Nevada Society for Medical Imaging STRATEGIC PLAN November 18, 2011 ASRT Leadership Academy Group 1 Nevada

Society for Medical Imaging PO Box 1234 Blackjack Lane LasVegas Nevada, 89131 Tel: 702-555-1212 Fax: 702-555-1234 Email: ASRTleadershipgroup1@hotmail.com

Table of Contents
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Executive Summary.................................................................................................3 Mission Statement....................................................................................................4 Goals........................................................................................................................4 SWOT....................................................................................................................10 NSMI subsequent actions .12 Key performance indicators KPIs)).....13 Immediate actions..15

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I. Executive Summary

The Nevada Society for Medical Imaging (NSMI) is a nonprofit organization offering supportive and educational resources for medical imaging professionals in the state of Nevada. The state of Nevadas minimum standard requirements for education in medical imaging science varies throughout the state. NSMIs goal is to ensure that Medical Imaging Professionals in Nevada have access to educational programs that combine high academic standards with a commitment to developing individual talents and professional growth, a principle that we define as Educational Excellence. The NSMI is committed to ensuring that academic programs leading to a career in Medical Imaging fully prepare medical imaging professional for the challenges of the 21st century. Educational excellence also means a commitment to fostering professional growth and development of strong character. Membership allows the society to accomplish its stated mission of increasing awareness of our profession and the required financial backing required to conduct our advocacy efforts. Individuals who support the work and aims of the NSMI and its parent organization, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) are welcomed as Associate Members. These members play a valuable role in promoting the aims of the NMSI and ASRT in the United States are welcome to attend all NSMI conferences. NSMIs marketing strategy is to reach as many imaging professionals in the state of Nevada through web development, social media, engagement of parent organization, direct mailings/email blasts and community outreach. Immediate actions to be executed this year include participation in at least one community outreach and education program; launch of basic first version website for members with links to ASRT Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and member blog; develop and hold first annual meeting for membership and continuing education credit and initiate correspondence with state congressmen. NMSI consists of a board of directors who jointly oversee the activities of the organization which consists of Chairman of the Board, Eric Lobel; Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Godby; Executive Vice President, Jerri Doyle; Secretary, Anissa Evans and Medical Imaging Community Representative, Margaret Wasielewki. Based on the size of our market and our defined market area, our membership projections for the first year are 50 members. The membership dues will be $35.00 annually. Already we have membership commitments from 25 medical imaging professionals in the state of Nevada and plan to aggressively build our membership base through social Nevada Society of Medical Imaging Strategic Plan, November 18, 2011 Page 3 of 15

media, newsletter, direct mailings and web site. The educational and professional growth opportunities are sure to appeal to the medical imaging community of Nevada.

II. NSMI Mission Statement: The Nevada Society for Medical Imaging will work collaboratively with members to enhance Radiologic Technology & Medical Imaging through education, service and mentorship opportunities for our communities of interest.

III. Goals (Rationale, Recommendation, Metric, Communication)

Educational Excellence
To ensure that Medical Imaging Professionals in Nevada have access to educational programs that combine high academic standards with a commitment to developing individual talents and professional growth, a principle that we define as Educational Excellence. Rationale The NSMI (Nevada Society for Medical Imaging) is committed to ensuring that academic programs leading to a career in Medical Imaging fully prepare medical imaging professional for the challenges of the 21st century. Educational excellence also means a commitment to fostering professional growth and development of strong character. Recommendations 1. The Board, in recognition of the central role that JRCERT accredited programs offer for the future of Medical Imaging professionals, will establish a committee that will become familiar with JRCERT programs offered in the state of Nevada. 2. NSMI will devote resources to ensure that all Medical Imaging Professionals in the state of Nevada are able to excel in the areas needed to be competitive, including preparing them for ARRT accreditation, providing them with ample continuing education opportunities, develop leadership opportunities, and provide access to resources to further promote professional growth in the field of Medical Imaging Technology.

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Metrics 1. First annual report shall be given by the committee assigned to work with schools and JERCERT certification by end of fiscal year. 2. NSMI will work to create a registry review program for technologists in preparation for ARRT certification examination to coincide with our first annual conference. 3. Statistics regarding attendance will be obtained for future metrics. 4. Membership surveys utilizing Survey Monkey will be incorporated to assess the effectiveness of the registry review for those members taking the ARRT registry and action plans for continuous quality improvement shall be developed and reviewed on a quarterly basis. Communication 1. An NSMI website will be established to announce programs, solicit feedback and communicate the success of the organization and benefits to its members. 2. Committee reports will be read and distributed at NSMIs annual conference where members shall be encouraged to voice their opinion, share feedback or raise questions/concerns. 3. Email, direct mailings and/or PowerPoint presentations located on the NSMI web site will be utilized to provide ongoing feedback and updates to its members.

Provide quality care and service to the communities we serve

Rational To raise awareness through advocacy efforts and to develop best practice that enhances the patient experience through networking and collaboration amongst medical imaging professionals caring for our community. The NSMI believes strongly that all medical imaging professionals, regardless of their credentials or licensure status, should abide by a code of ethics and industry standards for ensuring safe administration of ionizing radiation. For this reason, the NSMI is in full support of American College of Radiologys (ACRs) initiatives to aid facilities in their quality improvement programs and shall adopt the ASRT code of ethics for imaging professionals. Recommendations 1. NSMI will develop patient advocacy resources. 2. To promote advocacy and educate the community the NSMI shall participate in at least one community outreach and education program annually.

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3. The NSMI recognizes the risks associated with diagnostic imaging and supports and encourages participation in the National Radiology Data Registry (NRDR) database for the purpose of comparing practice performance to regional and national benchmarks for the development of quality improvement programs. Metrics 1. Patient advocacy resources developed and promoted at first community outreach program (utilizing baseline survey data to assess effectiveness of the community outreach project). 2. There are currently 2076 technologists in the state of Nevada registered through the ARRT. The NSMIs goal is to increase this number by a minimum of 2-3% by 2017. 3. The NRDR collects information about imaging facilities which is then aggregated to establish benchmarks for quality improvement. It allows facilities and physicians to compare turnaround times, patient wait times, incident rates and many other process and outcome measures with other facilities and practices of similar size and type. The NSMIs goal is to establish baseline data identifying the number of imaging facilities in the state of Nevada currently registered with NRDR, with the intent to increase facility involvement by a metric percentage to be established no later than December 2014.

Expanded support for licensure standards by supporting and defining minimum requirements for all Medical Imaging Professionals in the state of Nevada
Rational The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has made great progress since they first introduced House and Senate bills that pursue basic educational and certification standards for health care workers who administer radiologic procedures in every state in the union, however, federal minimum standards still do not exist. Support at the state level will be increased to reduce health care cost and to ensure quality and safety for the families and individuals we serve. Recommendations 1. The Board will coordinate strategic efforts targeted at supporting Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence (CARE bill) in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy through grass roots advocacy efforts. Nevada Society of Medical Imaging Strategic Plan, November 18, 2011 Page 6 of 15

2. The NSMI shall designate a member or liaison to represent our grass roots advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. 3. NSMI will support proactive efforts of its members to reach out to patients and families undergoing all types of radiologic procedures to raise awareness of their right to have the same assurance of quality as those receiving mammograms under the provisions of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MSQA). 4. The society shall promote its advocacy and raise public awareness of our strategic efforts through the use of press release and news editorials. Metrics 1. Increase community involvement in grassroots advocacy efforts; inspire 100 community members to write to their state representative in support of the CARE bill by December 2012. 2. Minimum standards for all medical imaging professionals in the state of Nevada established by 2017. Communication 1. Results of the societies efforts will be communicated to the membership via the website, periodic newsletter and during member meetings. 2. Editorials and/or press releases covered by the state/local news agencies will be archived on the society website. A yearly report will indicate the number of publications made to date. 3. All coordinated advocacy efforts will be shared on the website blog.

To provide a network for medical imaging professionals of Nevada

Rationale Having a tangible forum for the exchange of ideas and advocacy will benefit the communities we serve and enhance the professional lives of the technologists that operate in the state. Recommendations 1. The Board has established that a minimum of one annual conference shall be offered to its members. Value based analysis will determine the type, size and number of member additional events per year. 2. A robust website will be designed that should have a member area for the exchange of opinion and general discussion.

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3. Members and or board members will be encouraged to attend events by larger organizations such as AEIRS and ISSRT and bring back important information gained. 4. The board will work with the ASRT and ARRT to have representatives attend at least one society meeting every 1 - 3 years.

Metrics 1. First annual conference shall be held in 2012 and statistically analyzed to determine its success. A survey will be utilized during the conference to illicit feedback about CE lectures and overall conference experience. Future events shall be based on this analysis. 2. The number of hits the website gets will be recorded and evaluated to determine the number of hits to specific pages in addition to just general traffic numbers. 3. The NSMI will send a minimum of one delegate each to the ISSRT annual conference and the AEIRS annual conference in 2012. 4. ASRT and ARRT to have representatives attend society meeting by 2015. Communication Results from membership surveys, grass roots advocacy success stories and summaries from delegates attending ISSRT and AEIRS conferences will be communicated to the members via the website, blog, and/or direct email blast. Blog spots and message boards will be developed for the free and safe exchange of ideas to encourage networking in the medical imaging community.

To increase our society membership

Rationale Increasing membership allows the society to accomplish its stated mission of increasing awareness of our profession and the required financial backing required to conduct our advocacy efforts. Recommendations 1. The board recommends membership fees to be set at $35.00 annually. 2. Social networking and public appearances will be incorporated to attract new members with an emphasis on students as they complete their education and become professionals.

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3. Whenever possible the society will advertise the benefits of becoming members 4. The student mentorship program will target students for future membership and leadership opportunities 5. The society will utilize opportunities such as National Radiologic Technology Week (NRTW) to coordinate public appearances, promote activities and advertise the benefits of membership. 6. Each year the membership standing committee will issue its report to the board indicating the percentage gain/loss of members. Membership growth for imaging professionals not registered through the ARRT will be evaluated and reported separately to the board. Data shall be compared against the percentage of new ARRT registrants in the state of Nevada. 7. An analysis of all data collected will be made to determine future activities of the NSMI in relation to new membership (i.e. NRTW activity, community outreach activity, conference & CE).

Metrics 1. NSMI will grow by a minimum of 25 new members by end of fiscal year 2012. 2. NSMI will increase membership by 2.5-3% annually. 3. Student mentorship program to be established by November 2013.

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IV. NSMI Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Strengths: 1. Support for educational programs in the state of Nevada 2. Strong support from our parent organization, the ASRT 3. Valued interest in licensure for imaging professionals as the state is boarded by states offering licensure 4. Convenient venues at good value for conference meetings in Los Vegas 5. A new society will generate buzz in the community and lead to increased members Weaknesses: 1. The state of Nevada does not register or license medical x-ray machine operators, except mammography technologists. 2. No continuing education requirements via the state or ARRT at national the national level 3. Low current membership of only twenty-five plus board. 4. Presently, Imaging Professionals are not held accountable under any national guidelines for best practice 5. Potential resistance from Physicians, and other health professionals see licensure as a method to exclude them from performing imaging procedures

Opportunities: 1. Mammographers must pass an ARRT Mammography certification exam. Educational opportunities will be available to provide quality education for this group. 2. With current and expected growth in technology (PACS, FFDM, EMR, etc) there will be opportunities to reach out to managers, directors and lead technologists trying to navigate their way through these changing times. 3. MIPPA certification requirements of 2012 for private outpatient imaging centers will push technologists toward advanced certification and imaging organizations may not hire a technologist without certification fearing that they may lose Medicare reimbursement. 4. Support for the CARE bill resulting in licensure in Nevada will raise salaries for licensed imaging professionals. 5. As a voice for the profession the society will take an active role in advocacy for patients protection against over irradiation.

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Threats: 1. Political risk from other health care professionals whom feel we are infringing on their current scope of practice 2. Lobbyists for "injured parties" that would be excluded from practice if/when certification are required. 3. Opposition by Physicians, and institutions lobbying against licensure in order to prevent increased salaries.

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V. NSMI subsequent actions: Immediate Goals (First Year): 1. Increase membership 2. Develop a forum for communication (i.e. website) 3. Initiate contact with Nevada State Department of Health representative

Intermediate Range Goals (2-3 years): 1. 2. 3. 4. Begin student mentorship program to involve students in our advocacy efforts Develop relationship with Nevada Hospital Associations Develop a more robust website offering on-line CE Work with the JRCERT in assisting current and new educational opportunities for students in radiologic imaging fields 5. Develop CE for the 16 hours of didactic study in advanced modalities (MRI, CT, QA, etc.) as required by ARRT to sit for advanced certification.

Long Range Goal(s) (5 years >): 1. Attain minimum standards for Nevada and nationally through CARE bill 2. Engage a full time lobbyist

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VI. Key performance indicators (KPIs) Our target customers are: 1. Medical Imaging Professionals The key customer needs we solve include: 1. Peer Support; CEU and Educational opportunities; Mentorship; Regulatory Resources and potential for Job Searches. Our market size is: 1. There are currently 2076 registered technologists in the state of Nevada Our key competitors include: 1. Physicians operating medical imaging equipment with unlicensed operators. 2. Other Allied Health Professionals, (nurses, Physician Assistants, Advanced Practice Nurses, etc) Areas in which we have competitive advantage include: 1. 2. 3. 4. Bordering states with existing Licensure Current public concern for Radiation exposure Joint Commission (TJC) and CMS guidance toward healthcare excellence TJC Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 47, Radiation Risks in Diagnostic Imaging.

Our key products/services and their unique selling propositions are: 1. CE resources 2. ARRT registry review 3. Tangible forum for the exchange of ideas and advocacy Our key promotional tactics include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Websites, (NSMI, ARRT, ASRT) Blogs Social Networking (Facebook) Newsletter direct mailings ASRT Email blast

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We do/will do the following to maximize the lifetime value of our customers: 1. 2. 3. 4. Ongoing support to Medical Imaging Professionals Continuous quality improvement through CE programs. Ongoing evaluation of value of products/services Integration and support of new technologies

We have or will forge partnerships with the following organizations: 1. ARRT 2. ASRT 3. Bordering states with mandated Licensure for Medical Imaging Professionals To execute on our opportunities, we will train and/or hire the following employees to gain the required skill sets: 1. 2. 3. 4. Marketing/Market Research Coordinator Accountant Webmaster Lobbyist

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VII. Immediate actions to be executed this year include: 1. Participate in at least one community outreach and education program. 2. Launch basic first version website for members with links to ASRT CE and member blog. 3. Hold first annual meeting for membership and provide some CE credits 4. Begin correspondence with state congressmen and continue in perpetuity 5. Get on city council agenda to introduce society and purpose 6. Become an invited guest of quarterly city council meetings 7. Send two representatives to the ASRT House of Delegates 8. Attend AEIRS and ISSRT conferences

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