Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 376c - Radiographers, Radiologic Technologists, Radiologist Assistants and Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Section 20-74mm. - Radiologist assistants. Definitions. Permitted and prohibited activities. Supervisory requirements.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Direct supervision” means a radiologist must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure;
(2) “Personal supervision” means a radiologist must be in attendance in the room during the performance of the procedure;
(3) “Radiologist assistant” means a radiologic technologist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter and who: (A) Has graduated from a radiologist assistant education program recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; (B) has passed the radiologist assistant examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; (C) maintains a current license in good standing as a radiologic technologist in Connecticut; (D) holds current certification in advanced cardiac life support; (E) maintains current certification with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as a radiographer; (F) maintains current certification with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as a radiologist assistant; and (G) maintains professional liability insurance or other indemnity against liability for professional malpractice in an amount that shall not be less than five hundred thousand dollars for one person, per occurrence, with an aggregate of not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars;
(4) “Supervising radiologist” means a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 370 and who is board certified in radiology, who assumes responsibility for the supervision of services rendered by a radiologist assistant; and
(5) “Supervision” means the exercise by the supervising radiologist of oversight, control and direction of the services of a radiologist assistant. Supervision includes, but is not limited to: (A) Continuous availability of direct communication between the supervising radiologist and the radiologist assistant; (B) active and continuing overview of the radiologist assistant's activities to ensure that the supervising radiologist's directions are being implemented and to support the radiologist assistant in the performance of his or her services; (C) personal review by the supervising radiologist of the radiologist assistant's practice at least weekly or more frequently as necessary to ensure quality patient care; (D) review of the charts and records of the radiologist assistant on a regular basis, as necessary, to ensure quality patient care; and (E) delineation of a predetermined plan for emergency situations.
(b) Nothing in chapter 370 shall be construed to prohibit a radiologist assistant from performing radiologic procedures under the direct supervision and direction of a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 370 and who is board certified in radiology. A radiologist assistant may perform radiologic procedures delegated by a supervising radiologist provided: (1) The supervising radiologist is satisfied as to the ability and competency of the radiologist assistant; (2) such delegation is consistent with the health and welfare of the patient and in keeping with sound medical practice; (3) the supervising radiologist shall assume full control and responsibility for all procedures performed by the radiologist assistant; and (4) such procedures shall be performed under the oversight, control and direction of the supervising radiologist. Delegated procedures shall be implemented in accordance with written protocols established by the supervising radiologist. In addition to those procedures that the supervising radiologist deems appropriate to be performed under personal supervision, the following procedures shall be performed under personal supervision: (A) Lumbar puncture under fluoroscopic guidance, (B) lumbar myelogram, (C) thoracic or cervical myelogram, (D) nontunneled venous central line placement, (E) venous catheter placement for dialysis, (F) breast needle localization, and (G) ductogram.
(c) A radiologist assistant shall not: (1) Interpret images, (2) make diagnoses, (3) prescribe medications or therapies, or (4) administer anesthesia.
(d) Each radiologist assistant practicing in this state shall have a clearly identified supervising radiologist who maintains the final responsibility for the care of patients and the performance of the radiologist assistant. A licensed radiologist may function as a supervising radiologist for no more than two full-time radiologist assistants concurrently, or the part-time equivalent thereof. Any services provided by the radiologist assistant must be performed at either the physical location of the supervising radiologist's primary medical practice or within any health care facility where the supervising radiologist holds staff privileges.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the activities and services of a person who is enrolled in a radiologist assistant education program recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provided such activities and services are incidental to the course of study.
(P.A. 09-232, S. 68; P.A. 10-18, S. 20; 10-117, S. 26.)
History: P.A. 10-18 amended Subsec. (b) by redesignating existing Subpara. (D) as Subparas. (D) to (F) and by redesignating existing Subpara. (E) as Subpara. (G); P.A. 10-117 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting “including contrast media administration and needle or catheter placement,” and by changing “must” to “shall” re procedures performed under personal supervision, effective June 8, 2010.

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