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History
 The Joint Review
Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)
was formed by the American College of Radiologists, the American
Society for Medical Technology*, the American Society of Clinical
Pathologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the
Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the Society of Nuclear Medicine
Technologists. The Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists, one of
the original sponsors, terminated its corporate status as a
professional organization and relinquished its sponsorship to the
Society of Nuclear Medicine (Technologists Section) in l975. The
American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the American Society for
Clinical Laboratory Science withdrew from sponsorship in 1994. Current
membership includes three representatives of each sponsor and two
public members.
The Essentials of an Accredited Educational Program for the Nuclear
Medicine Technologist was originally adopted by the collaborating
organizations in 1969. The Essentials was substantially revised in
1976, 1984, 1991, 1997 and 2003.
 The JRCNMT, in
collaboration with the AMA Council of Medical Education (CME), began
accrediting educational programs for nuclear medicine technologists in
1970. In 1976, the CME delegated to the newly formed Committee on
Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) the responsibility
and authority for allied health education accreditation collaboration
with the respective review committees. Following the dissolution of
CAHEA in l994, the JRCNMT assumed the responsibilities for the
accreditation of nuclear medicine technology programs.
Recognition by the United States Secretary of Education was granted
upon initial application in 1974. The Secretary continues to recognize
the JRCNMT as the authority to accredit nuclear medicine technology
programs. Recognition of the JRCNMT by a voluntary non-governmental
agency was initiated in 1983 and continues today under the Council for
Higher Education (CHEA). Recognition was granted in the same year and
has been ongoing since then.
*The official name of this organization was changed to the American
Society for Clinical Laboratory Science in 1992.
Purpose
The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in
Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) and its sponsoring organizations,
the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the Society of
Nuclear Medicine (Technologist Section), cooperate to establish,
maintain and promote appropriate standards of quality for
postsecondary educational programs in nuclear medicine technology to
provide skilled, professional services to the patients served.
Educational programs, which meet or exceed these minimum standards,
are granted an accreditation status by the JRCNMT, providing public
recognition of such achievement.
By stating that an institution has met established standards,
accreditation provides value in the following areas:
Students
Enables prospective students to identify institutions and programs
that meet standards established by and for educational programs in
nuclear medicine technology. Assists students who wish to transfer
from one institution to another. Provides reassurance to applicants
and parents that the program meets national standards.
Institutions
Protects against internal and external pressures to modify programs
for reasons that are not educationally sound. Involves faculty and
staff in comprehensive program and institutional evaluation and
planning. Stimulates self-improvement by providing nationally
acceptable standards against which the institution can evaluate the
program it sponsors to meet the needs of the student and profession.
Provides a frame of reference for the institution to identify
resources that may be needed to maintain or enhance the program.
Allows the institution to receive feedback on possible areas of
concern as well as where and when excellence has been achieved.
Society
Provides evidence of a successful review of the program by a peer
organization whose function is to assess quality and content of the
educational experience and its applicability to the expectations of
the profession and potential employers. Assists the process of
professional certification, registration or licensure by providing
reasonable assurance of quality educational preparation; provides one
of several considerations used as a basis of determining eligibility
for some types of Federal assistance; and helps to identify
institutions and programs for the investment of public and private
funds.
Employers
Provides assurance that graduates of a program accredited by the
JRCNMT have received an acceptable quality in education based on
minimum national standards.
The accreditation process provides documentation of periodic reviews
to the institution’s administration, public, student’s parents,
potential applicants, employers and applicable educational, regulatory
and licensing bodies.
The JRCNMT publishes a list of
accredited programs
for the information of prospective students, employers and the
public. |
