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Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was born March 27th, 1845 in Germany only to later move and spend most of his life childhood in Holland. He earned his doctorate in physics at the University of Zurich and continued to work at universities, leading to his discovery of X-rays in 1895 (The Nobel Prize, n.d.). He discovered X-rays by studying cathode radiation; created by a vacuum tube, two metal plates and high voltage electricity (The Nobel Prize, n.d.). ... -
First human X-ray
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, for decades had been experimenting with vacuum tubes and electrical charges. In 1895 he used a Hittorf-Crookes tube and connected it to a powerful electrostatic charge generator (Famous Scientist, n.d.). When the generator was engaged, the filament within the tube produced a stream of electrons, causing a fluorescence on a barium platinocyanide screen, six feet way (Famous Scientist, n.d.). ... -
Early x-ray machine operators
The discovery of X-ray truly changed the way physicians practiced medicine, mostly because it provided a window to the inside of the human body. The x-ray machine began being used to diagnose and treat illness but was not operated by medical professionals. Physicians would send patients to the x-ray operators, who were typically independent businessmen, to receive images (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d.). ... -
ASRT
In 1920 a man named Eddy C. Jerman met with 13 x-ray operators in Chicago to discuss and form the first national technician society, the American Association of Radiological Technicians (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d.). The society’s establishment was "for the purpose of affording technicians an opportunity for the interchange of thoughts and ideas concerned with radiologic technique” (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d., p 13). ... -
First registered Radiologic Technologist &The Registry
December 1920 the Radiologic Society of North America (RSNA) invited The American Roentgen Ray Society to establish a Registry for the purpose of certifying X-ray technicians. (Hoing, 1952). November 18, 1922 the first radiography exam was taken for Radiologic Technologist certification. Sister M. Beatrice Merrigan of St. Anthony’s hospital in Oklahoma City, was the first Technologist to be certified. ... -
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT)
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) was incorporated in 1936. The ARRT board positions were chosen by the Radiological Society of North America and the ASRT (ARRT, n.d.). The membership qualifications of the ASRT were raised to uphold high ethical and educational standards and became restricted to only registered technicians (Hoing, 1952). ... -
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
The ASRT and the American College of Radiology formed the Joint Review Committee on Education of Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) according to the allied health education accreditation provided by the American Medical Association (AMA) (JRCERT, n.d.).The committee was established to evaluate radiology programs ensure standards in curriculum and clinical requirements were being met and provide accreditation. ... -
Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act.
Despite the advancements in the field of Radiologic Technologist, the federal government did not require education or certification in order to operate the x-ray equipment. Year after year the ASRT submitted bills to establish standards regulating licensure of radiologic technologist. In 1968 the United States Public Health Service estimated 100,000 x-ray equipment operators and 55,000 were actually certified (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d.). ... -
Continuing Education requirements
In 1975 the ASRT began offering voluntary continuing education within one year more than 5,000 radiologic technologists had enrolled, eager to expand their knowledge of the field (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d.). In 1995 the ARRT made continuing education (CE) a requirement upon renewal of technologist certifications. The requirement is 24 CE credits every two years to uphold the Radiologic Technologist license (American Society of Radiologic Technologist, n.d.). ... -
Radiology Modalities of today
Every radiology modality is essential in diagnosing and providing treatment to patients. Radiologic technologists are part of the front-line team when providing care during emergency situations, accompanying surgeons in the operating room, or providing treatment with radiation. ...
