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Advanced Practice Registered NP of Medical Imaging

MSRT Position Statement on Advanced Practice
Registered Nurse Performance of Medical Imaging

The Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists, on behalf over the over 7,500 medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in the Commonwealth, opposes the expansion of the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses to include “performance” or “administration” of medical imaging “tests” or “examinations” without evidence of:

  • Completion of specialized education in the management of ionizing radiation;
  • Radiologic technologist or radiologist-supervised clinical training in medical imaging procedures; and
  • Quantifiable competency assessment through examination.

Only registered and licensed radiologic technologists should perform procedures that use ionizing radiation and only experienced radiologists should interpret medical images. Registered radiologic technologists have the education, experience and skills required to perform highly technical procedures like conventional radiography and fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, vascular-interventional radiography or bone densitometry safely and effectively for Massachusetts patients.

Please contact your Massachusetts legislators today regarding House Bill 1889, House Bill 1996, Senate Bill 1163 and Senate Bill 1207.

 https://malegislature.gov/Bills

Advanced Practice Nurses Encroach on Radiology Email Blast

Please visit the MSRT Advocacy Page for updates on other important issues effecting imaging professionals

RT Licensure Action Needed

On Wednesday January 13, 2016 The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (RCP) presented a proposal to the Department of Public Health Council to make revisions to 105 CMR 125, the regulations for the licensing of radiologic technologists. These regulations that created the Massachusetts radiologic technologist licensure program were first implemented in 1989 and last revised in 1994. The RCP’s current proposed revisions are the result of consultation and collaboration with the MSRT and other Massachusetts radiology professionals; addressing new technology in the field of medical imaging and reflecting current practice standards that are not included in the current regulations.

Significant proposed amendments include:

  • New advanced practice licensing categories for
    • Computed tomography (CT)
    • Positron emission tomography (PET)
    • Nuclear medicine advanced associate (NMAA)
    • Radiologist assistant (RA), including radiology practitioner assistant (RPA).
  • Updates to continuing education requirements to include new license categories and practice standards.
  • Alignment of the of the licensing term and CE biennium to begin on the first day of the birth month (consistent with the ARRT).
  • Updates to Radiation Control Program administrative procedures related to the issuance and revocation of licenses.

The full text of the revisions can be found online at http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/laws-regs/dph/proposed-regulations/radiologic-technologist-licensing.html.

The MSRT believes that the proposed revisions reflect the high standards of our profession and will strengthen Massachusetts radiologic technologist licensure regulations.  MSRT will work with the department to provide some minor technical amendments to the proposed regulations during the public comment period. The Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists (MSRT) supports the proposed revisions and we ask that you offer your support for the proposed regulations incorporating the MSRT’s technical amendments by reviewing the regulations and submitting a written statement of support to: Reg.Testimony@state.ma.us.  A sample letter of support is provided below.  Please submit your electronic testimony as an attached Word document or as text within the body of an email and type “Radiologic Technologist regulations” in the subject line.  All submissions must include the sender’s full name and address.  Parties who are unable to submit electronic testimony should mail submissions to: Catrice Williams, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA  02108.   All letters of support must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2016.

MSRT Testimony submitted to DPH

Sample letter for an individual to submit in response to DPH posting

A public hearing will be held on Thursday February 25, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Public Health Council Room, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA.  MSRT representatives will be in attendance at the hearing and we invite you to join us.  Speakers are requested to provide a copy of their oral testimony.

Sincerely,
MSRT Board of Directors

advocacy

What Is Advocacy?

The MSRT represents and serves as the official voice of radiologic technologists, to all public and professional groups within the Commonwealth, on matters concerning the profession in general and in particular, the practice of radiologic technology.

Advanced Practice Nurses Encroach on Radiology

Other Pending Legislation   2017

The MSRT supports the following bills:

Updated RT Licensing Regulations 2017

The Massachusetts Public Health Council voted on February 8, 2017 to enact the much anticipated and long awaited revisions to 105 CMR 125.000 Radiologic Technologist Licensing Regulations.    Email Blast to Members 

Mammography Regulations (revisions pending)

Governance Committee Reports

2017 Current Relevant Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

Find your Massachusetts Legislators

ASRT Legislative News

MA Radiation Control Program

 

The Color Run Night

MSRT BannerAttention all walkers and runners!  The MSRT invites you to join them in a 5K race that has to be seen to be believed.  The Color Run Night is coming to Boston and we want you to participate!  Step into the night life and join us for a nocturnal 5K adventure that will be hard to forget! Participants will experience glowtastic color zones, illuminating bubble stations and surprise course attractions that will magically lead you to our epic finish line and wild festival party! TCR Night is bringing this glow party to the next level! A night of dancing, laughing, and being with old and new friends awaits!

Where: Gillette Stadium
When: Oct 2, 2015. Race Starts at 7:00PM

Our Team:  “MSRT X-Raycers” will meet outside Toby Keith’s after picking up their race packets.  Just look for the MSRT Banner above.

What to Wear:
Only two easy rules to follow! Wear white at the starting line.  Finish plastered in color!

What is included in your Registration:

  • 2015 limited edition glowing tee
  • Black Light Headlamp
  • One of a kind glow color packet

For more information go to:   http://thecolorrun.com/night/boston

TCRN Race Guide 2015

MSRT 1/2 Day Seminars

Upcoming Seminars

For the second year in a row, the MSRT has been able to secure participation in the ASRT Affiliate Financial Program. As a result of this program during the 2016-2017 membership year the MSRT will offer the two FREE ½ day seminars listed below to MSRT members who pre-register to attend these events.

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In addition, we will offer the following Mammography Seminar at a reduced rate for members.

lmh

Important News

Advocacy

online ace approval fee


Option
Email Address
Full Name



Membership Benefit Update

During the 2015 -2016 membership year two ½ day educational seminars will be offered at no additional cost to members who pre-register to attend. That’s right, your annual membership fee now includes up to 8 continuing education credits!

This member benefit has been made possible to members through the MSRT’s participation in the ASRT Affiliate Development Program and The Affiliate Financial Assistance Program. The MSRT board has been working closely with the ASRT for several years. This is just one of the many ways we are now able to provide increased service and value to our members.

iPhone

MSRT-MA on your iPhone or other Mobile Device

MSRT-MA is now optimized for your mobile phone.  You can quickly access your CE’s and all of the other information in our website by creating a shortcut on your phone.

If you are using an iPhone just open up http://member.msrt-ma.org/ with your Safari browser and follow these two steps:

MSRTAddtoiPhone

Vote

Important Voting Opportunities & Legislation:

The MSRT represents and serves as the official voice of radiologic technologists, to all public and professional groups within the Commonwealth, on matters concerning the profession in general and in particular, the practice of radiologic technology.

MSRT Response – Podiatric Assistant Radiographic Practices

Notice of Meeting
Podiatry Board Testimony Jun 5 2015

Important Links

UPDATE:  The MSRT was well represented at the public hearing on June 9, 2015 and the MSRT testimony was submitted. We will continue to monitor this issue and pass on information as it becomes available. Be sure to monitor the MSRT Advocacy webpage for updates on this and other important topics. The next meeting of the Board of Registration in Podiatry is September 8, 2015.

Current Pending MA Legislation

MA Pending Legislation June 2015

A Review of Massachusetts State Boards &
Commissions

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S2317

An Act to Promote Team Based Health Care

http://www.massmed.org/Advocacy/State-Advocacy/An-Act-To-Promote-Team-Based-Health-Care/#.VOiS0_nF-So

Breast Density Notification

MA Breast Density Notification Law

MA Legislature – Find your legislator

https://malegislature.gov/People

ASRT Legislative News

http://www.asrt.org/main/standards-regulations/regulatory-legislative-news

MA Radiation Control Program

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/exposure-topics/radiation/

105 CMR 125.000: Licensing of Radiologic Technologists http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/regs/105cmr125.pdf

400: X-rays in the Healing Arts

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/regs/105cmr125.pdf

Patient Safety Campaign

Contact your Massachusetts Legislators today.

In the coming weeks the Massachusetts Legislature will be considering bills aimed at reducing health care costs.  The MSRT needs you to contact lawmakers today to make sure that diagnostic imaging is performed by qualified R.T.s and that procedures are supervised by licensed practitioners.

Keep patient care first and foremost in lawmakers’ minds by promoting cost savings initiatives that do not jeopardize patient health and safety. 

Patient Safety Campaign Letter

Pending Legislation

MSRT Advocacy Page