SVU Position Papers

Statement on Multiple Professional Credentials

Appropriate credentialling (registration) of vascular technologists serves to protect the public health by discriminating between practitioners with and those without entry-level competence and minimum knowledge and skills. To assist in the determination of appropriate credentialling programs, the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) has established "Guidelines for Evaluation of Credentialling for Vascular Technologists." These guidelines, developed by SVU to protect public health, specify the mechanisms or processes that must be in place for a Vascular Technology credentialling program to meet its objectives.

Multiple credentials certifying individuals in the same specialty can result in confusion among potential candidates, employers seeking qualified employees, third party payers who are increasingly requiring demonstrated technical competence, and most importantly, patients. All credentialling programs need to be assessed for their value. An initial assessment should address whether the establishment of the credential responds to needs within the medical community. Credentialling organizations should respond to needs of the patient population to ensure appropriate medical or technical practice. Prior to development of a credential, an organization should demonstrate an unmet need in the field and provide evidence that its examination will meet that need. If a credential already exists, the organization should demonstrate how the competing credential is superior. The establishment of an examination outside these principles speaks towards the furthering of objectives other than to ensure high quality patient care. Such actions should be discouraged; their credentials should remain unrecognized by the medical community. SVU believes it is necessary to take a strong and unyielding position on this issue, in the best interest of the membership and the patients we serve.

The design and implementation of credentialling programs that meet a need to ensure appropriate patient care should also be evaluated. SVU urges interested parties to use its guidelines as part of this assessment. For example, SVU evaluated the RVT credential offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) against our guidelines. The ARDMS is an independent, non-profit organization that administers examinations and awards credentials in the areas of diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, and vascular technology. Since its inception in 1975, the ARDMS has certified more than 35,000 individuals. These credentials are endorsed by several professional organizations and are recognized throughout the medical and allied health community. Additionally, exemplary practices in providing the RDMS, RDCS, and RVT credential have earned the ARDMS a Category "A" membership in the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. After completion of the evaluation, SVU formally endorsed the RVT credential as evaluating minimum entry level competency and the current standard in the field of Vascular Technology.

These guidelines shall remain in effect for three years unless extended, revised or rescinded by the SVU Board of Directors prior to that time.

29 August 1999