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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the value of joining the AAMD?
The AAMD is a proactive organization that represents the Professional Medical Dosimetrist. The organization functions as a non-profit and operates under a charter and by-laws that govern the association. The interest of the Medical Dosimetrist is represented to other organizations allied within the Radiation Oncology field, and the healthcare community, in general, via highly qualified liaisons and the Board of Directors. In addition, the AAMD works to further the profession through public relations, education, various committees, and sponsorship of regional and national seminars and workshops, and in many other ways. Visit the Membership Benefits area of the website to see more information.
What are the dues and where is the money spent? Why can't the dues be lowered?
The membership dues are currently $150.00 US. Like any corporation, be it for profit or not, there is a carefully drawn up budget that balances cash in-flows and expenditures as a cost of doing business. Cash in-flows come from dues and journal advertising and royalty fees. Some of the costs are journal publication, telephone conference calls necessary for the Board and Committees to conduct AAMD business, legal and accounting expenses, supplies and postal expenses, and fees not so obvious such as the web site hosting fees and Internet Domain Name Registration fees to be able to offer you this informational web site. The accounting information is made available to the membership at the Annual Meeting and by request directed to the Treasurer.
What is the relationship between the AAMD and the MDCB?
The AAMD is the association of members that promotes the profession and represents the interests of the Medical Dosimetry professional. The AAMD does not have any governance over any aspect of the CMD exam or credentialing.
The Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) also promotes the profession of Medical Dosimetry by offering a recognized international certification exam. Individuals must meet specific requirements in order to take the exam. Passing the exam enables a Medical Dosimetrist to use the credential CMD after their name.
The AAMD and the MDCB communicate via liaisons and have a good symbiotic relationship. More information about the MDCB can be found on their website: www.mdcb.org.
Where is the AAMD located?
The AAMD has an administrative office and staff to perform many office type duties such as maintenance of mailing lists, printing, copying, mailing, etc. The administrative office also provides services such as managing incoming phone calls and emails, marketing, accounting, maintaining website information, membership renewals, etc. The AAMD Administrative Office contact information is:
AAMD
12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 130
Reston, VA 20190
Email: aamd@medicaldosimetry.org
Phone: (703) 234-4063
Fax: (703) 435-4390
How many educational credits do I need to maintain MDCB credentials?
Why do I need educational credits?
Who sponsors these credits? Why doesn't AAMD track CE credits for members like the ASRT does for ARRT?
The AAMD is not responsible for establishing the number of credits needed to maintain certification or to keep track of continuing education credits for CMD's. The AAMD is also not responsible for approving MDCB credits. All questions relating to CMD renewal, continuing education credit maintenance or approval, etc. must be directed to the MDCB at www.mdcb.org.
How do I get CE credits via the AAMD?
Joining the AAMD will provide you with a resource of information on meetings across the U.S. and Internationally. You will also be able to enjoy the benefit of directed journal readings via the AAMD journal. There are regional meetings sponsored by the AAMD as well as the national meeting, which have a lower registration fee as a benefit of membership. The meeting organizers have done all the work for you; all you have to do is attend, gather the proof of attendance at the end of each seminar, and send it to the MDCB when it comes time to declare your credits for the year.
How can I participate in my Professional Organization?
Like any professional organization, much of the work is done by volunteers working on committees. If you have a special interest in a certain area, please contact your regional director or the committee chairperson listed. There is much to be done and your participation is always welcome.
Why is the Directed Journal Reading quiz not published with the article in the same journal?
In other organizations, authors may write the articles and the quizzes. This allows both to be published in the same issue. In the AAMD journal, the author writes the article, but the DJR committee writes the quizzes. The committee does not know in advance which articles will appear in the journal with enough time to get MDCB credit approval and then provide quizzes in the same issue. However, the AAMD has provided the quizzes online via the AAMD website and members can access all journal issues online via Elsevier. This has made the process more user-friendly.
Why are the Directed Journal Reading quizzes not automated in sending my credits to the MDCB?
MDCB does not allow this process at this time but they are currently working on this issue.
Why are the articles and quizzes published in the journal mostly written by physicists and physicians?
The majority of the articles submitted are written by physicians and physicists. We strongly urge more medical dosimetrists to submit articles. The AAMD has proactively initiated writing/presenting workshops at the regional and annual meetings to help provide tools for medical dosimetrists who want to publish an article or present a lecture.
Why do only certain articles have quizzes associate with them?
The committee reviews all articles appearing in the journal. They choose two that are suitable for developing questions.
Why doesn't the directed journal reading quiz CE credits count towards ASRT/ARRT credit?
At this time, it is not feasible to acquire ARRT category A credits. In order to receive category A credit, the article lecture must be approved by a RCEEM which is acceptable by the ARRT. ASRT is such an organization but their rules for granting credit for journal articles do not make it worthwhile to pursue. In all probability, each quiz would only be worth 0.5 CEU since they assign credit based on the number of questions associated with it. There is a financial cost in addition to author release paperwork and numerous other forms to be completed for each quiz. The MDCB is currently in the process of investigating the possibility of being an approved RCEEM. Visit the MDCB website for more information.
Why doesn't AAMD offer insurance discounts or other types of discounts?
We are always looking for ways to enhance benefits by collaborating with other industries to provide additional services to members at a discount.
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