North Carolina’s House of Representatives and Senate are considering a bill that would establish licensure standards for individuals who perform radiologic imaging and radiation therapy procedures. A similar regulation effort is currently underway in Michigan.
The state’s laws currently allow staff without courses in radiation safety, patient positioning, or radiologic science physics to operate equipment involving computed tomography, nuclear medicine, x-ray, and radiation therapy and machines that use ionizing radiation. House Bill 742 (introduced by Reps. Tom Murry and Verla Insko) and Senate Bill 390 (introduced by Sens. Stan Bingham and Wesley Meredith) would require imaging personnel to complete a series of educational requirements before receiving a license. In addition, personnel would have to present their credentials to the state’s Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners to qualify for the license.
“Setting basic education and certification standards for the personnel who perform radiologic procedures is a common-sense measure that benefits patients in North Carolina,” said Brenda Greenberg, legislative chairman of the North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists (NCSRT). “Patients expect to be treated by health care professionals who understand radiation safety protection measures and are educated in the core fundamentals of radiologic technology; however, in our state, individuals can perform procedures without any training or education.”
NCSRT representatives have met with legislators to request cosponsorship of the legislation and to educate lawmakers on the safety issues at hand. “We believe that we have to continuously interact with lawmakers to ensure that they understand that setting enforceable professional standards for radiologic imaging and radiation therapy personnel is a step in the right direction to enhance patient care for all North Carolinians.”
For more information, visit NCSRT.
