Z-0500.5 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5775
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Senators L. Kreidler, West and Johnson; by request of Department of Health.
Read first time February 19, 1991. Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.
AN ACT Relating to the regulation of persons who apply ionizing radiation to human beings; amending RCW 18.84.010, 18.84.020, 18.84.030, and 18.84.040; adding new sections to chapter 18.84 RCW; repealing RCW 43.131.349, 43.131.350, and 18.84.900; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 18.84.010 and 1987 c 412 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
It is
the intent and purpose of this chapter to protect the public ((by setting
standards of qualification, education, training, and experience for use))
by the certification and registration of practitioners of radiological
technology. By promoting high standards of professional performance, by
requiring professional accountability, and by credentialing those persons who
seek to provide radiological technology under the title of radiological
technologists, and by regulating all persons utilizing ionizing radiation on
human beings this chapter identifies those practitioners who have achieved
a particular level of competency. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed
to require that individual or group policies or contracts of an insurance
carrier, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization
provide benefits or coverage for services and supplies provided by a person
certified under this chapter.
The legislature finds and declares that this chapter conforms to the guidelines, terms, and definitions for the credentialing of health or health-related professions specified under chapter 18.120 RCW.
Sec. 2. RCW 18.84.020 and 1987 c 412 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1)
"Department" means the department of ((licensing)) health.
(2) (("Director"
means the director of licensing)) "Secretary" means the
secretary of health.
(3)
"Licensed practitioner" means a physician or osteopathic physician
licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW, respectively; a registered nurse
licensed under chapter 18.88 RCW; ((or)) a ((podiatrist)) podiatric
physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW; a naturopath
licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW; a physician assistant licensed under chapter
18.71A or 18.57A RCW; a dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW; a dental
hygienist licensed under chapter 18.29 RCW; or a chiropractor licensed under
chapter 18.25 RCW.
(4) "Radiologic technologist" means an individual certified under this chapter, other than a licensed practitioner, who practices radiologic technology as a:
(a)
Diagnostic radiologic technologist, who is a person who actually handles x-ray
equipment in the process of applying radiation on a human being for diagnostic
purposes ((under the supervision)) at the direction of a licensed
practitioner; or
(b) Therapeutic radiologic technologist, who is a person who uses radiation-generating equipment for therapeutic purposes on human subjects at the direction of a licensed practitioner; or
(c)
Nuclear medicine technologist, who is a person who prepares
radiopharmaceuticals and administers them to human beings for diagnostic and
therapeutic purposes and who performs in vivo and in vitro detection and
measurement of radioactivity for medical purposes ((under the supervision))
at the direction of a licensed practitioner.
(5) "Advisory committee" means the Washington state radiologic technology advisory committee.
(6) "Approved school of radiologic technology" means a school of radiologic technology approved by the council on medical education of the American medical association or a school found to maintain the equivalent of such a course of study as determined by the department. Such school may be operated by a medical or educational institution, and for the purpose of providing the requisite clinical experience, shall be affiliated with one or more general hospitals.
(7) "Radiologic technology" means the use of ionizing radiation upon a human being for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
(8) "Radiologist" means a physician certified by the American board of radiology or the American osteopathic board of radiology.
(9) "Registered x-ray technician" means a person who is registered with the department, and who applies ionizing radiation at the direction of a licensed practitioner.
Sec. 3. RCW 18.84.030 and 1987 c 412 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
No
person may ((represent himself or herself to the public as a certified
radiologic technologist without holding a valid certificate to practice under
this chapter)) practice radiologic technology without being registered
or certified under this chapter, unless that person is a licensed practitioner
as defined in RCW 18.84.020(3). A person represents himself or herself to
the public as a certified radiological technologist when that person adopts or
uses a title or description of services that incorporates one or more of the
following items or designations:
(1) Certified radiologic technologist or CRT, for persons so certified under this chapter;
(2) Certified radiologic therapy technologist, CRTT, or CRT, for persons certified in the therapeutic field;
(3) Certified radiologic diagnostic technologist, CRDT, or CRT, for persons certified in the diagnostic field; or
(4) Certified nuclear medicine technologist, CNMT, or CRT, for persons certified as nuclear medicine technologists.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The secretary may issue a registration to an applicant who submits, on forms provided by the department, the applicant's name, the address, occupational title, name and location of business where applicant performs his or her services, and other information as determined by the secretary, including information necessary to determine whether there are grounds for denial of registration under this chapter or chapter 18.130 RCW. Each applicant shall pay a fee as determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250. The secretary shall establish by rule the procedural requirements and fees for registration and for renewal of registrations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The secretary may provide educational materials and training to registered x-ray technicians, certified radiologic technologists, licensed practitioners and the public concerning, but not limited to, health risks associated with ionizing radiation, proper radiographic techniques, and x-ray equipment maintenance. The secretary may charge fees to recover the cost of providing educational materials and training.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or restrict the practice of a profession by a person who is either registered, certified, licensed, or similarly regulated under the laws of this state who is performing services within the person's authorized scope of practice.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Persons required to register under this chapter must be registered by January 1, 1992.
Sec. 8. RCW 18.84.040 and 1987 c 412 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) In
addition to any other authority provided by law, the ((director)) secretary
may in consultation with the advisory committee:
(a) Adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, necessary to implement this chapter;
(b)
Set all registration, certification, and renewal fees in
accordance with RCW ((43.24.086)) 43.70.250;
(c) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter;
(d) Evaluate and designate those schools from which graduation will be accepted as proof of an applicant's eligibility to receive a certificate;
(e) Determine whether alternative methods of training are equivalent to formal education, and to establish forms, procedures, and criteria for evaluation of an applicant's alternative training to determine the applicant's eligibility to receive a certificate;
(f) Issue a certificate to any applicant who has met the education, training, and conduct requirements for certification; and
(g) Issue a registration to an applicant who meets the requirement for a registration.
(2) The secretary may hire clerical, administrative, and investigative staff as needed to implement this chapter.
(((2)))
(3) The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs the
issuance and denial of registrations and certifications, unregistered
and uncertified practice, and the discipline of registrants and
certificants under this chapter. The ((director shall be)) secretary
is the disciplining authority under this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 4 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 18.84 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
(1) RCW 43.131.349 and 1990 c 6 s 1 & 1987 c 412 s 18;
(2) RCW 43.131.350 and 1990 c 6 s 2 & 1987 c 412 s 19; and
(3) RCW 18.84.900 and 1987 c 412 s 13.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991.