girl’s name as first runner up.”

Though participating in pageants wasn’t on her radar (she was scouted by Miss Canada Globe Productions), Teri consid-ers it a dream come true. It’s also a bit of a family tradition: her great aunt was Miss Toronto in 1955. She was crowned Miss Saskatchewan Petite in April before winning the na-tional title.

Teri sees her titles as an opportunity to advance her advocacy because of her increased public exposure. She devotes a lot of time inside and outside work to women who have breast can-cer. She volunteers with the Look Good Feel Better Program, a Canadian charity focused on helping women with breast cancer manage the appearance-related effects of cancer and its treatment, and thereby enhance their self-esteem. It’s a charity that resonates with Teri because her specialty in breast imag-ing brings her face-to-face with the devastation that breast cancer can cause.

“It’s hard to watch women lose their hair,” she says, but adds that she is awed by the women’s courage.

“These brave patients deal with the emotional, psychological and spiritual issues related to cancer, as well as undergoing the physical treatments and tests,” Teri explains. “Through this emotional roller coaster they’re still able to put a smile on their face to thank us for the scan and help we’ve provided which is very gratifying, and inspirational.”

Through her work in MRI, Teri has also realized the impor-tance of taking charge of one’s health. Her daily regimen includes a workout at a local gym, an activity she considers important for all Canadians. Accordingly, she has taken up the cause of having the federal government extend the Chil-dren’s Fitness Tax Credit to include all Canadians. She has teamed up with the Fitness Industry Council of Canada to raise public awareness to this idea.

Look Good Feel Better and extending the fitness tax benefit are Teri’s two main causes currently, but she has been actively volunteering since her youth while growing up on a farm outside Battleford, Saskatchewan. Her parents, Doug and

Val Mann, say that as early as junior high Teri canvassed for the Kidney Founda-tion of Canada, helped with food bank drives, spent time visiting patients at the local hospital and donated blood to the Red Cross.

“Teri has always put the well-being and happiness of others far beyond her own, which is a truly remark-able quality that we have always admired in her,” her dad says.

That quality is evident in how Teri views her titles. Her crowns have given her some celebrity status: she is often recognized in the community and has garnered media attention. But despite the increased notoriety, Teri is focused primarily on using that recognition to bolster support for her charitable work. And though pageants—with their evening gown and bathing suit competitions—have been criticized by some as being primarily about physical beauty, Teri calls it a misconception.

“To win a pageant, the interview and platform are the most important,” she explains. “Having the inner beauty to do something to promote your platform is a big part of it.”

Her parents agree.

“We have received so many calls and support that commend Teri, not just for receiving the Miss Canada Petite title, but for what she is trying to accomplish and support. The title will definitely enhance Teri’s goals and dreams to make a dif-ference and educate people,” her mom explains.

“We shared Teri’s journey from Miss Saskatchewan Petite to Miss Canada Petite and it was a surreal experience. We could not be prouder of Teri in all that she has accomplished and the caring person that she has become, even before ... p.4 ►

Small town Prairie girl wins national title

CAMRT newsPresident’s Message... cont’d...

At this time, it is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Terry Ell as the new CAMRT representative to the ISRRT Council, replacing Rita Eyer who is now the ISRRT Vice-President for the Americas.

It is also traditional to look at our financial health at the year’s end. Our 2010 financial forecast is a good one; we expect to finish the year with a surplus rather than with the budgeted deficit. In November, the board approved a budget for 2011 that includes a large planned deficit. The CAMRT is in the fortunate position to have a significantly larger Gen-eral Fund than is recommended for an organization of its size. A deficit budget for the coming year allows us to reduce the size of this fund to a recommended level by investing in a number of special projects that significantly advance our goals to ensure high practice standards, promote the profes-sion and encourage professionalism in the practice of medi-cal radiation technology. It also provides for the payment of the ISRRT associate membership dues for all CAMRT members, a new initiative that was approved by the members present at the Annual General Meeting in Quebec. We have also chosen to make a significant investment to enhance on-line services to members in the coming year. A pilot project to convert some course exams to an online format will be carried out in 2011, and continuing enhancements to online registration options are planned, for both courses and the certification examination. And of course, we continue to advance the strategic directions of the CAMRT significantly.

Like all good New Year’s resolutions, our plans for the com-ing year are ambitious, but achievable. Notable projects in the coming year include developing guidelines for education and support for preceptors/clinical instructors, and estab-lishing a CPD/Maintenance of Competence program. Other important projects that will launch in 2011 are the revision of the Certificate in Breast Imaging, and the validation of competency profiles, an enormous undertaking that will engage many stakeholders and will significantly impact our finances.

The ambitious multi-year project for the creation of “Best Practice Guidelines” that began in January 2010 continues, as does the development of an advanced practice framework. There will be more updates on these projects coming shortly. Due to the success of the pilot 2010 Leadership Develop-ment Institute (LDI), this program has been approved to continue on an annual basis. Many of the participants of the first LDI have already come forward to lend their expertise in a volunteer capacity for the CAMRT and the PMAs. Our goal to promote a research culture among members of the medical radiation technology has taken a step forward with the introduction of a new research grant program, providing a grant of up to $5,000 for a project that is relevant to the research priorities of our profession and is aligned with the strategic directions of our associations. More information will be available on this grant on our website and through our eblasts.

Over the past year, the CAMRT and the provincial member associations have invested in research that has given us the

foundation on which to build a robust brand platform that is designed to raise the profile of our profession. We now have a plan to implement a brand strategy that we think will create excitement about our profession. Coming very soon; media advertising, brand tools and templates that you can use in your community to support our efforts, as well as im-portant messages that you can share with coworkers, patients and friends. We will also showcase the role of MRTs on the medical imaging team, collaborating with the Canadian As-sociation of Radiologists, Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonogra-phers and the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists to host the first Medical Imaging Team day on May 19, 2011.

As the above summary might suggest, the coming year holds much promise, and many positive changes for our associa-tion, and indeed, for our profession. We are well positioned to succeed in all of our plans for 2011. Our work on the CAMRT board is enhanced by the contributions of an extraordinary group of volunteers and dedicated staff, and we are well informed by the feedback we receive from all of our members. I encourage you to participate in our surveys, share ideas constructively through our social media options and attend our Annual General Meeting, June 2 to 5, 2011, in Saskatoon. I hope to meet many of you in the course of my travels this year and to hear from you directly about how you’d like to get involved and your thoughts on how we can best continue to support your professional pursuits. My best wishes to all CAMRT members for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

Small town Prairie girl... cont’d...

winning Miss Canada Petite. But in our hearts she has always been a winner—not only from the pageant aspect—but her inner beauty has always been something that as parents we could not be prouder of. She is an amazingly beautiful daughter both inside and out.”

As for Teri, she remains the same humble, balanced and committed individual as ever. She’s not sought the public eye, but says the pageant experience with its interviews, pub-lic speaking and public appearances, has brought her out of her comfort zone. It’s been a learning experience for her.

“I learned that if I put my mind to something, I can over-come my fears and reach my goals.”

In 2011, Teri will compete in the Miss International Petite competition. Beyond the pageantry, life will resume as nor-mal.

“My heart resides in MRI. I’m very happy with what I do.”

When I started working for the CAMRT in January 2010, I knew very little about the world of medical radiation tech-nologists. Perhaps saying I knew very little is an understate-ment.

In April 2010, I was referred by a specialist to have an MRI for a condition I suffer from. In 17 years of having this con-dition, I had never been referred to have an MRI—it must have been fate.

Within my first month of work at CAMRT I participated in a tour of the Ottawa Hospital General Campus to visit the work environment of the diagnostic modalities. I was still so new in the position the tour proved to be information overload. The news that I would be a patient in magnetic resonance imaging, I must admit, provided me with a twinge of excitement. Here was my opportunity to study members at work in their environment with the hopes of better under-standing them and their profession. This would be like my own personal tour!

The day of my MRI, I was feeling relatively calm. As I looked down at the patient safety questionnaire I thought: “Great! Easy questions like my name, address, medical conditions, current medications, what problem resulted in this MRI being ordered.” Then it started to get complicated: Is it pos-sible that you may be pregnant? —Well, I hope not! Any coils, fitters, shunts or stents? – Hmmm, I don’t think so. The one that got me slightly confused was the question concerning any tattoos, medicated skin patches or body piercing. Uh, oh! Why was that important?

Waiting was the hardest part, especially sitting in the pre-scan waiting area feeling very vulnerable in my hospital gown, but trying to act calm as I flipped through an old issue of Chatelaine. When my name was called I could feel my heart thumping in my chest. I was relieved to see a kind and friendly female MRT named Barb. Done deliberately or not, I got the “NOD.” I knew her name was Barb, I knew her occupation and I knew she was just about to administer the injection of the contrast dye. Injection, oh, like a needle. . . wait a minute, I never read up on any injection. To be honest, I did not know that MRTs administered IVs.

I was awed and overwhelmed by the MRI scan room, having only ever seen the machine from the other side of the glass during a hospital tour or in pictures. From where I stood the machine looked huge and the opening looked small. . .really small.

At the beginning of the scan I was nervous and very grateful that my scan required me to go in feet first as I am claustro-phobic. Barb was constantly reassuring me, which was nice. She described what images the machine was going to capture and how she would provide me with instructions from the other side of the glass as to what she needed me to do. The biggest relief came in the form an emergency call button which Barb gently placed in my hand and said: “Should you

feel any discomfort, panic or concerns, push the buttonand I will get you out of there.” And then she placed the headphones on.

What surprised me the most was how dependent I became on Barb’s voice. She was giving clear directions as to what I should be doing and in return she would always praise me for executing her direction. Isn’t it funny how simple a phase as “You are doing great” can go a long way in creating peace of mind?

What I know now

I feel that I have a better understanding of the role of a medical radiation technologist within the healthcare system. MRTs as professionals enjoy the work they do and it really is a profession that puts the needs of the patient first. I had such a positive experience that I would have no apprehension about having an MRI or any procedures performed by an MRT in the future.

MRTs are a vital part of the healthcare system. The world we live in now is so technologically enriched that we get caught up with the need for things to move faster and be more instantaneous, but it is nice to see that even though MRTs, by nature of the profession work in a tech savvy environment, it hasn’t replaced their abilities to listen, educate the patient, touch or the desire to provide patient safety.

As CAMRT’s manager of member relations, I say to all mem-bers, you take care of the patients, and we’ll take care of you!

Oh me!... Oh MRI! By Shaely Williams, Manager, Member Relations

CAMRT news

Leading clinical setting . Supportive team environment . Dream Queensland lifestyle

Submit your CV and Expression of Interest online today (select Townsville in your location preference) at: www.health.qld.gov.au/allied or call our team on: +61 1800 000 093

Townsville RTs can enjoy world-class experience, training and education in one of the most desirable lifestyle destinations. Join us and you will fi nd opportunities to extend into research, and clinicians are encouraged to enhance their professional development skills as part of a growing, dedicated team.

Queensland Health, Australia is looking for suitably qualifi ed radiation therapists (RTs) to work in one of our leading clinical settings in tropical Townsville, poised on the far north Queensland coast.

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Dreaming of a great career and lifestyle Down Under?

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What else is on offer?• highly competitive remuneration packages • supportive teams and clinical leadership • relocation and accommodation support • annual retention bonus • generous professional development allowances• exposure to state-of-the-art equipment.

When the 2010 Winter Games took place in Vancouver last February and March, world attention was focused on athletes’ performances and on the “glory of gold.” But the people involved in operations and logistics were integral to the Games’ success. Karen Smith, a Vancouver-based MRT, was a key behind-the-scenes contributor.

Karen’s volunteer role in the Olympic Games began in 2008. It entailed recruiting technologists for MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound, creating and compiling documents for accreditation, and then managing the technologists and radiologists during Games time. She assumed this volun-teer role on top of her full-time workload at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

“Basically I was working from five am to midnight,” Karen explains. “It was a bigger job than I imagined, but I was committed once I got started. It was great working with such committed leaders especially Dr. Bruce Forster. ”

At Games time, there were 70 people on the Olympic medical imaging team in Vancouver and Whistler. Ove-rall, she says the experience enhanced her perspective on volunteering. She had never seen anything on such a large scale—25,000 volunteers in total—and the commitment, energy and spirit of people was mind boggling. People came from around the world, paying their own way, for an opportunity to volunteer.

“Leading the group was inspiring because you felt appre-ciated every day,” she says. “The Paralympic Games in particular were amazing—the athletes were so humble and thankful.”

Karen credits her zest for volunteering to her mom whom she says was an “avid volunteer.” Her mom was involved in many activities, so volunteering was second nature to Karen. During high school when she lived in the United States, she worked through the church preparing clothing packages for underprivileged people. Her repertoire of volunteer experience is expansive. She has helped out in nursing homes, fundraised for the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation and has held many roles within her provincial (BCAMRT) and national (CAMRT) associations.

With her volunteering, Karen says she has often felt a personal connection: she lost her first baby and her father-in-law to kidney disease; her father had heart disease; as an MRI technologist she was passionate about her discipline; and her work brought her to the opportunity to volunteer with the 2010 Winter Games. She has been recognized and won awards for her volunteerism, including both the WQ Stirling and Welch Memorial awards from her profes-sional associations.

Before the Olympic and Paralympic Games, she says her big-gest volunteer undertaking occurred in the mid-1990s when she initiated the creation of the CAMRT’s national exam for MRI and helped create the discipline’s competency pro-file. She advocates getting involved in one’s profession.

“I strongly encourage people to volunteer for a [provincial association or CAMRT] committee and get to know peo-ple,” she says. “You will soon see the reward to the profes-sion and to yourself.”

Her schedule isn’t quite as hectic as it was leading up to and during the Olympic Games; Karen says she now spends about 10 hours a month volunteering. She credits her family and friends who have been very supportive through the years. And she strongly believes in the benefits to be gained from volunteering: “The lives you touch and people you meet makes volunteering so much fun.”

As for what lies ahead, Karen says she’s interested in hos-pice and plans to resume volunteering in prison ministry. Admitting that she caught the “Olympic fever,” she hasn’t ruled out going to Russia to volunteer for the 2014 Winter Games.

* A special thanks to all the MRTs who volunteered their time during the 2010 Winter Games. Without you, the Games would not have been so successful!

A golden moment for Karen Smith

Karen Smith (centre) at the 2010 Winter Games

CAMRT news

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1, 2011!

Canadian Radiation Research Network Bringing Radiation Research To Life

www.radiationresearch.ca

69th CAMRT Annual General Conference

June 2-5, 2011Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

www.camrt.ca/conference

Hosted bythe Saskatchewan Associationof Medical Radiation Technologists

2 0 1 1

Bridging Our Technologies

CAMRT newsIf you have read the “Promise of a New brand” article on the website and the companion articles in this newsletter, or heard a presentation at your provincial conference last spring, you will be aware that the CAMRT and its provincial associations have been collaborating on the development of a strategy to strengthen the MRT “brand.” Working with Acart Communications, an Ottawa advertis-ing agency with a broad base of clients in the healthcare sector, a multidisciplinary steering committee, representing all regions of Canada, undertook exhaustive research on the current perceptions about the profession held by MRTs, their healthcare colleagues, industry and the general public. The research findings confirmed that the MRT brand is a good one, but needs promotion. Those who connect with MRTs, as colleagues or patients, did understand them to be proud, caring professionals who provide the human connec-tion between innovative technology and effective diagnosis and radiation-related treatment—BUT, they couldn’t neces-sarily give a name to the professionals they had dealt with, or fully understand the advanced level of expertise they bring to the delivery of healthcare. Working from these findings, the committee developed a number of strategies to address the misperceptions, including an eloquent brand promise, audience specific key messages and a powerful tagline that describes MRTs as the “very image of care.” These were pack-aged into an implementation plan for a rebranding cam-paign that was then approved by the CAMRT board of direc-tors and the provincial member associations last November.

What is included in the Image of Care campaign? A media campaign, featuring both print and web advertising in a widely read Canadian magazine that is published in English and French; a brand microsite, that will become the one place to look—for members of the public, who need informa-tion about a procedure and the professional administering it; for students who are considering a career in a unique profession that blends advanced technological expertise with empathetic patient care; for media seeking clear understand-ing of each of the disciplines that make up the profession; and for other healthcare professionals, a highly credible patient information resource.

And how do you get involved? Members of the profession are the brand ambassadors, and have the opportunity, and indeed, the shared responsibility, to enhance awareness of the MRT brand promise with patients, their families, other healthcare workers, government and media. The campaign also includes development of a selection of tools that MRTs can use creatively to disseminate the brand messages in their own area. A high quality photo library, downloadable ads and promotional materials, and guidelines on use of visual images and messages that will ensure consistency in brand communications. There will also be activities where members of the profession take the lead; video and photo contests that visually convey the positive experience of the MRT practice will be a chance for members of the profes-sion to put their talents to work to create unique messages about the profession. And of course, the annual MRT Week activity plan will be a focal point for activities and events that showcase how MRTs are the “ image of care” in all that they do.

The campaign launch will take place at the 2011 Annual General Conference in June, and our first ad campaign will take place that month, too. Watch this space for more infor-mation on the what, when, where and how of the Image of Care campaign and how you can get involved.

Leadership Development Institute... cont’d...

It was inspiring to meet other motivated MRTs and have an opportunity to discuss evolving technology and practices that shape our professions. The opportunity to network with MRTs in all disciplines from across the country was an in-valuable experience. As I reflect on the skills and knowledge that I gained from the LDI, I hope to use this information in both my career and personal life. The profession of an MRT involves interacting with others on a daily basis. I believe I now have a better understanding of effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills that will prove to be invaluable during the course of my career. I encourage other MRTs to become involved in their provincial and national associations. I also challenge you to rethink your definition of leadership and realize that everyone has the potential to be a leader.

In the last newsletter, CAMRT President Shirley Bague said that “our capacity to lead is greatly enhanced by opportuni-ties to learn how.” I could not agree more with her statement and I am thankful to be involved with an association that values its members and shows a genuine interest in their future success.

On behalf of myself and all of the LDI participants, I would like to thank Mark Given, Phyllis Williams, Leacy O’Callaghan-O’Brien, Chuck Shields, Elaine Dever, Shir-ley Bague, Caitlin Gillan and anyone else involved at the CAMRT for making the LDI possible. Thank you for com-mitting your time and effort in helping young professionals gain opportunities to develop effective leadership skills. I would also like to thank GE and Siemens for their generous contribution to the LDI.

The “Image of Care” campaign... coming soon...

A rich brand promise: Canada’s medical radiation technologists are the very im-age of care. We provide an essential link between patients and their healthcare, mastering the technology and art of providing accurate state-of-the-art diagnostic images and radiation-related treatment. We are committed to provid-ing empathetic “high-touch” care to our patients, while delivering critical “high-tech” services to physicians and other healthcare providers. We perform our work with confidence, expertise, precision and professionalism. And because we are there with patients at an often-emotional time, we listen and advocate for them in addition to deliv-ering technological expertise.

We are the human connection between innovative technology and effective diagnosis and radiation-related treatment.

MRT Week 2010 was a success! Events and celebrations were held across the country and also beyond Canada’s borders. The role of MRTs in the healthcare system was widely recognized during the 2010 MRT Week celebrations. In con-junction with the Canadian Patient Safety Week, CAMRT supported their efforts, along with the CPSI hand hygiene campaign, by distributing MRT week hand sanitizers during the celebrations. Other noteworthy things included:

Recognition: His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor-General of Canada, sent official greet-ings recognizing the role of technologists and the important history of the MRT profession.

Media: An article on MRT Week was featured on Mar-ketwire, explaining the various technology-related disciplines in the healthcare field.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Medical Radiation Technologists sponsored a full-page article show-casing the achievements of their members in the St. John’s Evening Telegram. Other members generated community interest by customizing the template article provided by CAMRT for their local newspaper.

Events: Members demonstrated innovation in their plan-ning this year. Successful events included a cake with the CAMRT logo, classroom presentations, lunch- and-learns, patient displays and PowerPoint presentations of case stud-ies. A few groups even organized pub crawls to celebrate their profession.

International Celebrations: The College of the North Atlantic campus in Doha, Qatar (Middle East) continued to celebrate MRT Week.

It is not too early to start planning for MRT Week 2011. Visit the website, http://www.camrt.ca/abouttheprofession/mrtweekincanada/, and don’t forget to visit the CAMRT Facebook page to read more about suggestions and successes.

MRT Week in Qatar

For the third consecutive year, College of the North At-lantic’s Qatar Campus celebrated MRT Week in fine style, hosting two separate events to mark the occasion. On November 6th, an Open House was held on campus at the School of Health Sciences, where the Medical Radiography students had an opportunity to share their knowledge of the profession and the program, attracting many students and faculty members. They conducted tours of the program labs, demonstrating all the wizardry associated with diagnostic imaging (including the ever-popular Cyber Anatomy Lab – an amazing 3-D computerized teaching tool) answering questions and distributing literature about the college, the program and the profession.

On November 8, Roentgen’s Birthday was celebrated with a mini-symposium held at the main clinical partner site (Hamad General Hospital). Three presentations were given (Dual Energy Chest Radiography by Hamad Al Hamar, CNAQ MR graduate; Pediatric Voiding Cystourethrogram by Duaa Hassan, CNAQ MR student, Image Gently Cam-paign by Mary Ellen Pishl, CNAQ clinical faculty member), followed by a light lunch and a giant birthday cake for Wil-helm himself. This event was both well-attended and well-re-ceived as the program continues to strengthen relationships with its clinical training partners here in the State of Qatar.

At both events, CAMRT posters, buttons, bookmarks and table stands were in high evidence, as well as Image Gently campaign buttons and stickers. Many thanks to the CAMRT for supporting our efforts to promote both the profession and our organization in the Middle East.

Irene O’Brien, AC(R) , MDE.Instructor, Medical Radipgraphy ProgramSchool of Health Sciences, College of the North Atlantic Qatar

MRT Week in France

Last November the association of medical imaging tech-nologists and radiation oncology in France (AFPPE) a work session in Paris to assess the various means being used to promote the profession in France. As part of this work session, I introduced the promotional material used by the CAMRT as part of MRT Week. AFPPE representatives were impressed and very interested in all materials produced and disseminated to different audiences in Canada.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 2011 to suggest to the AFPPE board of directors a strategy to promote the profession in France.

Alain Cromp

MRT Week around the world

CAMRT newsMRT Week around the world

MRT Week 2010 at College of the North Atlantic in Qatar

MRT Week 2010 celebrated as a team in Newfoundland

“Sooo ........ how’s your day

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Online Profile ManagementDid you move recently and need to change your contact information, but you just remembered and it’s 2am? The CAMRT is pleased to offer online profile management, a new online service for members.

Members can now update their contact information through the Members’ Only section of the CAMRT website.

Simply log in to the CAMRT website, using your CAMRT Member ID number and your last name and you will notice a new menu item has been added called “My Profile” where you can update your mailing address and contact information.

Change your contact information with the click of your mouse, on your time, when you want, even when the national office is closed. Here for you 24/7!

CAMRT newsProfessional Development Courses

To register for a CAMRT course or for more detailed course information & requirements, including the course listed below, please go to http://www.camrt.ca.

Quick Self-Studies

NewMedical Imaging InformaticsCategory A Credit: TBD

This Quick Self-Study will introduce participants to infor-mation systems used in the healthcare environment and will focus on those used within medical imaging. Areas of discussion include components of a digital image, informa-tion systems and standards used in the communication of in-formation, components of a med-image, information systems and standards used in the communication of information, components of a medical imaging network and integration of informatics components. Students will also learn how healthcare informatics has changed the day-to-day operation of medical imaging departments including workflow, quality assurance, managing continuity of imaging services during downtime, data storage and security.

To register for this new Quick Self-Study, or for more infor-mation, please download an application form at http://www.camrt.ca/english/pro_dev/pdf/QSS_applica-tion_form.pdf or contact the CAMRT Office at cpd@camrt.ca.

Group Package Pricing for CT Learning Modules

For groups of five or more technologists, the CT Learn-ing Modules can be purchased for a discounted price by a department supervisor/manager. Requests must be from a Canadian facility and a PO number must accompany the request. Please refer to http://www.camrt.ca under Quick Self-Studies for more information on these packages and their requirements or contact CAMRT’s Continuing Profes-sional Development department.

Mo99 Continuing Education Course

Free for Technologists and Therapists

The CAMRT is offering a molybdenum-99 (Mo 99) Sup-ply Continuing Education course to all technologists and therapists. This program is provided via a non restricted educational grant from COVIDIEN. This short course has been approved for 1.0 Category A credit, upon completion and submission of the post quiz to the CAMRT. A mini-mum mark of 75% on the post quiz is required in order to receive credit.

This course is being offered Free for a limited time.

Overview: In light of the issues experienced in securing Mo99 supply in the clinical practice over the last year, this introductory short course helps you to understand the global supply chain and develop an appreciation of its complexity and current challenges. This course highlights the supply chain process, from the mining of uranium to the market distribution of finished radiopharmaceuticals.

To receive a complimentary copy of this Continuing Education course on CD, please send your request to by fax at 613-234-1097 or by email to cpd@camrt.ca with a complete mailing address. Please expect a few weeks delay for delivery of the product.

Education News

Have you Linked In?

Or found us on Facebook? Joined a listserv?

Social media is a great way for profes-sionals to connect, share resources, and discuss the trends and issues that have an impact on your working life now and into the future. It is also a good way to find out more about what your association can and does do for you.

The CAMRT has integrated social media into its communication strategy, and we need you to collaborate with us to create rich content that can be shared with other members of the MRT profession. Here’s how to connect.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2657692

http://www.facebook.com/#!/

group.php?gid=5038825797

Join one or more of seven CAMRT list-servs: http://www.camrt.ca/members/listservs.asp

Radiation Safety Officers; Leadership; Educators; Mammographers; Interven-tional Radiographers; Radiation Therapy; Research

CAMRT Awards Program

The CAMRT invites submissions for the 2011 CAMRT Awards Program. The pro-gram includes several competitive awards, both essay and exhibit. The competition is open to CAMRT members in good stand-ing and students enrolled in accredited medical radiation technology training programs.

The deadline for submission to both the essay and exhibit competition is March 29, 2011. For more information on the Awards Program, please go to the CAMRT website at http://www.camrt.ca/english/pro_dev/grant_awards.asp Entry forms can be submitted online. Should you have any queries, please contact Myrtle Shields at mshields@camrt.ca.

Volunteer: Be an Essay or Exhibit Competition Judge!

Ever wondered how you could volun-teer with the CAMRT without having to commit a large portion of your time? We know there are those of you who want to play some part in activities, but cannot

commit to a lengthy term, because of the demands of work and family. This may be the role for you! The CAMRT is looking for individuals interested in being judges for the yearly essay and exhibit competition.

What’s required?

You wouldn’t need to leave the comfort of your home or office, simply go online. Everything is electronic, even the marking. You will have a three- to four-week period within which to review and mark essay and poster submissions. The competition is held just before the annual general conference each year.

We would like to have a pool of individu-als from all disciplines and sub-disciplines, both in English and French, that we can call upon to help make the essay and ex-hibit competition a success every year.

To be an essay or exhibit judge you should:• Be a CAMRT member.• Be a practicing technologist, man-

ager or instructor.• Be able to demonstrate that you have

a thorough knowledge of your disci-pline and/or sub-discipline.

• Should be able to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable of advances in the field of medical radiation tech-nology in general, and particularly in your discipline and/or sub-discipline.

Do you meet the above criteria? Then for-ward your application today, with a copy of your CV. You can apply online:

http://www.camrt.ca/english/pro_dev/volunteer_camrt.asp

Wanted: Replacement Commit-tee Member for Nuclear Medi-cine Committee

The CT Imaging Specialty Certificate Com-mittee is seeking to fill one (1) position on the Committee for the period of a two-year term (January 2011 to December 2012).

Interested candidates must:• Have a valid CTIC designation or a

CTIC designation (nuclear medicine)in progress or;

• Have extensive experience in PET CT;• Be a full-practice member of the

CAMRT;• Be prepared to serve for 2 years

(January 2011 to December 2012);• Be able to attend an annual 2-day

meeting in Ottawa;

• Be willing to actively participate in CTIC assessments of Summaries of Clinical Competence, Nuclear Medi-cine stream;

This specialty certificate in CT Imaging is intended to provide a mechanism for MRTs to demonstrate knowledge and competence in the field of CT within their own disciplines, to promote standards of excellence within the clinical area and to identify those who have met a nationally recognized standard.

Please send a current CV with a letter of intent indicating your interest in this Committee by March 1, 2011. The CTIC Meeting will take place in April or May 2011--the successful candidate is expected to attend this meeting.

For more information and/or submission of application, please contact Melanie Bérubé, manager, Continuing Professional Development at mberube@camrt.ca or by fax to 613-234-1097.

Thanks for your support!

Congratulations to those organizations awarded a 100% memberhsip certificate. Every technologist within the deapart-ment or organization (available online) is a member in good standing with the CAMRT. To have your organization’s achievement recognized, contact Fran-cine Caron at fcaron@camrt.ca for an ap-plication form, or visit http://www.camrt.ca and download the form under “Most Requested Pages.”

Minutes of Annual General Meetinq

The minutes of the Annual General Meet-ing of May 28, 2010, are now available in the Members’ Only section of the CAMRT website under Annual General Business Meeting.

Call to authors and reviewers: Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Dubbed “the friendly journal,” we encour-age MRTs to submit articles for publica-tion. We are also looking for reviewers in all four disciplines. Make a contribution by joining our team of reviewers and help the journal achieve its vision of being the “premier journal in the field of medical radiation sciences.” Email editorialoffice@camrt.ca for more information.

Announcements

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