I plan to introduce legislation to provide licensing for all medical imaging specialists, radiation therapists and radiologist assistants in the Commonwealth. 

Unlike doctors and nurses, there is no state requirement for medical imaging professionals and radiation therapists to be licensed to use the sophisticated and highly advanced equipment that enables accurate medical imaging and therapy. These new technologies allow advances in medical treatment that once was considered impossible. Those advances, however, carry additional risks from increased exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. This legislation will ensure that the medical professionals operating medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment are properly trained, certified, and licensed for the equipment they use.
 
This licensing program would fall under the purview of the State Board of Medicine. Specialty areas (modalities) within the medical field that would be licensed under this legislation include radiography (x-ray operation), nuclear medicine, diagnostic sonography (ultrasound), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and radiation therapy. The bill also addresses the field of radiologist assistants, which are advanced radiography specialists.
 
The bill establishes the scope of practice for each modality, sets requirements for the licensure and renewal of licenses, determines proper training, and develops standards to improve medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Medical imaging professionals work under the supervision of licensed practitioners similarly to medical doctors and osteopathic physicians in the imaging of patients. Those licensed practitioners would not be affected by this legislation, nor would dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, or veterinarians.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.


 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1821: P.L.457, No.112, P.L.154, No.13, P.L.233, No.64, P.L.177, No.175