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PACS systems generate and manage medical images and related information, typically in radiology, but also for other specialties such as cardiology, endoscopy, radiation therapy, etc. PACS systems are often used as a means to transition a film and paper based imaging environment into a electronic environment whereby images are generated and managed in a digital format. Professionals are needed to support these sophisticated and complex systems. These professionals need to be trained and keep up with new technologies and skill sets.
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| What does PARCA do? |
PARCA does NOT provide training and/or education, however, its purpose is to develop criteria for the skills that are needed for these professionals, and also provide a certification for those people that have proven to meet those requirements.
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| How does PARCA do that? |
PARCA is an independent organization, governed by an advisory board that come from the industry as well as the providers. These officers define the requirements and oversee the certification process.
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| Why not using existing trade organizations for this? |
There is not a single trade organization who exclusively is dedicated to PACS administrators, although some of them are close (e.g. SCAR, HIMSS, AHRA, ARRT, ASRT). Our advisory board members are also members of these organizations; we will keep an open dialogue with these professional organizations to explore any joint interest and potential mutual recognition of certifications.
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| How does the certification work? |
PARCA offers four types of certifications. The exams are taken on-line. The certification is good for 3 years after the exam has been taken, after that, re-certification can be done taking 2 "refresher exams" based on new technologies that are used. Examples of these can be new advances in display and/or archiving or network security technology, new standards such as the Electronic Health Record, etc.
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