Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has signed into law a bill making Virginia the 24th state to license, regulate, or recognize radiologist assistants as members of the radiology healthcare team.
HB 1939 takes effect on July 1 and provides for the licensure of radiologist assistants as individuals who have met the requirements of the state Board of Medicine for licensure as advanced-level radiologic technologists.
Under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy specializing in radiology, radiologist assistants will be allowed to:
- Assess and evaluate the physiological and psychological responsiveness of patients undergoing radiologic procedures
- Evaluate image quality, make initial observations, and communicate observations to the supervising radiologist
- Administer contrast media or other medications prescribed by the supervising radiologist
- Perform or assist the supervising radiologist who is performing any other procedures consistent with the guidelines adopted by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
Related Reading
Virginia considers licensing radiologist assistants, January 29, 2009
ASRT: Registered radiographers aid in forensics, January 16, 2009
ARRT to require associate's degree, September 26, 2008
The radiology job market: Help wanted, November 23, 2006
Demand rises for locum tenens radiologists, November 1, 2006
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