The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the governing body for certification and licensure for radiologic technologists. Within their governing body there are a specific Standard of Ethics that we must follow while practicing.
Article three of the ARRT Standards of Ethics states that the radiologic technologist should deliver care that is unrestricted by concerns of the patient's attributes, color, illness, religion, origin, gender, marital status, disability, orientation, veteran status, age or any other legally protected bias. 1 The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care have a similar statement written in their code. One that states workers should provide effective, equal, respectful care that is cohesive to diverse cultures, beliefs, practices, language, literacy and other communication needs. 2. By comparison these are similar articles. Both state that regardless of the patients orientation of language, gender, or beliefs, the standard of care should be upheld across the board.
Article ten of the ARRT Standards of Ethics states that the radiologic technologist should strive to improve knowledge and skills by participating in continuing educations and activities to further the aspects of successful profession practice.1 Similarly, article four of CLAS states that health care entities should educate and train in culturally and linguistically appropriate practice policies in an ongoing basis. 2 Each of these articles are similar in that they promote continuing education in order to provide an appropriate climate for our patients. Furthering our knowledge of our practice base is essential in providing ethically sound health care.
By contrast, there is the third article within CLAS that states that the workforce and leadership should be culturally diverse and linguistically appropriate in accordance with the population that is being served.2 The ARRT's Standards of Ethics have no mention of this. Although I agree with the CLAS policy, I think it would be difficult to find radiology techs that are skilled in various languages. Try as they may to recruit and employ those techs, it would come at a high cost to do so. However, maintaining some multi-cultural education and exposure could be added into the requirement for continuing education, perhaps one catered to the population served in the area.
Sources:
1. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Code of Ethics. https://www.arrt.org/docs/default-source/governing-documents/arrt-standards-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=c79e02fc_16. Published September 1, 2018. Accessed July 8th, 2019.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care. https://www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/. Accessed July 5th, 2019
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