We bid our beloved Penny a fond farewell and wish her all splendid things in retirement. In each issue of this newsletter, I'll continue to present frequently asked questions (FAQs) or other information of particular importance for medical physicists. You may also check out the ACR's accreditation web site portal for more FAQs, accreditation application information, and QC forms.

The ACR recently clarified requirements regarding medical physicist assistants and MR scientist assistants. The following FAQs address the ACR's requirements for use, training, and supervision of these assistants. Please contact us at accreditation@acr.org if you have questions.

Q. The ACR CT, MRI and Breast MRI Accreditation Program Requirements say that a medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) "may be assisted" by properly trained individuals in obtaining data in accordance with applicable regulations during the conduct of surveys and that the assisting individual must be under the direct supervision of the medical physicist (or MR scientist) during the surveys. However, the ACR Quality Control Manual says that the tests should be performed by the qualified medical physicist (or MR scientist) and does not mention the use of assistants. Is the use of assistants permissible?
A. Yes, the use of assistants that are directly supervised by the medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) is permissible.

Q. With regards to assistants, the ACR CT, MRI and Breast MRI Accreditation Program Requirements say that the medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) may be assisted by "properly trained" individuals in obtaining data in accordance with applicable regulations. Who is responsible for determining if the assisting individual is "properly trained?"
A. The medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) is responsible for determining if the assisting individual is "properly trained."

Q. With regards to assistants, the ACR CT, MRI and Breast MRI Accreditation Program Requirements say that "direct supervision" means that the medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) must be present in the facility and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. Can direct supervision be provided via phone or teleconference?
A. No. It is the intent of "direct supervision" that the person doing the supervision be physically present in the facility. Being "present in the facility" does not mean teleconferencing with the assistant. This would be "general supervision".

Q. With regards to assistants, the ACR CT, MRI and Breast MRI Accreditation Program Requirements say that "direct supervision" means that the medical physicist (or MR scientist for MRI accreditation) must be present in the facility and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. What does "the facility" mean?
A. For ACR accreditation purposes, "the facility" means "a geographical location where imaging is performed". It could consist of a single building or a group of buildings in close proximity such as those on a hospital campus. An office owned by the facility that is across town would not be considered part of the same facility and would be accredited as a different facility.

Q. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is developing guidance regarding the use of medical physicist extenders. Will the ACR Accreditation Program requirements be consistent with this guidance?
A. Once the AAPM has completed their guidance on medical physicist extenders, the ACR physics subcommittees will review it and determine if changes to the current accreditation program requirements would be appropriate.