DC FAQs By WSCA Staff
I have a staff member I want to become a Chiropractic X-ray Technician, but the training requirements seem onerous. How can I get my staff trained without completely upending my practice?
As many have learned, a number of changes were made in the last few years to the standards for Chiropractic X-ray Technicians (CXTs). The background behind these changes is lengthy and this answer is aimed at explaining the process or reasoning involved; rather, this answer will address what the current standards are, what options are available to meet them, and what time investment will be needed from the CXT’s employing DC.
As of July 1, 2024, the training requirements for new CXTs include: 72 classroom hours of instruction from a CQAC-approved training program, 30 hours of which must be done in-person, and completion of a written and practical proficiency exam with a score of at least 70%.
For a program to be approved, it must cover: physics and equipment, principles of radiographic exposure, radiation protection, anatomy, radiographic positioning and procedures, and topics that address the requirements listed in WAC 246-808-565 (radiographic standards). It must also include a written and practical proficiency exam, and it must be taught by qualified instructor(s). A qualified instructor must be a chiropractor with no disciplinary action on their license in the preceding five years, and they must fit at least one of the following criteria: (a) a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (DACBR), (b) a chiropractor who has been licensed for at least five years with at least five years of practice experience taking X-rays, or (c) a chiropractor who has on-campus or postgraduate faculty status in the field of radiology.
As of the publication of this issue of Plexus, there is currently only one CQAC-approved CXT training program. The chiropractor operating that program is Susan L. Vlasuk, DC, DACBR.
Dr. Vlasuk’s program is run in a two-phase, class/lab arrangement. The 30 in-person classroom hours are taught by Dr. Vlasuk directly over the course of two weekends. For the lab or practical element, students are trained in a clinic by associate instructors. These associate instructors are generally the DCs who employ those students, but other arrangements may sometimes be made. As long as the employing DC meets the instructor qualifications listed above, though, they can teach their staff the practical elements. This does place a considerable time commitment on those DCs, but at least it gives some flexibility in scheduling those lessons.
If you are interested in this option, you can learn more by visiting
www.drvxray.com.
Additional programs will be added to the CQAC website as they are approved. The list of approved CXT training programs can be found at the following address, at the bottom of the page under “Chiropractic X-ray Technician” within the “Education Requirements” field:
https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and- certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor- chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements
Each issue of Plexus features several frequently asked questions about chiropractic in Washington. If you have any questions you’d like to see shared in the magazine, please submit them to:
Washington State Chiropractic Association
c/o Shaka Forest, Membership Director 1120 Pacific Ave., Ste. 206 Tacoma, WA 98402
wsca@chirohealth.org
12 www .ch ir oh ealth.or g
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