Aug. 16, 2024 — A measure to petition the Office of Management and Budget to classify radiologic technologists as professional generated more than 42,000 comments submitted via the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Advocacy Action Center.
The ASRT believes radiologic technologists clearly fall within the OMB’s Standard Occupational Classification for professionals. The SOC’s professional status definition states, “The employees’ primary duties must be the performance of work requiring advance knowledge defined as work which is prominently intellectual in character and which includes work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment.”
“Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals are vital members of the health care team. We receive orders from physicians every day that require us to use our advanced knowledge of radiation protection, radiation physics, equipment protocols and much more,” said ASRT President Heather Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R). “We’re responsible for creating quality medical images that could save lives, and this in-depth process includes critical thinking, discernment and judgment, key responsibilities that are part of the OMB’s professionalism definition.”
Reclassification to professional status offers benefits for radiologic technologists, including a higher level of professional recognition.
The OMB only opens the SOC window every 10 years, so advocating for professional status for radiologic technologists was critical this year. “The radiologic technology community and ASRT House of Delegates have been asking about professional status classification for a number of years, so we jumped at the chance to make our case to the OMB,” said ASRT Vice President of Governance and Public Policy Jason Bradley, B.A., R.T.(R), CAE. “The response from ASRT members, peer organizations and the general public was incredible. More than 42,000 individuals used the ASRT Advocacy Action Center to submit comments that support reclassification.”
With the comment period closed, the OMB will review all comments and determine if radiologic technologists meet its professional status criteria. If accepted, the OMB would enact the revision in 2028.
According to ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE, advocating for professional status is a responsibility that ASRT takes very seriously. “Asking the OMB to recognize us as professionals is an example of our mission to advance and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and be seen by the health care community, elected officials and the public,” she said.
August 06, 2024 
