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MIRS Educator Practice Standards

Definition

Medical imaging and radiologic sciences (MIRS) educators are professionals who prepare learners for entry into, advancement within, and leadership across a variety of imaging and radiologic sciences disciplines. These include, but are not limited to, bone densitometry technologists, cardiac/vascular interventional radiography technologists, computed tomography technologists, imaging assistants, limited practice technicians, magnetic resonance technologists, mammographers, medical dosimetrists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, radiographers, radiologist assistants, and sonographers.

MIRS educators prepare graduates to demonstrate the knowledge and clinical competence necessary to provide safe, patient-centered healthcare as members of an interprofessional healthcare team. MIRS educators play a critical role in entry-level, postprofessional, graduate, and continuing professional education as imaging technologies and therapies evolve and new imaging and therapeutic disciplines emerge. They cultivate and mentor learners by promoting academic excellence and integrating scientific knowledge, technical proficiency, and patient-centered communication. They foster critical thinking and the development of independent, professional, and ethical judgment.

Education and Certification Qualifications

MIRS educators are educationally prepared and clinically competent in the imaging or therapeutic disciplines for which they provide instruction. They hold and maintain appropriate professional credentials, as applicable, to sustain expertise and awareness of advances in professional practice.

MIRS educators demonstrate educational preparation and professional competence consistent with their instructional, administrative, and leadership responsibilities. They meet applicable institutional and accreditation requirements and demonstrate preparation in evidence-based teaching and learning practices.

MIRS educators engage in ongoing professional development to maintain and advance their competence as educators, support instructional effectiveness, and contribute to program quality.

Scope of Practice

The scope of practice of MIRS educators encompasses the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of educational programs in medical imaging and radiologic sciences.

MIRS educators apply principles of adult learning and evidence-based pedagogy in a holistic manner that recognizes the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences learners bring to the educational environment. Educators acknowledge and incorporate learners’ prior experiences to support meaningful engagement and professional development.

Within their scope of practice, MIRS educators develop, implement, and evaluate programmatic and course curricula; facilitate learner development, professional growth, and, as applicable, clinical competence; conduct and analyze course-level and program-level assessment data; support compliance with institutional, regulatory, and accreditation standards; and foster learning environments that promote professionalism, ethical conduct, and mutual respect across didactic, laboratory, clinical, hybrid, and online settings.

MIRS educators demonstrate effective oral, written, and electronic communication skills and model professional behavior through reflective practice, ethical decision-making, and mentorship. 

Teaching and Learning Performance Standards

The purpose of the MIRS Educator Practice Standards is to provide a framework for effective practice in medical imaging and radiologic sciences education. The Standards identify professional expectations that support quality teaching and learning, learner development, program effectiveness, and the ongoing professional growth of MIRS educators across diverse educational settings and roles. The Standards may be used to guide reflective practice, professional development, and continuous improvement in MIRS education.


Standard One – Creating an environment for effective facilitation of learning
    The MIRS educator creates and sustains learning environments that support engagement, critical inquiry, and professional development.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Implements a variety of adult learning strategies appropriate to learner needs, instructional objectives, content, and context
      • Grounds instructional approaches in adult learning theory and evidence-based teaching practices
      • Provides accessible resources and support strategies that address diverse learner needs
      • Engages in reflective practice and ongoing professional development to improve instructional effectiveness
      • Integrates emerging technologies, including but not limited to artificial intelligence (AI) tools, in a manner that enhances learning while promoting ethical and responsible use
      • Designs learning experiences that promote critical thinking and clinical reasoning
      • Fosters a respectful, inclusive, and supportive learning environment
      • Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and adaptability in instructional practice
      • Collaborates with academic and clinical colleagues to promote positive and effective learning environments
      • Serves as a professional role model within medical imaging and radiologic sciences
Standard Two – Facilitating student professional development and interpersonal communication skills
    The MIRS educator promotes student professional formation, ethical practice, and effective interpersonal communication.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Utilizes effective advising, mentoring, and communication strategies to support students in achieving academic and professional goals
      • Facilitates student socialization into the medical imaging and radiologic sciences profession and encourages reflective practice and professional goal setting
      • Models and promotes effective interpersonal communications across didactic, laboratory, clinical, hybrid, and online learning environments
      • Guides students in developing skills in self-assessment and constructive peer evaluation
      • Designs learning experiences that promote teamwork, collaboration, and effective group dynamics
      • Demonstrates professional engagement through participation in professional organizations, commitment to lifelong learning, scholarly dissemination, and advocacy for the medical imaging and radiologic sciences profession
Standard Three – Using effective learning assessment and evaluation strategies
    The MIRS educator implements systematic and evidence-based assessment and evaluation practices to measure student learning, clinical competence, and program effectiveness.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Develops and applies evidence-based assessment and evaluation strategies
      • Communicates assessment criteria, expectations, and evaluation processes clearly to learners
      • Designs and utilizes standardized assessment instruments to evaluate student learning in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains across didactic, laboratory, clinical, hybrid, and online environments
      • Evaluates the validity, reliability, and ethical implications of technology-enhanced and AI-supported assessment tools
      • Aligns assessment methods with stated learning outcomes and competencies
      • Provides timely, constructive, and actionable feedback to support student learning and professional growth
Standard Four – Designing program curricula
    The MIRS educator designs, implements, and continuously evaluates curricula that support student achievement, professional competence, and compliance with institutional and national standards.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Develops learner-centered program curricula grounded in established educational principles, including a program mission, goals, student learning outcomes, course content, instructional methods, and assessment strategies
      • Ensures curriculum alignment with institutional requirements, institutional mission, and applicable national educational and accreditation standards
      • Designs curricula that promote equitable access and address diverse learner characteristics
      • Develops and implements course-level learning outcomes, as appropriate to state-mandated or program requirements, and aligns instructional methods and assessment strategies with those outcomes
      • Implements a systematic program assessment plan to evaluate student achievement and program effectiveness
      • Analyzes program data, including student performance, graduate outcomes, and employer feedback, to inform continuous curricular improvement
      • Uses valid and reliable assessment evidence to guide programmatic decision-making
      • Conducts periodic curriculum review and needs assessment to ensure alignment with current professional practice in medical imaging and radiologic sciences
Standard Five – Professional leadership development and scholarly contributions
    The MIRS educator demonstrates ongoing professional growth, leadership, and scholarly engagement that advance medical imaging and radiologic sciences education and practice.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Maintain professional competence through lifelong learning and retention of appropriate professional credentials
      • Participates in continuing education and engages in state, national. or international professional organizations
      • Establishes and sustains collaborative partnerships across academic institutions, clinical affiliates, and professional networks
      • Engages in reflective practice and uses feedback from students and peers to improve performance
      • Remains current in evidence-based teaching practices, assessment strategies, student development, and healthcare trends
      • Contributes to the profession through scholarship, presentations, research, and peer-reviewed dissemination
      • Fulfills institutional expectations related to teaching, scholarship, and service
      • Develops leadership competencies to advocate for and advance education and professional practice
      • Mentors and supports the professional growth of colleagues and emerging educators
      • Demonstrates competence in proposal development for program initiatives, research, or resource acquisition
      • Demonstrates digital and AI literacy relevant to medical imaging and radiologic sciences education and clinical practice
Standard Six – Managing or assisting with programmatic responsibilities
    The MIRS educator manages or supports programmatic operations to ensure regulatory compliance, student success, and program integrity.
      The MIRS educator, as appropriate to role:
      • Maintains accurate student records in accordance with institutional and applicable federal regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
      • Complies with patient privacy and confidentiality requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), across educational and clinical environments
      • Develops, implements, and enforces program policies, including maintenance of a student handbook, in alignment with institutional grievance and due process procedures
      • Ensures compliance with national, institutional, and programmatic accreditation standards recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
      • Maintains awareness of general education requirements, professional curriculum standards, and certifying agency policies relevant to the discipline
      • Manages or supports recruitment, admissions, and retention processes with institutional mission and strategic goals
      • Develops, monitors, and adheres to program budgets and seeks external funding or grant support, as appropriate
      • Addresses student concerns and conflict using established institutional procedures and facilitates referrals to student support services when indicated
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Email: info@aeirs.org

Phone:‪ (570) 647-4118‬

Billing/Mailing Address:
2800 Stafford Avenue #4474
Scranton, PA 18505

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