The Monitor

the

monitor

October, 2009

1199 SEIU Professional & Technical Newsletter

Union Vs. Non-Union— A Surgical Technologist’s Perspective.

Darrell Sadler is an 1199 member working as a surgical technologist at the Phillips Ambulatory Care Center of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Having grown up in the South, he has a better perspective than most on the real life difference between working in a union shop versus a non-union shop.

Sadler was raised in a small rural community called Bowling Green, South Carolina. This community sits on the border of North Carolina where the textile industry was once one of the main employers. “As a young boy in the seventies and eighties my mother, alongside most of the women in my neighborhood, worked long hard hours in these textile mills.” Sadler went on to recall his mother speaking of the loud noise, lack of air conditioning, hard cement floors, and poor safety conditions in the work area. “To add insult to injury, the pay was little, the medical plans were poor, and there was no retirement. The supervisors, actually called ‘overseers,’ lived up to their names by their unfair treatment of the workers.”

Darrell Sadler 1199 Surgical Technologist

(Continues on page 2)

IN THIS ISSUE: · Union Vs. Non-Union—A Surgical Technologist’s Perspective · Spotlight on 1199/SEIU Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Service Providers · Medical Laboratory Technicians at Brooks Memorial Hospital Win Wage Victory

· 1199 Physical Therapy Assistant Finds Fulfillment in Helping Others · Polysomnography Member Profile: Madeline Silva · Fall 2009 Prep Course Calender · 2009 - 2010 Academic Calender · Radiology Professionals: New NYS Requirements

The Monitor is available online. Go to www.1199seiu.org and click on “professional workers.”

Union Vs. Non-Union— A Surgical Technologist’s Perspective. (...continued)

Sadler wanted no part of that kind of work environment.

After high school he enlisted in the air force, and from there went to college in Birmingham, Alabama. It was there he attained his skill as a surgical technologist, assisting surgeons in the O.R. For 14 years he worked in various hospitals in Birmingham. Only one was unionized: the VA hospital. Not surprisingly, it was the highest paid place. But Unions are still having a hard time establishing themselves in the South.

Says Sadler, “Even now when I speak to relatives down South, several have told me they have had co-workers fired for mentioning the word union.”

At one of the non-union places Sadler worked he described workers who were too intimidated to call in sick, no matter how bad they felt. And Sadler describes a situation where in practice there were no rules as to the proper scope of practice for surgical techs. “The surgeons want what they want.”

Sadler finds a welcome contrast here in New York, where he has worked for the last four years, the last two of them as an 1199 member at Beth Israel. Compared to down South, he states that here “the rules are more streamlined and consistent. Things are improving in this profession.”

Sadler gets tremendous satisfaction from his work in the O.R. He describes an experience when he assisted on a surgery to correct a child’s misaligned eyes, known as strabismus 2

surgery. Seeing the child after the successful procedure was very gratifying. “It’s amazing to know you were part of that service, and made people’s lives better.”

Sadler lists the great health, dental, and childcare benefits as some of the many things he’s grateful to 1199 for. In addition, he’s taking advantage of the education programs offered by the Training Fund, taking the HC4 college prep classes to prepare to go back to school to become an RN. But perhaps most important is “just knowing I have the support of thousands of brothers and sisters here in NYC. It’s overwhelming! There is definitely strength in numbers.”

Because of Sadler’s life experience, he is sometimes puzzled to see members who are too timid to exercise their rights.

“One thing that baffles me is how people can belong to one of the strongest unions in the country, pay monthly dues, and are afraid to confront unfair treatment in the workplace.”

He goes on to say, “we should know our rights as well as our benefits. This comes by reading our contract agreement, attending 1199 meetings when possible, and just networking with knowledgeable 1199 brothers and sisters.”

Sadler is especially excited about participating in the 1199 Surgical Technologist Committee, where surgical techs from around the Union come together to discuss issues of common concern in their profession. For more information on this committee please contact Professional & Technical Specialist Debora Hunte at 212-857-4398, or at debora.hunte@1199.org.

Sadler states “I am proud and I thank God for blessing me to be an 1199 union member. To those past and current active members, I say thank you and keep up the good work!”

Spotlight on 1199/SEIU Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Service Providers Written by 1199 member

Tyrone Thaddaeus Brown Ph.D., CASAC Psychology Department, Substance Abuse Recovery Program Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center – New York, NY

Did you know that this September marked the 20th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month? If you didn’t you are not alone. Unfortunately substance abuse, alcoholism and addiction are issues that far too often fly under the radar of the American public – that is until we hear of some tragic event in the news related to alcohol or substance abuse, or the issue lands on the doorstep of our homes. The truth is substance abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction are progressive and often fatal illnesses that impact upon all demographic sub-populations and cultures in America.

In a 2001 report, the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation suggests that use, misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco products, prescription and over the counter substances, marijuana and other illicit drugs is a major cause or contributing factor in an overwhelming percentage of preventable illness nationally. According to the report, substance abuse – a chronic, relapsing health condition is the nation’s number one health problem. The Johnson Foundation report suggests that more premature deaths, illnesses and disabilities are attributed to substance use, misuse, and abuse than any other preventable health condition - roughly 80 percent. In fact, alcohol and tobacco use are two of the three leading causes of death in the U.S. In the U.S. the economical cost to society related to substance abuse is estimated at over a half a billion dollars annually and the cost on human life is immeasurable.

Despite these troubling truths, evidence-based research shows that substance abuse, alcoholism and addiction are treatable diseases. With the right treatment and support people can experience a life of freedom and recovery from alcohol and drugs.

On September 16, 2009, 1199/SEIU’s (1199) Professional and Technical Department convened an initial meeting of the 1199 Substance Abuse Counselors and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC) Workers Committee. The meeting was attended by 1199 members with varying experiences and expertise in providing treatment and recovery services to persons impacted by substance use disorders inside 1199 institutions. This meeting presented the first step in generating a dialogue amongst 1199 substance abuse treatment and recovery service providers aimed at bringing greater awareness of the issue of substance abuse in both our 1199 (Continues on page 5) 3

from left to right, MLT’s Deborah Burgun, Kathleen Jackman, Stuart Ludwig, and Joseph Worczak after long deserved wage victory

Medical Laboratory Technicians at Brooks Memorial Hospital Win Wage Victory It had been a long and difficult negotiation for 1199SEIU members at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, NY during the spring of 2008. Brooks is located in a rural community approximately 45 miles southwest of Buffalo on the coast of Lake Erie. The hospital was affected by the recommendations of the Berger Commission, and after months of negotiations we had finally reached a settlement that included respectable increases in wages, pension contributions and shift differential, along with maintaining the Training and Upgrading Fund and health insurance contributions. The one issue still in contention was classification upgrades. These potential upgrades applied to classifications in which there had been a change in job requirements.

The Union proposed language for upgrades on new or changed job classifications, and management agreed we would proceed with that language in order to resolve the upgrades in dispute. If any agreement about classification upgrades could not be reached, those classifications still in dispute would be subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure. Meetings took place after the contract ratification and eventually all but three (3) classifications were upgraded.

The Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT’s) were one of 4

three unresolved classifications. The Union filed a grievance on their behalf. The Union contended that wages should be commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the Technicians. The argument for upgrade was based on the increasingly more technical competency tests the Technicians have to complete annually, as well as the additional certification or licensure required, which costs up to $300.

“Even before the New York State law requiring MLT’s to be certified went into effect in 2006, we thought we should be upgraded,” said Kathy Jackman, MLT at Brooks Memorial Hospital. “We were not happy with the new licensing requirement,” referring to the New York State Certification now required for Clinical Laboratory Technicians. “We now had to have this certificate to be able to practice in our field, but we were not being paid equally to other professionals in the hospital also required to be licensed. The new law and then management’s refusal to upgrade us during negotiations just made us even more determined.”

On March 18th and April 6th of 2009 their case was heard by an Arbitrator. “We had a strong case,” said Kathy Ville, 1199SEIU Administrative Organizer and union advocate

Spotlight on 1199/SEIU Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Service Providers Continued...

during the arbitration. “There were other classifications with the same education and licensing requirements making significantly more money than the MLT’s.”

The arbitrator agreed and on July 20, 2009 the union received word that we had won the Arbitration. The Arbitrator awarded the MLT’s a two (2) pay grade upgrade with retroactive pay back to the contract expiration date of May 1, 2008. This is in addition to the 3% increases each year of the three (3) year contract. MLT members with fourteen (14) or more years of seniority also received a 10% increase in their hourly wage. In total, the Medical Laboratory Technicians at Brooks Memorial hospital will see a nearly 20% increase in their hourly wage over the next three (3) years. Many received immediate increases of approximately $2.00/hour as a result of the Arbitration award.

One key rationale for the arbitrator’s finding was recognition of the importance of the MLT’s work in the overall health care system. In his words, “...it is also significant that approximately 75% of a Doctor’s diagnosis is dependent on laboratory results produced by the MLT.” Such recognition is important for Lab workers, who often are invisible to the public, but whose skill and training plays such a vital role in the diagnosis of disease.

“I’m really glad that we prevailed in this arbitration and that this decision has now set a precedent that other MLT’s and professionals that are in a similar situation can follow,” said Kathy Ville.

“We’re thrilled with the decision and glad that our hard work and dedication as professionals is finally being recognized and rewarded,” said Kathy Jackman. “We want to thank the union and the Professional and Technical Department in NYC for fighting for us and helping us stand together.”

institutions, including nursing homes and hospitals, and society at large. Other initial focuses of the committee are aimed at bringing greater awareness of the substance abuse treatment and recovery profession inside and outside our 1199 institutions. There was particular emphasis on quality education and training. Ongoing workforce training, development and support are vital to the provision of high quality treatment and recovery-based services to our consumers. Just as the issues of addiction so often go undetected and untreated in society, the efforts and needs of substance abuse professionals and paraprofessionals from the ranks of various disciplines go unrecognized and unattended as well. It is the goal of the 1199 Substance Abuse Counselors and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC) Workers Committee to decrease both of these disparities. It should be noted that Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC) are Qualified Health Professionals – the CASAC is a credentialed profession in New York State.

To further the mission of the 1199 Substance Abuse Counselors and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC) Workers Committee, we are planning to increase our efforts by bringing more 1199 substance abuse professionals and paraprofessional to the table to join in this important dialogue.

For more information on future meetings or feedback regarding the 1199/SEIU Substance Abuse Counselors/CASAC Committee, please contact Joseph Chinea at joseph.chinea@1199.org or at (212) 857-4302.

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Working From the Heart 1199 Physical Therapy Assistant Finds Fulfillment in Helping Others

“

Sharing my story with other therapists can help them deal with their patients and have a different outlook on treatment outcomes.�

Faizool Ali, Physical therapy Assistant

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“All you have to do is believe” Mr. Faizool Ali, a physical therapist assistant at Saint Teresa’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Middletown New York considers this statement the foundation of a successful life.

Ali, an 1199 member, has been a Physical Therapist Assistant since July 1999. He suffered a below knee amputation in June 2000.

“My work here at Saint Teresa’s, I do from the heart. Rehabilitating hundreds of people back into the community has changed their lives and has helped build my character as a person and as a physical therapist assistant.” Ali has developed into an exceptional therapist. Rather than letting his own disability hold him back, he is aware that it allows him, in his words, “to reach patients on a different level.”

He can connect with his patients’ disabilities and encourage them with positive feedback. “It’s a constant struggle, but it’s worth it.”

Even an amputation could not discourage Ali from one of the great joys in his life: playing basketball. He tried out for an adaptive basketball team and made the team. He honed his skills, continued believing in himself and became a professional wheelchair basketball player. “That was when I rolled into my destiny. Wheelchair basketball changed my life drastically; everything I missed being an amputee came back to me and helped me have friends with disabilities and strengthened my family as well.” Recently playing for the New York Rollin’ Knicks, he has earned the Eastern Wheelchair Conference 2008 – 2009 Rookie of the Year title.

“Just get it started” Ali believes in getting things started in order to succeed. In the fall of 2009, The Professional & Technical Department of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will embark upon establishing a committee of rehabilitation professionals (PT’s, PTA’s, OT’s, COTA’s, and Speech). This committee will meet to address issues relevant to the Rehabilitation community. Included will be issues such as healthcare practices, continuing education requirements, recognition for additional education and specialty certification, and other related concerns. “The OT/PT Committee is an exceptional concept,” stated Ali. “It can be a network of clinicians who can share experiences and stories that feed off of each other. This will allow us to broaden our horizons as a profession. Just like me, sharing my story

with other therapists can help them deal with their patients and have a different outlook on treatment outcomes.”

One manager at Saint Teresa’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center believes the 1199 OT/PT Committee can help not only the therapists, but also the institutions in which they work. By expanding the professional practice and increasing competency, it will boost quality care. This could in turn maximize reimbursement and institution marketability in rehabilitation services.

“Only good can come out of it,” said Ali. The OT/PT committee can revolutionize the rehabilitation health care arena through the voices of the union members. “Putting a bunch of highly educated health care professionals in a room will allow us to build together.” Ali is looking forward to participating in the next OT/PT Committee meeting. “I will be honored to be part of the 1199 OT/PT Committee.” He hopes to continue playing wheelchair basketball, advocating for adaptive sports and growing as a physical therapist assistant. *** If you are interested in participating in the OT/PT Committee, the next Union-wide meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 310 West 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY. Please contact Joseph Chinea, Professional & Technical Specialist, 212-857-4302.

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Polysomnography Member Profile: Please meet Madeline Silva, a Senior Polysomnographic Technologist at the Maimonides Medical Center Institute for Sleep and Breathing Disorders. Madeline is a registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) who has worked at Maimonides since 2006. She is newly married, has a 7 year old step-son, and 3 dogs.

Madeline started as an 1199 SEIU member at Staten Island University Hospital, working in the Dental Department from 1997 until 2005. In 2004, she had the opportunity to test for entrance into a program to learn sleep medicine. The program was a joint initiative with 1199 SEIU and Staten Island University Hospital, funded by the Federal Waiver Grant. She passed the test with flying colors, and entered the 6 month polysomnography program. The program consisted of three 2 month modules. The first module was classroom training in anatomy and physiology.

The second module consisted of classroom training in sleep medicine. The third module was the clinical component. During her last 2 months in the program, she worked side by side with Polysomnography Techs and Respiratory Therapists.

“I jumped right in. I had a background in hands-on patient care from working in the Dental Department at Staten Island University Hospital. I was very comfortable dealing with patients. It was a totally different atmosphere because in the sleep lab, patients were not in acute pain, so it was more relaxed. Even though the patients were not as nervous, I worked to make them even more comfortable because they are staying overnight in a strange environment; we’re attaching wires to them, and monitoring their sleep.”

In 2006, Madeline came to work at the new Maimonides Institute for Sleep and Breathing Disorders. The Institute 8

was opened in 2004. Administrative Director Estee Altman worked with CFO Robert Aldi to make the dream of a sleep center at Maimonides a reality because she believed that “This is the wave of the future, and the community needs this sleep lab.”

The Institute became part of the hospital proper in 2005, at which time Maimonides Medical Center negotiated with 1199 SEIU (organizers and polysomnography members), to establish salaries and working schedules.

Initially, the sleep lab was open 4 nights a week, and then was expanded to 5 nights and then again to 7 nights a week. The sleep lab is also open in the daytime. The Institute for Sleep and Breathing Disorders has 6 beds, and boasts a separate area for Pediatric patients. Each room is self contained, and has its own private bathroom. The Institute encourages spouses to stay if they like. The Center is very sensitive to the cultural and social needs of the patients.

Before coming into the sleep lab, a patient is referred by their primary care physician to a physician who specializes in sleep medicine. The specialist then refers patients to the sleep lab if warranted. Some of the reasons that patients are referred are to confirm or rule out the following: sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, periodic limb movement syndrome, and any other symptom that may be related to sleep or the disruption of sleep.

Some of the procedures that the Polysomnographic Techs

from left to right, Estee Altman, Sandra Kramer, Madeline Silva, Kimberley Maisonet, and Michael Smith all work as a team in the Maimonides Institute for Sleep and Breathing Disorders

perform are diagnostic, such as Nocturnal Polysomnography (NPSG). This test may help determine if a patient should return for CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), or if a patient should be referred to an ENT or another physician for physiological issues. Another diagnostic test is MSLT which is a study done during the day to help physicians rule out or confirm narcolepsy. All of the patients are hooked up to monitors to help measure such things as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Some of the equipment and monitoring devices include: respiratory belts, nasal cannulas, EEG’s, EKG’s, EMG’s, etc. The data from all of these monitoring devices is transferred to computers, and Madeline scores the tests for each patient. The scoring consists of utilizing the parameters set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The AASM rules set the standards for defining if there was a respiratory event, or a decrease in oxygen, etc. These scores are sent to the Sleep Physician, who then makes a recommendation on treatment, further studies, etc.

The Sleep Physician may recommend treatment. Some of the treatments are also performed in the sleep lab. The physician may recommend that the patient come back for CPAP. The sleep lab also performs oxygen titration- to determine what oxygen level is appropriate for each patient if they require oxygen treatment.

The Institute is unusual in that it sees a large number of pediatric patients, including infants. The pediatric patient

volume is about 16-20 %. The pediatric room is in a separate area from the other rooms, and contains a sleeping area for a parent. The staff ratio for pediatric patients is 1:1, whereas for adult patients it is 1 Polysomnographic Tech to 2 patients.

Madeline has worked with many of the pediatric patients.

Estee Altman says, “We are delighted with Madeline as a person and worker. She gives such soothing care, especially to the children who have come here.” Madeline says “With children, you have to try to make it a game. You put one electrode on the child, then they put one on themselves. It is very time consuming, but I love it.”

At the current time, Madeline works during the day. It is unusual to have a sleep lab open during the day, but Madeline does sleep studies on night shift workers, scores the sleep studies performed the previous night, and gives tours to potential patients, including simulating what the sleep study will feel like. She is available to assist patients who have questions about their treatments, or breathing equipment.

Madeline feels that she has found her niche. She states “I love what I do and where I work. I feel part of a family. I have fantastic co-workers and supervisors. The patients are appreciative, and I have a great sense of having helped. It is a nice lift and instant gratification when a patient receives CPAP therapy and says ‘I have never slept so well.’ 1199 changed my life by offering the grant to go to school for polysomnography. I am so grateful. It has changed my quality of life completely for the better.”

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1199SEIU League Training & Upgrading Fund Institute For Continuing Education

2009-2010 CONTINUING EDUCATION CALENDAR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 7:45am – 3:30pm Strokes Symposium: From the ER to Rehab

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Topic TBD

6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** Location: John Jay College

3 hrs, Social Workers Location: Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 7:45am – 4:00pm Wound Care

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 7:45am – 3:30pm Topic TBD

8 hrs, LPNs Location: 1199SEIU Auditorium

6 hrs, Dietitians and Nutritionists Location: Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Medication Errors

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 7:45am – 3:30pm The Aging Brain Symposium

3 hrs, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Techs, Physician Assistants, Nurses Location: New York Times Center

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 7:45am – 3:30pm 4th Annual Heart Disease Symposium: Hypertension 6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** Location: New York Times Center

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 7:45am – 3:30pm Going Green Symposium: Impact on Medical Outcomes 6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** Location: New York Times Center

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 7:45am – 4:00pm Wound Care 8 hrs, LPNs Location: 1199SEIU Auditorium

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Future of Surgical Technology: Robotics and Laparoscopy 3 hrs, Surgical Techs Location: Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 7:45am – 3:30pm Women’s Health Issues: Hormonal Changes in “Adult” Women 6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** Location: The New York Times Center

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 7:45am – 4:00pm Wound Care 8 hrs, LPNs Location: 1199SEIU Auditorium

6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** The New York Times Center

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Topic TBD 3 hrs, Rehab Medicine-OT/PT Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 7:45am – 3:30pm Evolution Mutation & Ethics of the Clinical Laboratory in New Age Medicine 6 hrs, Laboratory Technologists New York Times Center

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 9:00am – 5:00pm Lung Health 2010: The International Year of the Lung 6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** New York Times Center

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Topic TBD 3 hrs, Respiratory Therapists Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Topic TBD 3 hrs, CASACS Cherkasky/Davis Conference Center

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 7:45am – 3:30pm Diabetes Symposium 6 hrs, Interdisciplinary** The New York Times Center

** Interdisciplinary seminars are usually accredited for Pharmacists, Respiratory Therapists, Dietitians, Radiologic Techs, Laboratory Techs, Social Workers, Physician Assistants, and Nurses. Please call for specific professions.

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FALL 2009 REVIEW COURSES IMAGING TECHS ARRT REGISTRY EXAM REVIEW - Presenter: TBA Mondays & Thursdays, September 21st to March 18th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: Hostos Community College - 500 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY

CT REGISTRY EXAM REVIEW - Jarek Stelmark, MBA, BSc. Saturdays, June 6th to November 21st - 10:00am to 2:00pm Location: 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

ARDMS ULTRASOUND PHYSICS REGISTRY REVIEW - Young Lew, Ultrasound, Montefiore Medical Saturdays, September 12th to December 15th - 10:00am to 1:00pm Location: 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

MRI REGISTRY REVIEW - Center for Allied Health Education Mondays & Wednesdays, October 19th to December 16th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

DIALYSIS TECHS DIALYSIS TECH CERTIFICATION REVIEW, MATH WORKSHOP Judy L. Valllarelli MS, APRN, BC NES Associates, LTD Tuesdays & Thursdays, October 9th to November 19th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

PHARMACY TECHS PHARMACY TECH CERTIFICATION, MATH WORKSHOP - Lehman College Mondays & Wednesdays, September 14th to November 4th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 15th to October 29th - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, 330 W. 42nd Street, NYC, 13th Floor

Mondays & Wednesdays, October 12th to December 2nd - 10:00am to 1:00pm Location: Rikers Island, 100 Hazen Street

Mondays & Wednesdays, October 12th to December 2nd - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Location: Rikers Island, 100 Hazen Street

Register today. Call: 212-894-4390 Please call for specific location on each seminar. Email: Institute @1199Funds.org www.1199Funds.org - click “Training & Employment,” and then on “Continuing Education.”

1199SEIU Professional & Technical Department Staff Listing and Areas of Responsibility: Dolores Chase - Imaging, Respiratory, EMS Workers -- 212-261-2385 Joseph Chinea - Social Work, Substance Abuse Coundelors, OT/PT/Speech -- 212-857-4302 Farah Hargett - LPN’s, Physcian Assistants, Dietitians -- 212-261-2246 Debora Hunte - Laboratory, Pharmacy, Surgical Technicians -- 212-857-4398 David Kranz, Director - All other professions not mentioned above -- 212-261-2494

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Radiology Professionals: Important New Requirements from the NY State Dept. of Health and from the ARRT. The New York State Department of Health states: “Beginning January 1, 2010, each radiologic technologist, when applying to register pursuant to paragraph 89.20(a) of this section, must provide evidence of continuing education equivalent to 12 credit hours per year according to the following schedule:

1. individuals registering in the year 2010 must have 12 credits within the previous 12 months;

2. individuals registering in the year 2011 must have 24 credits within the previous 24 months;

3.

individuals registering in the year 2012 must have 36 credits within the previous 36 months; and

4. individuals registering in the year 2013 must have 48 credits within the previous 48 months.

(d) Thereafter to reregister, the radiologic technologist must provide evidence of the equivalent of 12 credit hours per year for every year since the previous registration period.�

For those imaging professionals who are ARRT Registered, this continuing education requirement is not in addition to the continuing education requirement to maintain the ARRT Registry. The same credits may be used to fulfill both obligations.

New ARRT Requirements: If you are ARRT registered, or interested in becoming registered, please make note of the following: As per the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), anyone obtaining ARRT registry starting January 1, 2011 will have to re-take the registry exam

every ten years thereafter. Registrants\ will also have to do their annual dues renewal, and continuing education.

Imaging workers who have obtained the ARRT Registry before this date will not have to re-take the exam every ten years; they will just have to keep up with their yearly dues renewal and continuing education.

The ARRT Board of Trustees met in July and has formally changed the minimum educational requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exams. Starting January 1, 2015 in order to sit for the ARRT exams in radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, and for primary pathway exams in magnetic resonance imaging and sonography, candidates must possess an associates degree, baccalaureate degree, or graduate degree from an accredited academic institution. The degree does not have to be in radiologic sciences. The degree must be earned before being granted eligibility to sit for the exam(s). In effect this means that in order to become licensed in NY State after January 1, 2015 new graduates have to have a degree in order to sit for the exam, as the ARRT exam is accepted

by NY State in the licensing process. This new requirement does not mean that currently licensed Radiologic Techs who do not have a degree will be required to get a degree.