Professional development refers to the ongoing commitment to ensure that your skills and ability to do your job are always relevant and up to date. Some may use professional development to stay current with their present job. This is important for radiological technologists because there is always new technology or more advanced methods of performing procedures. Keeping up with these new or advanced methods can be beneficial to a radiological technologist because they may make one's job easier. Others can use professional development to further themselves in the profession. They can take courses to become specialized in more advanced areas of the profession including Computed Tomography and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. In today's workplace it is imperative to continue to grow and develop professionally. Technology has been beneficial to both radiographers and patients. Technology has helped reduce patient doses and decrease wait times in diagnostic imaging. The internet has made information about several procedures available and thus patients are more concerned with their health and have more and more questions that they want answer by their healthcare professional. This proves the importance of professional development and proves that life long learning should be a core principle in all radiological technologists.
The Camrt has developed a booklet with several courses for members to take in order to further themselves in their profession. The booklet offers courses in Computed Tomography, Mammography, Leadership, and Pediatrics (see Booklet). The Camrt also has an annual conference, which allows members to attend interesting lectures and interact with other radiological technologist and other radiation workers across the country. These conferences allow you to make adjustments to your everyday routine or at least attempt to incorporate new methods.
References:
The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (2009). Professional Development. Retrieved from: www.camrt.ca/english/professional.
Career Services. (2001). Professional Development. Retrieved from: http://ilearn.senecac.on.ca/careers.