Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb616%20intr.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=616
Timestamp: 2018-03-18 08:09:33
Document Index: 743889226

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A BILL to repeal §30-23-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §30-23-2, §30-23-4, §30-23-5, §30-23-6, §30-23-7, §30-23-10, §30-23-11, §30-23-12, §30-23-14, §30-23-15, §30-23-16, §30-23-17, §30-23-18, §30-23-19, §30-23-22, §30-23-23, §30-23-24, §30-23-25, §30-23-26 and §30-23-27 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §30-23-18a and §30-23-18b, all relating to radiologic technologists; defining the practice of “medical imaging” and “radiation therapy”; defining additional terms; renaming the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board; setting out the powers and duties of the board; establishing rulemaking; setting out requirements for radiologic technology license and exemptions; establishing the scope of practice for a radiologic technologist; establishing the scope of practice for a radiation therapist; setting out the requirements for temporary medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license; setting out requirements regarding license from another state and license to practice in this state; providing requirements for nuclear medicine technologist license and scope of practice; providing for requirements for magnetic resonance imaging technologist license and scope of practice; setting out requirements for sonographer license and scope of practice; setting out requirements for an apprentice license for nuclear medicine technologists, magnetic resonance imaging technologists and diagnostic medical sonographer; setting out requirements for podiatric medical assistant permit and scope of practice; establishing license and permit renewal requirements; setting out display of license requirements; clarifying complaint, investigation, due process procedure and grounds for disciplinary action; clarifying procedures for hearing, right of appeal and judicial review; setting forth injunction procedure; and clarifying criminal proceedings and misdemeanor penalties.
That §30-23-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be repealed; that §30-23-2, §30-23-4, §30-23-5, §30-23-6, §30-23-7, §30-23-10, §30-23-11, §30-23-12, §30-23-14, §30-23-15, §30-23-16, §30-23-17, §30-23-18, §30-23-19, §30-23-22, §30-23-23, §30-23-24, §30-23-25, §30-23-26 and §30-23-27 of said code be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto two new section, designated §30-23-18A and §30-23-18b, all to read as follows:
(a) “ASPMA” means the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.
(1) “ARDMS” means the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
(b) (2) “ARMRIT” means the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.
(c) (3) “ARRT” means the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist.
(4) “ASPMA” means the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.
(5) "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;
(6) "Advanced nurse practitioner" means a person licensed as an advanced nurse practitioner.
(7) "Apprentice license" means a license issued by the board to:
(A) Provide a 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;
(8) "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.
(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.
(12) “CCI” means Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
(13) “CMA" means the Canadian Medical Association.
(14) "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) (15) “Dental X-rays” means X-rays taken of the oral cavity with x-ray units designed for this specific performance.
(16) "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.
(17) "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.
(18) "JRC-CVT" means the Joint Review Committee on Cardiovascular Technology.
(19) "JRC-DMS" means the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
(g) (20) “JRCERT” means the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
(h) (21) “JRCNMT” means the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
(i) (22) “License” means a medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license issued under the provisions of this article.
(j) (23) “Licensed practitioner” means a person licensed in West Virginia to practice medicine, chiropractic, podiatry, osteopathy or dentistry.
(k) (24) “Licensee” means a person holding a license issued under the provisions of this article.
(l) (25) “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.
(m) “Medical Imaging” means the use of ionizing radiation, electromagnetic radiation, or radioactivity for evaluation of body tissue in order to diagnose injury and disease by means of image production.
(26) “Medical imaging” means image production through the use of ionizing, nonionizing or electromagnetic radiation, high frequency sound waves or radioactivity for diagnostic evaluation of human anatomy, tissue, organs or other therapeutic purposes pursuant to an order or prescription by a licensed practitioner.
(27) “Medical Imaging/Radiation Therapy” modality means:
(E) Radiography and all its subspecialities.
(n) (28) “NMTCB” means the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
(o) (29) “Nuclear medicine technologist” means a person holding a nuclear medicine license issued under the provisions of this article.
(p) (30) “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.
(31) “Nurse midwife” means a person licensed as a nurse midwife pursuant to the provisions of article fifteen of this chapter.
(32) “Permit” means a podiatric medical assistant permit issued under the provisions of this article.
(q) (33) “Permittee” means any person holding a podiatric medical assistant permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(r) (34) “PET/CT Technologist” means an individual recognized by the board as qualified to operate a PET/CT scanner.
(s) (35) “PET/CT Technology” means the operation of a Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography scanner to view internal images of the body.
(36) “Physician assistant” means a person licensed or certified as a physician assistant by the Board of Medicine pursuant to the provisions of article three, section sixteen of this chapter or the Board of Osteopathy pursuant to the provisions of article fourteen-a of this chapter.
(t) (37) “Podiatric medical assistant” means a person who has been issued a permit under the provisions of this article, to perform podiatric radiographs.
(u) (38) “Podiatric radiographs” means radiographs confined to the foot and ankle performed on dedicated podiatric X-ray equipment.
(39) “Point-of-care ultrasound” means the use of ultrasound in real-time fashion or 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) (40) “Practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy technology” means the practice of radiologic technology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology and magnetic resonance imaging technology.
(w) (41) “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) (42) “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) (43) "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) (44) “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) (45) “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.
(46) “Sonographer” or “diagnostic medical sonographer” means a person who provides patient care services using ultrasound and includes a vascular sonographer, echocardiographer or other licensed practitioner.
(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.
(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.
§30-23-5. Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board.
(a) The West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners is continued. Effective July 1, 2012, the board shall be renamed the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 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.
(2) Three licensed practitioners, two of whom one shall be Radiologists a radiologist;
(e) The Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists serving on the board shall maintain an active license with the board. All members who are required to be licensed as a condition of board membership 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. 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.
(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 for JRCERT, JRCNMT, CAAHEP (in accordance with standards established by the JRC-DMS or JRC-CVT) or CMA, or standards determiner programmatically equivalent by the board;
(7) Prepare, conduct, administer and grade written, oral or written and oral examinations for a license, certificate and registration Prepare conduct, administer and grade written, oral or written and oral examinations for a license, certificate and registration. If medical imaging or radiation therapy examinations are not available from a certification organization recognized by the board;
(3) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke or reinstate a license, apprentice license, temporary license or permit, certificate and registration;
§30-23-7. Legislative rule-making authority.
(1) Standards and requirements for licensure, apprentice licensure temporary license and permits to practice medical imaging or radiation therapy technology;
(6) Procedures for the issuance and renewal of a license, apprentice license, temporary license and permit;
(a) The scope of practice of a radiologic technologist includes the following:
(10) Establishing or maintaining, or both, intravenous infusion, and preparing and administering 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;
(12) Use aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions; and
(12) (13) Performing any other duties that the board authorizes for a radiologic technologist.
(b) An institution may limit the scope of practice for a technologist by institutional policy. However, nothing contained in this section may be construed to permit any entity the authority to expand the scope of practice outlined in this section.
(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) Establishing or maintaining, or both establishing and maintaining, intravenous infusion and preparing and administering 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 precautions; and
(6) (8) Preforming any other duties that the board authorizes for a radiation therapist.
(4) A licensed practitioner or a resident performing medical imaging authorized under their medical speciality’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 which shall include, but is not limited to, fetal positioning, bladder volume, ultrasound guided line inserts or other examinations, or both, approved by the board;
(7) A Therapist or physical or occupational assistant licensed by the appropriate state licensing board, who uses ultrasound for therapeutic purposes only; and
§30-23-14. Medical imaging and radiation therapy technology license from another state+; license to practice in this state.
(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) Have a national certification as a certified nuclear medicine technologist or a national certification as a registered radiographer specializing in nuclear medicine; or
(C) (iii) Have a national certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT);
(D) (iv) Have a national certification as a Registered Radiographer (ARRT (R));
(E) (v) Have a national certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N)); or
(F) (vi) Have a national certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T)); and
(6) Qualify for and pass an examination which has been approved by the board, with a minimum passing 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.
(a) The scope of practice for nuclear medicine technology includes the following:
(C) Immediate prates review of patient's identification, prescribed dose quantity and route of administration, and identification of the test agent designed to prevent dose mis-administration;
(D) Preparation of the appropriate radio pharmaceutical with measurement of dose activity;
(E) Administration of appropriate diagnostic dose levels of radio pharmaceuticals;
(F) Establishing or maintaining, or both establishing and maintaining, intravenous infusion and preparing and administering 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;
(G) Using aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions;
(F) (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;
(2) The practice for handling radio pharmaceuticals which includes:
(D) Recording of radio pharmaceutical information on a patient's permanent record.
(B) Oversight of radiation safety practices related to the handling and administration of radio pharmaceuticals for therapy of patients;
(A) A Nuclear Medicine Technologist, (ARRT(N) or NMTCB) or certified PET Technologist may administer radio pharmaceuticals and/or or ionizing radiation or both radio pharmaceuticals 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
(b) 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.
(5) (A) Have a national certification as an MRI technologist (ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT); or
(5)(B) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(E) (v) Have a national certification as a Registered Radiographer specializing in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT (N));
(F) (vi) Have a 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.
(a) The scope of practice for magnetic resonance imaging technology includes the following:
(1) Make Making arrangements with other departments for ancillary patient services (e.g. transportation, anesthesia);
(2) Orient Orienting patient and family to requirements necessary for the exam and instruct patient regarding preparation prior to imaging procedures;
(3) Assist Assisting with scheduling patients and coordinating exams to assure smooth work flow and review patient’s chart to verify physician’s orders;
(4) Assist patient Assisting patients on and off the scanning table and maintain maintaining communication and provide providing reassurance to patient patients throughout scanning procedure procedures;
(5) Obtain Obtaining 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;
(6) Maintain Maintaining controlled access to restricted area of strong magnetic field to ensure safety of patients, visitors, and hospital personnel and screen patient for ferrous and RF-sensitive material prior to entrance into magnetic field;
(7) Evacuate patient Evacuating patients in emergency situation situations (e.g., quench, code, metallic object);
(8) Provide Providing hearing protection to patient patients and others;
(9) Inspect Inspecting equipment to make sure it is operable and safe (e.g., coils, cables, door seals), perform document and interpret performing, documenting and interpreting the results of daily QC tests (center frequency, signal to noise, image quality and artifacts);
(10) Monitor Monitoring specific absorption rate (SAR) and cryogen levels;
(11) Position patient Positioning patients according to type of study indicated and enter entering patient’s data needed to initiate scan;
(12) Establishing or maintaining, or both, intravenous infusion and preparing and administering 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;
(12) Explain (13) Explaining the risks of contrast media injections, obtain obtaining signed consent form forms, determine determining appropriate dose required, program or activate the power injector and administer the contrast media;
(14) Using aseptic technique and observing universal standard precautions;
(13) Select (15) Selecting all parameters needed to obtain a highly diagnostic image;
(14) Archive (16) Archiving images to or retrieve images from data storage devices;
(15) Evaluate (17) Evaluating quality of filmed images and reformat images;
(16) Perform (18) Performing automatic or manual frequency tuning;
(17) Differentiate (19) Differentiating between normal and abnormal images to assess completion of procedure;
(18) Monitor (20) Monitoring image production and discriminate between technically acceptable and unacceptable images;
(20) Perform (22) Performing any other duties that the board authorizes.
§30-23-18a. Requirements for a sonographer license.
(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) Have a national certification as a diagnostic medical sonographer, registered cardiac sonographer or registered vascular sonographer; or
(6) Meet one of the following qualifications:
(C) Have a national certification as a certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT);
(D) Have a national certification as a Registered Radiographer (ARRT (R));
(E) Have a national certification as a Registered Radiographer
(F) Have a national certification as a Radiation Therapist (ARRT(T);
(G) Have a national certification as an MRI technologist (ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT); or
(H) Be a registered nurse.
(7) 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) An individual may perform sonography only in the speciality category in which they are credentialed. To perform sonography in a specialized category, such as breast sonography, cardiac sonography, vascular sonography, the individual will need to document that they are educationally prepared and clinically competent in the specialized category.
§30-23-18b. Scope of practice for diagnostic medical sonography.
(a) The scope of practice for diagnostic medical sonography includes the following:
(1) Performing 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) Preparing the patient for procedures, including providing instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation and minimize anxiety;
(3) Obtaining or verifying patient's clinical history and informed consent in accordance with institutional policy;
(4) Using aseptic technique and observe universal standard precautions;
(5) Selecting and operating medical ultrasound equipment and related devices to achieve desired results;
(6) Positioning patients and equipment to best achieve desired results, respecting patients ability and comfort while preventing patient and sonographer injury;
(7) Using independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care;
(8) Establishing or maintaining, or both establishing and maintaining, intravenous infusion and preparing and administering 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;
(9) Documenting diagnostic and patient data and providing oral or written preliminary findings to the licensed practitioner to aid in patient diagnosis and management in accordance with institutional policy;
(10) Maintaining records and complying with confidentiality laws and policies;
(11) Participating in quality assessment and improvement activities in accordance with institutional policy;
(12) Providing basic life support as necessary;
(13) Providing patient education as necessary;
(14) Providing 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) Adhering to the principle of "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) for patient exposure to nonionizing radiation;
(16) Maintaining values congruent with the profession's Code of Ethics and scope of practice as well as adhering to national, institutional or departmental standards, or both institutional and departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding delivery of services and patient care; and
(17) Performing any other duties that the board authorizes for a sonographer.
(b) 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.
(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 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 nuclear medicine technologist or magnetic resonance imaging technologist prior to July 1, 2007.
(b) The An apprentice license for nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging 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 or meet the requirements and successfully pass the certification examination for a nuclear medicine technologist license or a magnetic resonance imaging technologist license. All individuals possessing an apprentice license must work under the supervision of a licensed practitioner for MRI, an authorized user for nuclear medicine or a technologist an individual who is licensed in that discipline.
(c) 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, 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.
(d) The board may issue an apprentice license to an individual who is practicing as a diagnostic medical sonographer prior to July 1, 2012, 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, 2012. An apprentice licensed issued under this section will be good for one year and may be renewed for one additional year.
(e) Any individual possessing a valid medical imaging license issued by the board and seeking to cross-train in the discipline of diagnostic medical sonography 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 one additional year, allowing a cross-trained individual two years to obtain certification in the discipline. After July 1, 2014, an individual will not be allowed to obtain an apprentice license to cross-train in sonography. The individuals will have to be graduates from a recognized school of sonography and pass a national examination in sonography.
(e) An application submitted electronically for a license renewal of a license or a temporary license shall be considered as signed by the applicant.
(a) The board shall upon the written complaint of any person cause an investigation to be made to determine whether grounds exist for disciplinary action under this article or the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article. The board may also cause an investigation to be made upon its own motion based on credible information.
(c) After reviewing any information obtained through an investigation, the board shall determine if probable cause exists that the licensee or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(d) Upon a finding that probable cause exists that the licensee or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article, the board may enter into a consent decree or hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of the license or permit or the imposition of sanctions against the licensee or permittee. Any hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(e) Any member of the board or the executive director of the board may issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum for witnesses and documents to aid in the investigation of allegations against any person regulated by the article.
(f) Institute proceedings in the courts of this state to enforce a subpoena for the production of witnesses or documents.
(h) After notice and opportunity for hearing the board may deny or refuse to renew, suspend, restrict or revoke the license or permit of, or impose probationary conditions upon or take disciplinary action against, any licensee or permittee for any of the following reasons once a violation has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence:
(i) For the purposes of this section, effective July 1, 2012, disciplinary action may include:
(c) If the hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed written order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law at the conclusion of the hearing. 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 a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum for the appearance of witnesses or documents.
(e) If after a hearing the board determines the licensee or permittee has violated provisions of this article or the board’s rules, a formal written decision shall be prepared which contains findings of fact, conclusions of law and a specific description of the disciplinary actions imposed.
Following a hearing any licensee or permittee adversely affected by a formal written decision of the board may obtain judicial review of the decision in accordance with section four, article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code and may appeal any ruling resulting from judicial review in accordance with article six, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
(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.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to update and rewrite the article concerning the practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy technology. The bill updates definitions and licensing requirements. The governing board is renamed the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board. Membership on the board was expanded to thirteen. The powers and duties of the board regarding the granting of temporary licenses, standards for approved schools of medical imaging and licensing examinations have been rewritten. The rule-making authority has been changed to provide for temporary licensing. Scope of practice for radiologic technologist, radiation therapist, nuclear medicine technologist and magnetic resonance imaging technologist have been revised. Licensing requirements for various disciplines have also been revised, including apprentice licenses. Sonographer licenses are now required and the scope of practice of a sonographer is detailed. The provisions regarding complaints, investigations and disciplinary actions have been rewritten as have the provisions for a hearing and the right of appeal.
§30-23-24, §30-23-25 and §30-23-26 have been completely rewritten; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.
§30-23-18a and §30-23-18b are new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.