HB 902 – Enhance Patient Safety in Radiologic Imaging
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Verla Insko (D – Orange), Rep. Donny Lambeth (R – Forsyth), Rep. Josh Dobson (R – Avery)
This bill would provide for the regulation and licensing of persons who perform and administer radiologic imaging and radiation therapy procedures.
The Board would establish licensure standards for the following radiologic imaging and radiation therapy modalities:
- Limited x-ray machine operator,
- Nuclear medicine technologist,
- Radiation therapist,
- Radiographer,
- Radiologist assistant.
This bill would create the North Carolina Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners. The board would consist of seven members that would all be appointed by the Governor. The members would include the following:
- 1 licensed nuclear medicine technologist;
- 1 licensed practitioner who is a radiologist and supervises radiologic imaging or radiation therapy professionals;
- 1 licensed practitioner who is not a radiologist and supervises radiologic imaging oe radiation therapy professionals;
- 1 licensed radiation therapist;
- 1 licensed radiographer;
- 1 radiologist assistant;
- 1 public member.
The bill also lists powers and duties of the Board.
This bill has been referred to the House Health Committee. If it is found favorable there it will move to the House Finance Committee, and then to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.
I am opposed to HB 902. I am a BSN, and BSRT. I have practiced in both radiology and nursing. The Board of Nursing has grown into a organization that fails to protect the public. I have seen this many times where abysmal and illegal practices were not prosecuted. Further, it has become a cumbersome and oppressive organization. Most nurses want no association with the Board. Radiology has done quite well without a regulatory board. The ARRT administers the boards to ensure minimal competence, and employers do a adequate job monitoring their employees. A remote, ivory tower organization is not needed, nor are it ensuing and ever increasing fees and regulations. Further, having to renew a license is but a work tax imposed on practitioners who are already burdened with inflation. I vote no on this or any bill creating another regulatory body with power to destroy careers, place a work tax, or encumber an already burdened profession.