North Dakota Radiologic Technologists Seek Efficiencies in Providing Medical Imaging to Patients

Members of the North Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists met with lawmakers in Bismarck on Feb. 6 to ask them to support Senate bill 2236, a measure that sets licensing standards and expands the responsibilities of the state’s radiographers, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants, nuclear medicine technologists and sonographers. Sponsored by Sen. Judy Lee, SB 2236 provided a pathway for radiologic technologist to assume additional duties in the clinic including taking verbal orders from physicians and entering them into patients’ electronic health records. Currently, North Dakota has equipment operating regulations for radiographers, radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists, but the regulations are not recognized as formal licensure by the state attorney general. “As medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals, patient safety is our number one goal,” said Amy Hofmann, legislative chair of the NDSRT. “Unfortunately, medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in our state are limited in their ability to provide a full scope of patient services, which can slow down operations and delay patient treatment. As a result, it’s important to provide these highly-trained health care professionals with the ability to be active partners on the health care team.” If SB 2236 is enacted, the state will create the State Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Medical Examiners. The nine-person board will oversee the licensing requirements for the personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. In addition, the board will be responsible for administering disciplinary measures and penalties.