Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB2929%20intr.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=2929
Timestamp: 2018-02-23 11:27:01
Document Index: 19142491

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(By Delegates Marshall, Fleischauer,
Barill and Hunt)
A BILL to repeal §30-23-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and amend and reenact §30-23-2, §30-23-3, §30-23-4, §30-23-5, §30-23-6, §30-23-7, §30-23-8, §30-23-9, §30-23-10, §30-23-11, §30-23-12, §30-23-13, §30-23-14, §30-23-15, §30-23-16, §30-23-17, §30-23-18, §30-23-19, §30-23-20, §30-23-21, §30-23-22, §30-23-23, §30-23-24, §30-23-25, §30-23-26, §30-23-27, §30-23-28 and §30-23-29, all relating to radiologic technologists; the practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy; unlawful acts; applicable law; definitions; renaming the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board; powers and duties of the board; rule making; fees, special revenue account and administrative fines; requirements for radiologic technology license and exemptions; scope of practice for a radiologic technologist; scope of practice for a radiation therapist; requirements for temporary medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license; license from another state and license to practice in this state; requirements for nuclear medicine technologist license and scope of practice; requirements for magnetic resonance imaging technologist license and scope of practice; requirements for sonographer license and scope of practice; requirements for an apprentice license for nuclear medicine technologists, magnetic resonance imaging technologists and diagnostic medical sonographer; requirements for podiatric medical assistant permit and scope of practice; license and permit renewal requirements; display of license; complaints, investigations, due process procedure, grounds for disciplinary; procedures for hearing, right of appeal and judicial review; injunctions; and criminal proceedings and misdemeanor penalties.
That §30-23-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be repealed; and that §30-23-2, §30-23-3, §30-23-4, §30-23-5, §30-23-6, §30-23-7, §30-23-8, §30-23-9, §30-23-10, §30-23-11, §30-23-12, §30-23-13, §30-23-14, §30-23-15, §30-23-16, §30-23-17, §30-23-18, §30-23-19, §30-23-20, §30-23-21, §30-23-22, §30-23-23, §30-23-24, §30-23-25, §30-23-26, §30-23-27, §30-23-28 and §30-23-29, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
(a) It is unlawful for any person to practice or offer to practice medical imaging or radiation therapy technology in this state without a license, apprentice license, temporary license, or podiatry medical assistant permit issued under the provisions of this article, or advertise or use any title or description tending to convey the impression that the person is a licensed medical imaging technologist or radiation therapy technologist, unless such person has been duly licensed under the provisions of this article, and such license, apprentice license, temporary license, or podiatry medical assistant permit has not expired, been suspended or revoked.
(1) "Accreditation" or "accredited" means recognition by a nationally recognized organization recognized by the board and the United States Department of Education that verifies a medical imaging or radiation therapy educational program's compliance with defined national standards for training and competence in the medical imaging or radiation therapy modality;
(2) "Advanced Nurse Practitioner" means a person licensed as an Advanced nurse practitioner who has been granted and maintains prescriptive authority.
(3) "Apprentice license" means a license issued by the board to:
(A) Provide a five-year grace period following enactment of provisions of this article for implementation of certification requirements for those persons who have been practicing a specific medical imaging modality but have not earned the certification required by the board for licensure;
(B) Permit cross-training of medical imaging modalities.
(4) "Approved school" means an educational program in a medical imaging modality or subspecialty that has been accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization that is recognized by the board and whose graduates are qualified to sit for a certification examination recognized by the board in the graduate's medical imaging modality or subspecialty.
(5) "ARDMS" means the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
(b) (6) "ARMRIT" means the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.
(c) (7) "ARRT" means the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist.
(a) (8) "ASPMA" means the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.
(d) (9) "Board" means the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners.
(e) (10) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity providing medical imaging or radiation therapy technology.
(11) "CAAHEP" means the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
(12) “CMA" means the Canadian Medical Association.
(13) "Certification organization" means a nationally recognized organization recognized by the board that issues credentials through testing or evaluations that determine that a person meets defined standards for training and competence in a medical imaging or radiation therapy modality.
(f) (14) "Dental X-rays" means X-rays taken of the oral cavity with x-ray units designed for this specific performance.
(15) "Diagnostic medical sonography" means the use of nonionizing high frequency soundwaves with specialized equipment to direct the sound waves into areas of the human body for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.
(16) "Graduate" means an individual who has completed the didactic and clinical education at an approved school, including documented clinical proficiency, but who has not met all requirements for certification by a certification organization.
(17) "JRC-CVT" means the Joint Review Committee on Cardiovascular Technology.
(18) "JRC-DMS" Means the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
(g) (19) "JRCERT" means the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
(h) (20) "JRCNMT" means the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
(i) (21) "License" means a medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license issued under the provisions of this article.
(j) (22) "Licensed practitioner" means a person licensed in West Virginia to practice medicine, chiropractic, podiatry, osteopathy or dentistry.
(k) (23) "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued under the provisions of this article.
(l) (24) "Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI" means the performance of medical imaging using radio waves, magnetic fields and a computer to produce images of the body tissues.
(25)"Medical Imaging" means image production through the use of ionizing, nonionizing, or electromagnetic radiation, or radioactivity for diagnostic evaluation of human anatomy, tissue, or organs, or other therapeutic purposes, pursuant to an order or prescription by a licensed practitioner.
(26) "Medical Imaging / Radiation Therapy modality" means:
(n) (27) "NMTCB" means the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
(o) (28) "Nuclear medicine technologist" means a person holding a nuclear medicine license issued under the provisions of this article.
(p) (29) "Nuclear medicine technology" means the compounding, calibrating, dispensing and administrating of radio- pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals and radio-nuclides under the direction of an individual listed as an authorized user by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the production of images for diagnosis and/or treatment of various disorders.
(dd) (30) "Nurse-midwife" means a person licensed as a Nurse-Midwife who has been granted and maintains prescriptive authority.
(31) "Permit" means a podiatric medical assistant permit issued under the provisions of this article.
(q) (32) "Permittee" means any person holding a podiatric medical assistant permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(r) (33) "PET/CT Technologist" means an individual recognized by the board as qualified to operate a PET/CT scanner.
(s) (34) "PET/CT Technology" means the operation of a Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography scanner to view internal images of the body.
(35) "Physician assistant" means a person certified or licensed as a physician assistant by the Board of Medicine or Board of Osteopathy, or both licensed and certified, who has been granted and maintains prescriptive authority.
(t) (36) "Podiatric medical assistant" means a person who has been issued a permit under the provisions of this article, to perform podiatric radiographs.
(u) (37) "Podiatric radiographs" means radiographs confined to the foot and ankle performed on dedicated podiatric X-ray equipment.
(38) "Point-Of-Care Ultrasound" refers to the use of ultrasound in real-time fashion to make immediate assessments in patient care and where the qualifications and expertise of the operator of such equipment is limited to basic equipment operations.
(v) (39) "Practice of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology" means the practice of radiologic technology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, and magnetic resonance imaging technology and diagnostic medical sonography.
(w) (40) "Radiologic technologist" means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who applies medical imaging or assists in the application of ionizing radiation to human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
(x) (41) "Radiologic technology" means the application of ionizing radiation or assisting in the application of medical imaging ionizing radiation to human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
(y) (42) "Radiologist" means a licensed practitioner who has successfully completed a residency in the field of Radiology and specializes in the use of medical imaging for the diagnosis or treatment of disease.
(z) (43) "Radiologist Assistant or RA" means an individual who is licensed under the rules of the West Virginia Board of Medicine and has completed specialized training from an accredited program in the profession and passed a written examination as recognized by the West Virginia Board of Medicine.
(aa) (44) "Radiology resident" means a licensed practitioner who is in training to become a radiologist and who uses medical imaging in the diagnosis or treatment of disease, under the supervision of a Radiologist.
(45) "Sonographer" or "Diagnostic Medical Sonographer" means a person, including a vascular sonographer, echocardiographer, or other than a licensed practitioner, who provides patient care services using ultrasound;
(46) "Student" means an individual enrolled in an approved school.
(bb) (47) "Supervision" means responsibility for and control of quality, safety and technical aspects in the application of medical imaging technology on human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
(cc) (48) "Technology" means medical imaging technology or radiation therapy technology.
(49) "Temporary license" means a license issued by the board to permit graduates of approved programs to work for a limited time in the applicable medical imaging modality while preparing for and completing a certification examination.
(50)"Ultrasound" means the use of nonionizing high frequency soundwaves [above 20,000 cycles per second (Hz)] with specialized equipment to direct the sound waves into areas of the human body to generate images for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions.
(a) The West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners is continued and is renamed West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board. The members of the board in office, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.
(b) The board shall consist of the following eleven thirteen members, appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate:
(2) Three licensed practitioners, two one of whom shall be Radiologists a radiologist;
(3) Three licensed radiologic technologists, one of whom shall be an active medical imaging educator;
(4) One licensed nuclear medicine technologist;
(5) One licensed magnetic resonance imaging technologist; and
(6) One licensed radiation therapist;
(7) One licensed sonographer; and
(6) (8) Two citizen members, who are not licensed under the provisions of this article and do not perform any services related to the practice licensed under the provisions of this article.
(c) Each member shall be appointed for a term of three five years and may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A member having served two consecutive full terms may not be appointed for one year after completion of his or her second full term. A member continues to serve until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. The terms shall be staggered in accordance with the initial appointments under prior enactments of this article.
(e) The Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists serving on the board A licensed member shall maintain an active license with the board.
(h) A licensed member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her license authorization to practice has been suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction or A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if he or she is convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United States, or becomes a nonresident of this state jurisdiction.
(l) The board shall hold at least two annual meetings annually. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of two four members, at such time and place as designated in the call or request.
(2) Establish requirements for a license, apprentice license, temporary license and permit;
(3) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for a license, apprentice license, temporary license and permit;
(5) Provide standards for approved schools of medical imaging and radiation therapy technology and programs within schools, procedures for obtaining and maintaining approval, and procedures of revocation of approval where standards are not maintained: Provided, That the standards for approved schools meet at least the minimal requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist JRCERT, JRCNMT or standards determined programmatically equivalent by the board applicable minimum accreditation requirements of JRCERT, JRCNMT, CAAHEP (in accordance with standards established by the JRC-DMS or JRC-CVT) or CMA, or standards determined programmatically equivalent by the board;
(7) Prepare, conduct, administer and grade written, oral or written and oral examinations for a license, certificate and registration; Where medical imaging or radiation therapy examinations are not available from a certification organization recognized by the board, prepare, conduct, administer and grade written, oral or written and oral examinations for a license, certificate and registration;
(17) Establish, by legislative rule, the continuing education requirements for licensees and permittees; certificate holders and registrants; and
(3) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke or reinstate a license, apprentice license, temporary license or permit; certificate and registration;
(1) Standards and requirements for licensure, apprentice licensure, temporary licensure and permits to practice medical imaging or radiation therapy technology;
(6) Procedures for the issuance and renewal of a license, apprentice license, temporary licensure and permit;
(8) Continuing education requirements for licensees and permittees;
(10) Requirements for inactive or revoked licenses, apprentice licenses, temporary licensure and permits; and
(a) All fees and other moneys, except administrative fines, received by the board shall be deposited in a separate special revenue fund in the State Treasury designated the “Board of Examiners of Medical Imaging Technology Fund”, which fund is hereby continued. The fund shall be used by the board for the administration of this article. Except as may be provided in article one of this chapter, the board shall retain the amounts in the special revenue account from year to year. No compensation or expense incurred under this article is a charge against the General Revenue Fund.
(10) Establish or maintain, or both, intravenous infusion, and
prepare and administer medications incidental to medical imaging procedures, including, but not limited to, contrast agents, only when ordered by a qualified physician, advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is immediately available: Provided, That the technologist is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and is educationally prepared and clinically competent to do so. An institution may limit the scope of practice for a technologist by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this provision may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(11) Maintaining values congruent with the profession’s Code of Ethics and scope of practice as well as adhering to national, institutional and/or or departmental standards, or both, policies and procedures regarding delivery of services and patient care; and
(12) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard
(13) Performing any other duties that the board authorizes for a Radiologic Technologist.
(5) Maintaining values congruent with the profession’s Code of Ethics and scope of practice as well as adhering to national, institutional and/or or departmental standards, or both, institutional and department standards, policies and procedures regarding treatment delivery and patient care; and
(6) Establish or maintain, or both establish and maintain, intravenous infusion and prepare and administer medications incidental to medical imaging procedures, including, but not limited to, contrast agents, only when ordered by a qualified physician, advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is immediately available: Provided, That the technologist is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is educationally prepared and clinically competent to do so. An institution may limit the scope of practice for a technologist by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this provision may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(7) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard
(8) Performing any other duties that the board authorizes for a Radiation Therapist.
§30-23-12. Exemptions from radiologic Ttchnology license.
(1) A medical imaging technology student enrolled in and attending an approved school program of medical imaging technology who as part of his or her course of study applies performs medical imaging technology to a human being under the supervision of a licensed medical imaging technologist;
(2) A person acting as a dental assistant or dental hygienist who under the supervision of a licensed dentist operates only radiographic dental equipment for the sole purpose of dental radiography of the oral cavity or ultrasonic equipment for dental procedures;
(4) A licensed practitioner, Radiologist or Radiology resident; A licensed practitioner or a resident performing medical imaging authorized under their medical specialty’s scope of practice and authorized by the institution’s or facility’s policies;
(6) A registered nurse licensed by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses who performs point-of-care ultrasound for immediate patient care (i.e. - fetal positioning, bladder volume, ultrasound guided line inserts or other examinations, or both, approved by the board);
(7) A Therapist or assistant (physical or Occupational), licensed by the appropriate state licensing board, who uses ultrasound for therapeutic purposes only; and
(6) (8) A person who demonstrated to the board, prior to July 1, 1999, that he or she:
(3) Holds a valid medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license, certificate or other authorization, including the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Credentialing International or equivalent to practice Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology the same medical imaging modality or modalities in another jurisdiction and meets requirements which are substantially equivalent to the medical imaging and radiation therapy technology licensure requirements set forth in this article;
(5) (A) National certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine
Technologist (CNMT) or national certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N)) or;
(5) (B) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(A) (i) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences pertaining to the medical imaging or radiation therapy profession;
(B) (ii) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in other disciplines of medical imaging with successful completion of courses in the following areas: college algebra, physics or chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, and radiation safety;
(F) (D) National certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T));
(6) Qualify for and pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing scaled score of seventy-five, percent, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of medical imaging, radiation safety, skills and techniques as it pertains to nuclear medicine technology.
(c) A nuclear medicine echnology license issued by the board prior to July 1, 2007, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this article: Provided, That a person holding a nuclear medicine technology license issued prior to July 1, 2007, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(F) Establish or maintain, or both establish and maintain, intravenous infusion and prepare and administer medications incidental to nuclear medicine procedures, including, but not limited to, contrast agents, only when ordered by a qualified physician, advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is immediately available: Provided, That the technologist is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is educationally prepared and clinically competent to do so. An institution may limit the scope of practice for a technologist by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this provision may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(G) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions;
(H) Administration of nonradioactive pharmaceuticals utilized in conjunction with a nuclear medicine imaging or in-vivo procedure, for example, cholecystokinin, furosemide, vitamin B12, in accordance with hospital or facility procedures, excluding narcotic and sedating medication;
(G) (I) Selection of appropriate imaging or test parameters, or both;
(H) (J) Obtaining images according to established protocols and any special views to optimize information as appropriate;
(I) (K) Placement of patient in proper position using supportive materials and immobilizer as necessary;
(J) (L) Assuring appropriate image labeling as to patient;
(K) (M) Monitoring of patient and equipment during procedure for determination and application of any corrective actions necessary;
(L) (N) Monitoring of data collection and processing and performance of technical analysis of test results;
(M) (O) Preparation and performance of laboratory in-vivo nuclear medicine procedures, inclusive of the selection and operation of laboratory counting equipment, performance of calculations and data processing necessary for completion of lab procedures and the submission of results to the physician or licensee;
(N) (P) Oversight and application of image development; and
(O) (Q) Performance of in-vitro testing of serum, plasma, or other body fluids using radio immunoassay, or similar ligand assay methods.
(A) Preparation, by means of tagging, compounding, etc, in accordance with manufacturer's specifications;
(F) Maintaining values congruent with the profession’s code of ethics and scope of practice as well as adhering to national, institutional and/or or departmental standards, or both institutional and departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding delivery of services and patient care; and
(A) A Nuclear Medicine Technologist, (ARRT(N) or NMTCB) or certified PET Technologist may administer radiopharmaceuticals and/or or ionizing radiation, or both radiopharmaceuticals and ionizing radiation, from an integrated multimodality device, if the ionizing radiation is produced for the sole purpose of attenuation correction and considered an essential component of the procedure, provided the licensee has obtained proper documented training that has been approved by the board in the radiation safety aspect of the operation of these units; and
(4) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony under the laws of any state or the United States at any time if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of medical imaging, which conviction remains unreversed;
National certification as an MRI technologist (ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT);
(C) (iii) National certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT);
(D) (iv) National certification as a Registered Radiographer (ARRT (R));
(E) (v) National certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N)); or
(F) (vi) National certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T); or and
(6) Qualify for and pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing scaled score of seventy-five, percent, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of medical imaging, radiation safety, skills and techniques as it pertains to magnetic resonance imaging.
(3) Assist with scheduling patients and coordinating exams to assure smooth work flow and review patient’s chart to verify physician’s orders;
(5) Obtain patient’s medical history prior to scan and observe patient’s vital signs, O2 saturation, patient’s level of consciousness during scanning procedure, and observe patient’s physical status prior to discharge from the scanning procedure;
(7) Evacuate patient in emergency situation (e.g, quench, code, metallic object);
(9) Inspect equipment to make sure it is operable and safe (e.g, coils, cables, door seals), perform document and interpret the results of daily QC tests (center frequency, signal to noise, image quality and artifacts);
(11) Position patient according to type of study indicated and enter patient’s data needed to initiate scan;
(12) Establish or maintain, or both, intravenous infusion and prepare and administer medications incidental to nuclear medicine procedures, including, but not limited to, contrast agents, only when ordered by a qualified physician, advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is immediately available: Provided, That the technologist is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is educationally prepared and clinically competent to do so. An institution may limit the scope of practice for a technologist by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this provision may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(13) Explain the risks of contrast media injections, obtain signed consent form, determine appropriate dose required, program or activate the power injector and administer the contrast media;
(14) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions;
(13) (15) Select all parameters needed to obtain a highly diagnostic image;
(14) (16) Archive images to or retrieve images from data storage devices;
(15) (17) Evaluate quality of filmed images and reformat images;
(16) (18) Perform automatic or manual frequency tuning;
(17) (19) Differentiate between normal and abnormal images to assess completion of procedure;
(18) (20) Monitor image production and discriminate between technically acceptable and unacceptable images;
(19) (21) Maintaining values congruent with the profession’s code of ethics and scope of practice as well as adhering to national, institutional and/or or departmental standards, or both institutional and departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding delivery of services and patient care; and
(20) (22) Perform any other duties that the board authorizes.
§30-23-19. Requirements for a sonographer license.
This licensure is intended for operators of medical ultrasound equipment who perform ultrasound for the purpose of capturing images for submission to a physician for an interpretation.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice as a sonographer, the applicant must:
(3) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for licensure, which conviction remains unreversed;
(4) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction at any time if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of medical imaging, which conviction remains unreversed.
(5) National certification as a diagnostic medical sonographer, registered cardiac sonographer or registered vascular sonographer; or
(7) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(B) Have a baccalaureate or associate degree in other disciplines of medical imaging with successful completion of courses in the following areas: college algebra, physics or chemistry, human anatomy, physiology and radiation safety;
(E) National certification as a Registered Radiographer
specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N));
(F) National certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T);
(G) National certification as an MRI technologist (ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT);
(H) Registered nurse; and
(8) Qualify for and pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing scaled score of seventy-five, which examination shall cover the basic subject matter of medical imaging, safety skills and techniques as it pertains to diagnostic medical sonography.
(b) A person qualifying for a sonographer license as a registered cardiac sonographer or registered vascular sonographer can only perform ultrasound examinations as it relates to their certification.
(c) A person seeking a sonographer license shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay the license fee, which fee shall be returned to the applicant if the license application is denied.
§30-23-19. Scope of practice for diagnostic medical sonography.
The scope of practice for diagnostic medical sonography includes the following:
(1) Perform sonography and related procedures pursuant to an order or prescription of a licensed practitioner, advanced nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife or physician assistant. These procedures may be for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes;
(2) Prepare the patient for procedures, including providing instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation and minimize anxiety;
(3) Obtain or verify patient's clinical history and informed consent in accordance with institutional policy;
(4) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions;
(5) Select and operate medical ultrasound equipment and related devices to achieve desired results;
(6) Position patient and equipment to best achieve desired results, respecting patient ability and comfort while preventing patient and sonographer injury;
(7) Use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care;
(8) Establish or maintain, or both establish and maintain, intravenous infusion and prepare and administer medications incidental to Sonography procedures, including, but not limited to, contrast agents, only when ordered by a qualified physician, advanced nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is immediately available: Provided, That the sonographer is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and is educationally prepared and clinically competent to do so. An institution may limit the scope of practice for a sonographer by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this provision may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(9) Document diagnostic and patient data and provide oral or written preliminary findings to the licensed practitioner to aid in patient diagnosis and management in accordance with institutional policy;
(10) Maintain records and comply with confidentiality laws and policies;
(11) Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities in accordance with institutional policy;
(12) Provide basic life support as necessary;
(13) Provide patient education as necessary;
(14) Provide clinical instruction for students or other health care professionals, or both students and other health care professionals, as necessary in accordance with institutional policy;
(15) Adhere to the principle of "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) for patient exposure to nonionizing radiation;
(16) Maintain values congruent with the profession's Code of
Ethics and scope of practice as well as adhere to national, institutional or departmental standards, or both institutional and departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding delivery of services and patient care; and
(17) Perform any other duties that the board authorizes for a sonographer.
§30-23-20. Requirements for an apprentice license for nuclear medicine technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging technologists and diagnostic medical sonographer.
(a) The board may issue an apprentice license to an individual who is practicing as a nuclear medicine technologist or a magnetic resonance imaging technologist prior to July 1, 2007 but has not obtained certification in the discipline imagine modality. A notarized letter, signed by the individual’s supervising licensed physician, must be submitted with the individual’s application, stating that the individual has performed the duties of a nuclear medicine technologist or magnetic resonance imaging technologist prior to July 1, 2007.
(b) The board may issue an apprentice license to an individual who is practicing as a diagnostic medical sonographer prior to July 1, 2011 but has not obtained certification in the imaging modality. A notarized letter, signed by the individual's supervising licensed physician, must be submitted with the individual's application, stating that the individual has performed the duties of a diagnostic medical sonographer prior to July 1, 2011.
(b) (c) The An apprentice license is valid for one year. An apprentice license may be renewed annually for an additional four years, giving the individual a total of five years to complete meet the requirements and successfully pass the certification examination for a nuclear medicine technologist license or a magnetic resonance imaging technologist license or a diagnostic medical sonographer license. All individuals possessing an apprentice license must work under the supervision of a licensed practitioner for MRI and sonography, an authorized user for nuclear medicine or a technologist an individual who is licensed in that discipline.
(c) (d) Any individual possessing a valid medical imaging license issued by the board and seeks to cross-train in the discipline of nuclear medicine technology or magnetic resonance imaging technology or a diagnostic medical sonographer license, may obtain an apprentice license in that discipline for the purpose of obtaining the necessary clinical experience requirements in order to qualify to sit for the required examination. This apprentice license will be valid for one year and renewable for four years, giving allowing a cross-trained individual five years to obtain certification in the discipline.
§30-23-21. Requirements for podiatric medical assistant permit.
§30-23-22. Scope of practice for podiatric medical assistants.
§30-23-23. License and permit renewal requirements.
(e) An application submitted electronically for a license, renewal of a license or a temporary license shall be considered as signed by the applicant.
§30-23-24. Display of license.
(b) A licensee or permittee shall conspicuously display his or her license or permit at his or her principal place of practice. A photocopy of the original license or permit shall be conspicuously displayed at his or her secondary place of employment.
§30-23-25. Complaints; investigations; due process procedure; grounds for disciplinary action.
(12) Any conduct adversely affecting the licensee’s or permittee’s fitness to perform Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy Technology; or
(5) Having had a license or other authorization revoked or suspended, other disciplinary action taken or an application for licensure or other authorization revoked or suspended by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction;
§30-23-25. Procedures for hearing; right of appeal.
(c) If the hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge, at the conclusion of a hearing, the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed written order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law. The proposed order may contain proposed disciplinary actions if the board so directs. The board may accept, reject or modify the decision of the administrative law judge.
(d) Any member or the executive director of the board may administer oaths, examine any person under oath and issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum.
(d) If, after a hearing, the board determines the licensee or permittee has violated any provision of this article, or the board’s rules, a formal decision shall be prepared and signed by a member of the board or the executive director of the board, which contains findings of fact, conclusions of law and specifically lists the disciplinary actions imposed.
(b) The board may fine and/or or issue cease and desist orders, or both fine and issue cease and desist orders, against individuals and/or or firms, or both individuals and firms, found to be in violation of the provisions of this article or any rule adopted thereunder.
(b) If a court of law finds that a person knowingly violated any provision of this article, any rule promulgated hereunder, any order of the board or any final decision of the board, then the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars and no more than $1,000 for each violation, imprisoned for up to six months for each violation, or both fined and imprisoned.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to revise the article on radiologic technologists; the practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy and renaming the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board. The original §30-23-1 dealing with licensing requirements is repealed. The remaining sections in this article have been renumbered and are treated as having been amended and reenacted with appropriate strikethroughs or underscoring. If the only change is in the section heading, the entire section is underscored.