Page 5 - JRCERT Pulse Newsletters

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the JRCERT

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the only References
organization recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for the accreditation of traditional and
distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic Council for Higher Education
resonance, and medical dosimetry. In May 2021, CHEA’s Board of Directors adopted a formal Accreditation. (2023). Diversity,
statement addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
equity, and inclusion
“The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a non-profit service
statement. Accessed Diversity,
organization, cultivates and supports an environment that demonstrates
appreciation for and values the diversity of its institutions of higher education, Equity and Inclusion Statement
accreditors, board and staff, and all who are served by these groups. We believe | Council for Higher Education
that life experiences and heritages of these groups contribute to the richness of
CHEA’s policies, procedures, and daily operations. Accreditation (chea.org)
January 11, 2023.
CHEA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusiveness guides its mission and its
support for equitable treatment for institutions of higher education, families and
students.” (CHEA, 2023). Joint Review Committee on
Education in Radiologic
Similarly, the JRCERT added the following Core Value: “The JRCERT strives to incorporate
diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of our accreditation work and interactions with Technology. (2021). 2021
our communities of interest.” (JRCERT, 2022). While the JRCERT has always maintained a Standards for an Accredited
culture that embraces DEI, events in recent years have prompted a more transparent
emphasis. While we recognize that our accredited programs possess a vast array of Educational Program. Accessed
sponsors, missions, and goals, it is required that they comply with the JRCERT Standards, 2021-Radiography-
which include specific objectives addressing various aspects of DEI.
Standards.pdf (jrcert.org) on
For example, Standard One, Objective 1.1 states, “The sponsoring institution and program
January 11, 2023.
provide students, faculty, and the public with policies, procedures, and relevant information.
Policies and procedures must be fair, equitably applied, and readily available.” Standard
One, Objectives 1.2 and 1.3, require the sponsoring institution and program to have policies Joint Review Committee on
and practices regarding recruitment of faculty and students, as well as employment and
Education in Radiologic
admissions practices to be non-discriminatory and consistent with their published policies
(JRCERT, 2021). Technology. (2022). JRCERT
Core Values. Accessed at About
Additionally, this philosophy extends to not only our organization and accredited programs,
but throughout the accreditation process. When performing the onsite evaluation, the site JRCERT - JRCERT on January 11,
visit team is required to read the following Commitment to Quality Statement at the opening 2023.
meeting and exit summation:

“The JRCERT is committed to excellence in education and believes that quality
Joint Review Committee on
cannot be compromised. Integrity and high ethical principles are the fundamental
values that guide the JRCERT in assuring a fair and unbiased accreditation process. Education in Radiologic
Our site visitors value the diversity of our programs and safeguard the education Technology. (2022). JRCERT
of students by verifying that programs utilize equitable policies and procedures.
The JRCERT remains steadfast in assuring that these core values are reflected confidentiality, commitment to
throughout the site visit.” (JRCERT, 2022). quality, and exit statements.
Knowing that diversity, equity, and inclusion contribute to not only student success but the Accessed at https://
success of the sponsoring institution and program affirms its importance in today’s society. wordpress-1182231-4152295.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/
Assuring DEI policies and practices at the program and sponsoring institution levels will lead
uploads/2023/01/
to progressive, successful radiologic science imaging and therapeutic professionals for the
healthcare team. Confidentiality-Quality-and-Exit
-Statements.pdf on January
11, 2023.

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