Radiologist Assistant Licensure Bill Passes Muster With Utah House of Representatives

Julie Ritzer Ross | | Radiology Business | Business Intelligence
imageUtah’s House of Representatives late last week passed a bill that would allow a radiologist assistant to perform radiological procedures under the supervision of a radiologist. Introduced by Rep. Don L. Ipson (R-UT) and now awaiting action in the Senate, the bill—known as--HB 238--establishes licensure and continuing education requirements for a radiologist assistant, defines the scope of practice for a radiologist assistant, and amends the current membership of the state’s Radiologic Technologist Licensing Board to include one licensed radiologist assistant. Under its provisos, individuals certified by the Certification Board of Radiology Practitioner Assistants would be licensed as radiologist assistants. If the bill passes, Utah will become the 30th state to add advanced practice medical imaging professionals among its licensed or recognized professions. HB 238 is supported by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), Utah Society of Radiology Physician Extenders (USRPE), and the Society of Radiology Physician Extenders (SRPE). “The Utah Society of Radiology Physician Extenders has been quite pleased with the support from the medical community on HB 238,” said USRPE representative Brian Adams, B.S., R.R.A., R.T.(R), R.P.A., RDMS. “We believe this bill will help to maintain Utah patients’ access to needed imaging services performed by licensed RAs” as well as “the highest level of patient care” to which they are accustomed. “Utah has shown that it understands the importance of incorporating radiologist assistants into its roster of health care professionals in order to provide quality patient care,” added ASRT President James Temme, M.P.A., R.T.(R)(QM), FASRT. “The ASRT strongly backs this legislation and is excited that the Utah House of Representatives supported the bill in such a timely manner.”

Julie Ritzer Ross,

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