Answer: Unfortunately, no. Here is the reason why it probably cannot be done. RT to RPA is comparable to RN to MSN. Like the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Practitioner (NP), the Radiologic Physician Assistant is considered to be an RT advanced practitioner. Radiologic Technology is a profession related to completing a specific educational program. An RT is certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) after completing an accredited educational program, and passing a certification exam. This gives the practitioner the right to use the title Registered Technologist and its abbreviation "R.T.(R)" in connection with his or her name as long as the requirements for registration of the certificate is maintained. The ARRT considers certification as the process of initially recognizing individuals who have satisfied certain standards the profession. Registration is the annual procedure required to maintain registration of the certification. Registration is for those who have fulfilled the requirements for initial certification, and continue to meet the continuing education requirements annually.

The RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist) is a professional CREDENTIAL, offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). The exam can be taken by cardiovascular technologists, nurses, RTs, EMTs, PAs, and other allied health professionals who work in invasive cardiology. It is inclusive, designed to unite the multiple disciplines working in the cath lab environment with a unique, cath lab-specific credential. Like the ARRT exams, this CCI Registry exam gives the practitioner the right to use the title Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist and its abbreviation, RCIS, in connection with his or her name, as long as the requirements for registration are maintained.

Since the RCIS is a credential that is offered to allied health professionals from multiple disciplines, it is highly unlikely we will see an RCIS to PA program. Perhaps if the American College of Cardiology creates a program/profession specifically for cardiovascular PAs, they would accept the RCIS credential to meet the pre-requisites for entry into the program. Again, since Physician Assistants are a specific individual professional group, I believe this would be very unlikely. There are a number of professional societies for physician assistants, but I am not sure if there are specialty certifications such as cardiology or neurology.

Kenneth A. Gorski, RN, RCIS, FSICP
Assistant Manager
Cleveland Clinic Cardiac
Catheterization Labs
Chairman, Professional
Standards Committee
The Society of Invasive
Cardiovascular Professionals
gorskik@ccf.org

[Editor's note: APAC is the Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiology. Their website page notes: APAC is focusing on establishing closer ties with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), as APAC encourages its members to become active members of the ACC as Cardiac Care Associates. APAC also focuses on establishing closer ties with the American Heart Association (AHA). More information can be found at www.cardiologypa.org]