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Dear PARCA members,
There will be some significant changes coming up over the next few months in our organization. We are looking forward to bringing a renewed focus and level of energy to PARCA with our new board, which will be in place January 1, 2009.
The catalyst for these changes was the disappointing result of discussions we held this summer with representatives of the American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII), the organization that administers the Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) certification. (For further information, see the press release on the PARCA Web site).
 During the past few years, it has become obvious that both the PARCA and the CIIP certification each have an intrinsic value; namely, allowing PACS professionals to follow a career track and professional certification that best fits their needs. Both the ABII and PARCA have been successful in certifying hundreds of PACS professionals; proof that they are distinct paths that allow professionals to tailor their education and certification, to their career goals.
As such, it has been our contention that there is no reason for two organizations to manage professional PACS certification; one group should be able to administer both the PARCA and CIIP knowledge tracks. At the initiation of the ABII, talks were held this summer to explore this goal at the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) headquarters.
Our intent in participating in these discussions was to explore the possibility of a single organization that could provide a unified framework for professional PACS certification. We also wanted to ensure that the investment of those who have selected PARCA is preserved; both for those who have achieved our certifications as well as for those in the process of preparing for their certification.
 At the meeting, the ABII proposed that all PARCA certifications would cease to exist. In addition, the ABII suggested that not all PARCA certifications would be eligible for CIIP re-certification. Most likely, some of our current certifications (CPIA, CPSA and CPSM) would be eligible for the CIIP re-certification process, and that potentially (but not for certain), only some of our CPAS would be eligible. The PARCA advisory board believes the current ABII proposal does not meet the interests of our members.
PARCA will be an independent organization for the foreseeable future, and a new organizational structure will be put in place. The new board will have a strong international membership, including representatives from Australia, Asia and Canada. PARCA recognizes that PACS education is not solely a U.S.-based effort, and thus will be providing its experience and leadership to the international community for healthcare IT technology as well as professional qualification and certification.
Our new board will set the strategic direction of PARCA. Issues to be addressed in the near term (over the next 24 months) are: potential re-certification requirements; marketing and growth outside the U.S.; strategic relationships with other international organizations; and forming relationships with other U.S.-based groups such as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), among others. Beginning next year, PARCA will be converted to a 501(c)-(3) organization; which is recognition by the IRS as a non-profit group.
In addition, bringing certification requirements up-to-date and adjusting the competency exams to reflect these new requirements will be accomplished. The role of our current advisory board will change to that of a test advisory board. This group will suggest curricula changes and prepare exams to ensure that PARCA students are able to demonstrate their professional skills with the latest technologies in healthcare IT.
Last but not least, to celebrate this new direction we are giving away Certified PACS Administrator T-shirts to each person who passes their exams through the end of this year* (T-shirts can also be purchased through the web site).
The coming year promises to be one of change and growth in PARCA, but rest assured that our fundamental mission has not changed. We will continue to provide global leadership to healthcare IT professionals for quality education and certification in PACS technology.
Please contact Suzanne at Suzanne@pacsadmin.org if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
 Herman Oosterwijk, PARCA advisory board
*Monday Oct 20, 2008 thru Dec 31, 2008 only. One free t-shirt per member will be sent with your certificate.
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