Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-09-.08 - RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND ROLE DELINEATION

(1) Before being authorized to perform any x-ray procedure or operate any x-ray equipment in a physician's office, the supervising staff radiologist shall place a copy of the person's renewal certificate in the person's personnel file to prove the person being authorized has the appropriate certification required for either or both the procedure being performed and/or the equipment being used and that such certification is current.

(2) The radiologist assistant shall evaluate the day's schedule of procedures with the supervising staff radiologist and determine where the radiologist assistant's skills will be best utilized.

(3) After demonstrating competency the radiologist assistant when ordered to do so by the supervising radiologist may:

(a) perform selected procedures under the direct supervision of a radiologist including static and dynamic fluoroscopic procedures;

(b) assess and evaluate the physiologic and psychological responsiveness of patients undergoing radiologic procedures;

(c) participate in patient management including acquisition of additional imaging for completion of the examination and record documentation in medical records;

(d) evaluate image quality, make initial image observations and communicate observations to the supervising radiologist; and

(e) administer intravenous contrast media or other prescribed medications.

(4) The use of conscious sedation/moderate sedation requires the physical presence in the room, with the patient, of the supervision radiologist.

(5) The radiologist assistant may not interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe medications or therapies.

(6) The radiologist assistant shall adhere to the code of ethics of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and to national, institutional and/or departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding the standards of care for patients.

(7) For the purposes of this rule, "direct supervision" means the radiologist must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of all procedures. "Direct supervision" does not mean that the supervising radiologist must be present in the room when the procedure is performed.

(8) A certificate holder may be disciplined in the same manner, for the same causes and pursuant to the same procedures as any physician pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-6-214.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-09-.08

Original rule filed November 23, 2005; effective February 6, 2006. Amendment to rule filed July 24, 2006; effective October 10, 2006

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, 63-6-224, and 63-6-237.