BILL REQ. #:  S-3817.1 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to radiology assistants; amending RCW 18.84.010, 18.84.020, and 18.84.030; and adding a new section to chapter 18.84 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.84.010 and 1991 c 222 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to protect the public 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 or radiology assistants, 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 2000 c 93 s 42 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 health.
     (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.
     (3) "Licensed practitioner" means any licensed health care practitioner performing services within the person's authorized scope of practice.
     (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 at the direction of a licensed practitioner, this includes parenteral procedures related to radiologic technology when performed under the direct supervision of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW; ((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, this includes parenteral procedures related to radiologic technology when performed under the direct supervision of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW; ((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 at the direction of a licensed practitioner; or
     (d) Radiologist assistant, who is an advanced-level certified radiologic technologist who has completed an academic program encompassing a radiologist assistant curriculum from an approved school of radiologic technology and a radiologist-directed clinical preceptorship who:
     (i) Works to enhance patient care under the indirect supervision of a radiologist, by assisting the radiologist in the diagnostic imaging environment; and
     (ii) Performs advanced diagnostic procedures, as permitted by rule, under the general supervision of a radiologist, including radiology procedures, invasive procedures, procedures as delegated by a radiologist, and the types of injection of contrast media and radioactive isotopes material allowed.
     (5) "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.
     (6) "Radiologic technology" means the use of ionizing radiation upon a human being for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
     (7) "Radiologist" means a physician certified by the American board of radiology or the American osteopathic board of radiology.
     (8) "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 and who does not perform parenteral procedures.

Sec. 3   RCW 18.84.030 and 1991 c 222 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     No person may 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; or
     (5) Certified radiologist assistant or certified radiology practitioner assistant for persons so certified under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 18.84 RCW to read as follows:
     It shall be considered unprofessional conduct under chapter 18.130 RCW for any person registered or certified under this chapter to interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe medications or therapies.