HB 819

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to radiologist assistants; amending s.
3	468.301, F.S.; providing definitions; amending s. 468.302,
4	F.S.; providing for identification of certified
5	radiologist assistants; providing for the duties and
6	limitations on duties of radiologist assistants; amending
7	s. 468.304, F.S.; providing conditions for qualification
8	for a radiologist assistant's certificate; amending s.
9	468.3065, F.S.; authorizing the Department of Health to
10	issue certificates by endorsement to certain radiologist
11	assistants; providing for a fee; amending s. 468.314,
12	F.S.; revising membership on the Advisory Council on
13	Radiation Protection; providing an effective date.
14
15	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17	Section 1.  Subsection (15) of section 468.301, Florida
18	Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (17), and new subsections
19	(15) and (16) are added to that section, to read:
20	468.301  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:
21	(15)  "Radiologist" means a physician specializing in
22	radiology certified by or eligible for certification by the
23	American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of
24	Radiology, the British Royal College of Radiology, or the
25	Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons.
26	(16)  "Radiologist assistant" means a person, other than a
27	licensed practitioner, who is qualified by education and
28	certification, as set forth in s. 468.304, as an advanced-level
29	radiologic technologist who works under the supervision of a
30	radiologist to enhance patient care by assisting the radiologist
31	in the medical imaging environment.
32	Section 2.  Paragraph (g) is added to subsection (2) of
33	section 468.302, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (h) is added to
34	subsection (3) of that section, to read:
35	468.302  Use of radiation; identification of certified
36	persons; limitations; exceptions.--
37	(2)
38	(g)  A person holding a certificate as a radiologist
39	assistant may use the title "Certified Radiologist Assistant" or
40	the letters "CRA" after his or her name.
41
42	No other person is entitled to so use a title or letters
43	contained in this subsection or to hold himself or herself out
44	in any way, whether orally or in writing, expressly or by
45	implication, as being so certified.
46	(3)
47	(h)  A person holding a certificate as a radiologist
48	assistant may:
49	1.  Perform specific duties allowed for a radiologist
50	assistant as defined by the department by rule. The rule must be
51	consistent with guidelines adopted by the American College of
52	Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and
53	the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, with the
54	level of supervision required by such guidelines.
55	2.  Not interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe
56	medications or therapies.
57
58	For the purposes of this paragraph as it relates to the
59	radiologist assistant, "supervision" means the radiologist must
60	be present in the office suite and immediately available to
61	furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of
62	the procedure. It does not mean that the radiologist must be
63	present in the room when the procedure is performed.
64	Section 3.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section
65	468.304, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
66	468.304  Certification.--The department shall certify any
67	applicant who meets the following criteria:
68	(3)  Submits satisfactory evidence, verified by oath or
69	affirmation, that she or he:
70	(e)1.  Has successfully completed an educational program,
71	which program may be established in a hospital licensed pursuant
72	to chapter 395 or in an accredited postsecondary academic
73	institution which is subject to approval by the department as
74	maintaining a satisfactory standard; or
75	2.a.  With respect to an applicant for a basic X-ray
76	machine operator's certificate, has completed a course of study
77	approved by the department with appropriate study material
78	provided the applicant by the department;
79	b.  With respect to an applicant for a basic X-ray machine
80	operator-podiatric medicine certificate, has completed a course
81	of study approved by the department, provided that such course
82	of study shall be limited to that information necessary to
83	perform radiographic procedures within the scope of practice of
84	a podiatric physician licensed pursuant to chapter 461;
85	c.  With respect only to an applicant for a general
86	radiographer's certificate who is a basic X-ray machine operator
87	certificateholder, has completed an educational program or a 2-
88	year training program that takes into account the types of
89	procedures and level of supervision usually and customarily
90	practiced in a hospital, which educational or training program
91	complies with the rules of the department; or
92	d.  With respect only to an applicant for a nuclear
93	medicine technologist's certificate who is a general
94	radiographer certificateholder, has completed an educational
95	program or a 2-year training program that takes into account the
96	types of procedures and level of supervision usually and
97	customarily practiced in a hospital, which educational or
98	training program complies with the rules of the department; or.
99	e.  With respect to an applicant for a radiologist
100	assistant's certificate who is a general radiographer
101	certificateholder, has completed an advanced educational program
102	encompassing a nationally recognized radiologist assistant
103	curriculum culminating in a baccalaureate degree,
104	postbaccalaureate certificate, or graduate degree and that
105	incorporates a radiologist-directed clinical preceptorship.
106
107	The department may not certify any applicant who has committed
108	an offense that would constitute a violation of any of the
109	provisions of s. 468.3101 or the rules adopted thereunder if the
110	applicant had been certified by the department at the time of
111	the offense. No application for a limited computed tomography
112	certificate shall be accepted. All persons holding valid
113	computed tomography certificates as of October 1, 1984, are
114	subject to the provisions of s. 468.309.
115	Section 4.  Section 468.3065, Florida Statutes, is amended
116	to read:
117	468.3065  Certification by endorsement.--
118	(1)  The department may issue a certificate by endorsement
119	to practice as a radiologist assistant to an applicant who, upon
120	applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not
121	to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she
122	holds a current certificate or registration as a radiologist
123	assistant granted by the American Registry of Radiologic
124	Technologists.
125	(2)  The department may issue a certificate by endorsement
126	to practice radiologic technology to an applicant who, upon
127	applying to the department and remitting a nonrefundable fee not
128	to exceed $50, demonstrates to the department that he or she
129	holds a current certificate, license, or registration to
130	practice radiologic technology, provided that the requirements
131	for such certificate, license, or registration are deemed by the
132	department to be substantially equivalent to those established
133	under this part and rules adopted under this part.
134	Section 5.  Subsection (1) of section 468.314, Florida
135	Statutes, is amended, paragraphs (h) through (n) of subsection
136	(2) of that section are redesignated as paragraphs (i) through
137	(o), respectively, and a new paragraph (h) is added to that
138	subsection, to read:
139	468.314  Advisory Council on Radiation Protection;
140	appointment; terms; powers; duties.--
141	(1)  The Advisory Council on Radiation Protection is
142	created within the Department of Health and shall consist of 16
143	15 persons to be appointed by the secretary for 3-year terms.
144	(2)  The council shall be comprised of:
145	(h)  A certified radiologist assistant.
146	Section 6.  This act shall take effect July 31, 2006.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.