Part 5 Operator Qualifications

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC

OPPORTUNITY

RADIATION SAFETY SECTION

IONIZING RADIATION RULES GOVERNING THE USE

OF RADIATION MACHINES

DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 5. OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS

PAGE

R 333.5201 Purpose and scope. ....................................................................................................... 1

R 333.5202 Definitions;A. ................................................................................................................... 1

R 333.5203 Definitions;B. ................................................................................................................... 1

R 333.5204 Definitions; C to G. ......................................................................................................... 1

R 333.5205 Definitions; L. ................................................................................................................... 1

R 333.5206 Definitions; M. .................................................................................................................. 2

R 333.5207 Definitions; P. .................................................................................................................. 2

R 333.5208 Definitons; R. ................................................................................................................... 2

R 333.5209 Exemptions. ..................................................................................................................... 2

R 333.5210 Categories and types of qualification ........................................................................... 3

R 333.5211 Credentialing requirements. .......................................................................................... 4

R 333.5212 Limited diagnostic radiography requirements. ........................................................... 4

R 333.5213 Continuing education requirements. ............................................................................ 4

PART 5. OPERATORS QUALIFICATIONS

R 333.5201 Purpose and scope.

Rule 201. (1) This part establishes the

qualification requirements of individuals

engaged in medical radiologic technology.

Improper performance of medical radiologic

technology results in unnecessary exposure to

machine produced ionizing radiation and the

unnecessary re-administration of machine

produced ionizing radiation. Therefore, the

qualification of these individuals to apply

machine produced ionizing radiation to humans

has a direct impact on the machine produced

ionizing radiation burden of the patient.

(2) Unless specifically exempt in accordance

with R 333.5209, a registrant shall not employ

an individual to perform medical radiologic

technology who does not meet the requirements

of this part or without the expressed written

approval of the department.

R 333.5202 Definitions; A.

Rule 202. (1) “ACRRT” means American

Chiropractic Registry of Radiologic

Technologists.

(2) "Approved program" means a formal

education program in the respective discipline of

radiography or radiation therapy that is

accredited by 1 or more of the following:

(a) Joint Review Committee on Education

in Radiologic Technology.

(b) Regional institutional accrediting

agencies.

Medical Association.

(3) “ARRT” means American Registry of

Radiologic Technologists.

R 333.5203 Definitions; B.

Rule 203. "Bone densitometry" means the

science and art of applying machine produced

ionizing radiation to human beings for the

determination of site-specific bone density.

R 333.5204 Definitions; C to G.

Rule 204. (1) “CAMRT” means Canadian

Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.

(2) “CBRPA” means Certification Board for

Radiology Practitioner Assistants.

(3) “CCI” means Cardiovascular

Credentialing International.

(4) "Chiropractic radiography" means the

science and art of applying machine produced

ionizing radiation to human beings for diagnostic

evaluation of skeletal anatomy.

(5) "Continuing education activity" means a

learning activity that is planned, organized, and

administered to enhance the professional

knowledge and skills underlying professional

performance that a medical radiologic

technologist uses to provide services for

patients, the public, or the medical profession.

To qualify as continuing education, the activity

must be planned and organized to provide

sufficient depth and scope of a subject area.

(6) "CE credit" or continuing education credit

means a unit of measurement for continuing

education activities. One CE credit is awarded

for 1 contact hour, which is 50 minutes. Activities

longer than 1 hour are assigned whole or partial

credits based on the 50-minute hour.

(7) “Direct supervision” means the required

individual must be present in at least an

adjacent area and immediately available to

furnish assistance and direction throughout the

procedure, and is responsible for the control of

quality, radiation safety protection, and technical

aspects of the application of radiation to human

beings for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research

purposes.

(8) “General supervision” means the

procedure is furnished under the overall

direction and control of a licensed practitioner

whose presence is not required during the

performance of the procedure., and is

responsible for the control of quality, radiation

safety protection, and technical aspects of the

application of radiation to human beings for

diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes.

R 333.5205 Definitions; L.

Rule 205. (1) "Licensed practitioner" means a

health practitioner licensed under article 15 of

the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL

333.16101 to 333.18838.

(2) “Limited diagnostic radiographer” means

an individual, other than a licensed practitioner,

who, while under the general supervision of a

licensed practitioner, performs limited diagnostic

radiography.

(3) “Limited diagnostic radiography” means

the science and art of applying machine

produced ionizing radiation to human beings for

limited diagnostic purposes.

R 333.5206 Definitions; M.

Rule 206. (1) "Medical radiologic technologist"

means an individual, other than a licensed

practitioner, who, while under the general

supervision of a licensed practitioner performs

medical x-radiation procedures involving the

application of machine produced ionizing

radiation to human beings for diagnostic,

therapeutic, and research purposes.

(2) "Medical radiologic technology" means the

science and art of performing medical x-

radiation procedures involving the application of

machine produced ionizing radiation to human

beings for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research

purposes. The specialized disciplines of medical

radiologic technology are medical radiography,

radiation therapy technology, chiropractic

radiography, limited diagnostic radiography, and

radiologist assistant.

(3) "Medical radiographer" means an

individual, other than a licensed practitioner,

who, while under the general supervision of a

licensed practitioner, applies machine produced

ionizing radiation to a part of the human body.

(4) "Medical radiography" means the science

and art of applying machine produced ionizing

radiation to human beings for diagnostic, and

research purposes.

R 333.5207 Definitions; P.

Rule 207. (1) “Personal supervision” means

the required individual is in attendance in the

room during the performance of a procedure,

and is responsible for the control of quality,

radiation safety and protection, and technical

aspects of the application of radiation to human

beings for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research

purposes.

(2) "Physician's assistant" means an

individual who is licensed as a physician's

assistant under part 170 or part 175 of the public

health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17001 to

333.17097 and 333.17501 to 333.17556.

(3) "Podiatric" means a radiographic

examination of the toes, foot, ankle, calcaneus,

and distal tibia/fibula but does not include the

knee joint.

R 333.5208 Definitions; R.

Rule 208. (1) "Radiation therapy technology"

means the science and art of applying radiation

emitted from x-ray machines or particle

accelerators to human beings for therapeutic

purposes.

(2) "Radiologist assistant" means an

individual, other than a licensed practitioner,

who as a medical radiographer with advanced-

level training and certification, performs a variety

of activities under the direct, general, or

personal supervision of a radiologist, certified by

the American Board of Radiology (ABR), the

American Osteopathic Board of Radiology

(AOBR), or Royal College of Physicians and

Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), in the areas of

patient care, patient management, clinical

imaging, and interventional procedures. The

radiologist assistant shall not interpret images,

make diagnoses, or prescribe medications or

therapies.

(3) "Radiology" means the branch of medicine

that deals with the study and application of

imaging technology to diagnose and treat

disease.

(4) "RCEEM" or “recognized continuing

education evaluation mechanism” means a

mechanism used by the ARRT for evaluating the

content, quality, and integrity of an educational

activity. The evaluation shall include a review of

education objectives, content selection, faculty

qualifications, and educational methods and

materials.

R 333.5209 Exemptions.

Rule 209. (1) Nothing in this part shall be

construed to limit or affect in any respect, the

medical practice of individuals properly licensed

under article 15 of the public health code, 1978

PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838 with

respect to their professions and scope of

practice.

(2) The following individuals are exempt from

the requirements of this part:

(a) A student enrolled in an approved

program applicable to his or her profession who,

as a part of his or her course of study, applies

machine produced ionizing radiation to human

beings while under the direct supervision of a

licensed practitioner or medical radiologic

technologist who meets the requirements of this

part.

(b) An individual employed as a dental

assistant or dental hygienist who performs

radiography under the general supervision of a

licensed practitioner.

who, under the general supervision of a licensed

practitioner, performs bone densitometry.

(d) A medical radiologic technologist

performing mammography who meets the

qualification requirements of R 333.5630.

(e) A computed tomography (CT) operator

who meets the qualification requirements of R

333.5705.

(f) A nuclear medicine technologist who,

under the supervision of an authorized user,

utilizes sealed and unsealed radioactive

materials for diagnostic, treatment, and research

purposes.

R 333.5210 Categories and types of

qualification.

Rule 210. (1) The department recognizes all

of the following categories in the practice of

medical radiologic technology:

(a) Medical radiography.

(b) Radiation therapy technology.

(d) Chiropractic radiography.

(e) Limited diagnostic radiography.

(2) The department recognizes the following

types of qualifications:

(a) Active status for individuals who have

passed an examination as indicated in R

333.5211 and who maintain current registration

status with the registry providing the

examination.

(b) Temporary status for individuals who

have completed an approved program in

medical radiography, radiation therapy

technology, radiologist assistant, chiropractic

radiography, or cardiac catheterization and

interventional radiography and are eligible for

the examination required to obtain the credential

or credentials specified in R 333.5211.

Temporary status conveys the same rights as

active status. Temporary status must not exceed

3 years after completion of the approved

program.

individuals who have completed the training

required in R 333.5212. Limited diagnostic

radiography procedures that require specific

limited qualifications are as follows:

(i) Limited diagnostic radiography – chest:

(A) Posterior anterior upright.

(B) Anterior posterior supine.

(D) Lateral decubitus.

(E) Anterior posterior lordotic.

(F) Obliques.

(ii) Limited diagnostic radiography –

extremities:

(A) Finger or fingers.

(B) Forearm.

(D) Toes.

(E) Tibia and fibula.

(F) Femur.

(G) Hand.

(H) Elbow.

(I) Clavicle.

(J) Foot.

(K) Knee.

(L) Wrist.

(M) Humerus.

(N) Scapula.

(O) Ankle.

(P) Patella.

(iii) Limited diagnostic radiography –

spine:

(A) Cervical spine.

(B) Sacroiliac joints.

(D) Sacrum.

(E) Lumbar spine.

(F) Coccyx.

(iv) Limited diagnostic radiography - skull

and sinuses:

(A) Skull.

(B) Paranasal sinuses.

(v) Limited diagnostic radiography –

podiatric:

(A) Foot.

(B) Ankle.

(d) Conditional status for individuals can

occur during the 3 years immediately following

the effective date of this part. A medical

radiologic technologist that does not meet the

requirements of subdivision (a), (b), or (c) of this

subrule shall be considered qualified contingent

upon a written statement of assurance that the

individual is competent to apply machine

produced ionizing radiation to human beings.

This statement of assurance must be maintained

for inspection by the department and must

specify the nature of the equipment and

procedures the individual is competent to utilize.

The statement of assurance must be provided

by a licensed practitioner under whose general

supervision the individual is employed or has

been employed. Three years after the effective

date of this part, a medical radiologic

technologist shall meet the requirements of

subdivision (a), (b), or (c) of this subrule.

R 333.5211 Credentialing requirements.

Rule 211. Individuals who seek to qualify for

active status in medical radiologic technology

shall possess the appropriate credential or

credentials as specified below or equivalent:

(a) Medical radiography:

(i) ARRT – radiography (R).

(ii) CAMRT – registered technologist,

radiation technology (RTR).

(b) Radiation therapy technology:

(i) ARRT – registered radiation therapists

(RTT).

(ii) CAMRT – registered radiation

therapists (RTT).

(i) ARRT – registered radiologist assistant

(RRA).

(ii) CBRPA – radiology practitioner

assistant (RPA).

(d) Chiropractic radiography provided

through ACRRT.

(e) Cardiac catheterization and

interventional radiography:

(i) ARRT – cardiovascular interventional

radiography (CV).

(ii) ARRT – cardiac interventional

radiography (CI).

(iii) ARRT – vascular interventional

radiography (VI).

(iv) CCI – registered cardiovascular

invasive specialist (RCIS).

R 333.5212 Limited Diagnostic

radiography requirements.

Rule 212. (1) Individuals who perform limited

diagnostic radiography shall pass an approved

program or obtain a minimum of 40 hours of

training relevant to the radiologic science within

the limited scope of practice. This training must

include both clinical and didactic components.

(2) The following general categories must be

included in limited diagnostic radiography

training or program:

(a) Fundamentals of healthcare.

(b) Medical terminology.

(d) Human anatomy and physiology.

(e) Imaging production and evaluation.

(f) Imaging equipment and radiation

production.

(g) Radiation protection and radiobiology.

(3) In addition to the categories in subrule (2)

of this rule, the curriculum must include the

following:

(a) Limited chest radiography programs

must include instruction on chest radiography

procedures.

(b) Limited extremity programs must

include instruction on extremity radiographic

procedures.

instruction on spine radiographic procedures.

(d) Limited skull and sinus programs must

include instruction on skull and sinus

radiographic procedures.

(e) Limited podiatry programs must include

instruction on foot, ankle, and leg below the

knee radiographic procedures.

(4) Limited diagnostic radiography programs

must be competency-based educational

programs.

(5) All limited diagnostic radiographers are

required to maintain proof of completion of

approved program or training.

R 333.5213 Continuing education

requirements.

Rule 213. (1) The required number of CE

credits for limited diagnostic radiography is 12

CE credits.

(2) CE credits required by subrule (1) of this

rule must be completed within 24 months after

the effective date of these rules and every 24

months after their initial completion.

(3) The options for meeting CE requirements

are any of the following:

(a) Activities approved by an RCEEM.

Among the requirements for qualification as an

RCEEM, an organization shall be national in

scope, non-profit, radiology based, and willing to

evaluate CE activity developed by a medical

radiologic technologist within a given discipline.

Organizations with current RCEEM status

include:

(i) American College of Radiology.

(ii) American Healthcare Radiology

Administrators.

(iii) American Institute of Ultrasound in

Medicine.

(iv) American Roentgen Ray Society.

(v) American Society of Nuclear

Cardiology.

(vi) American Society of Radiologic

Technologists.

(vii) Association of Vascular and

Interventional Radiographers.

(viii) Canadian Association of Medical

Radiation Technologists.

(ix) Medical Dosimetrist Certification

Board.

(x) Radiological Society of North America.

(xi) Society of Diagnostic Medical

Sonography.

(xii) Section for Magnetic Resonance

Technologist of the International Society for

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

(xiii) Society of Nuclear Medicine

Technologist Section.

(xiv) Society of Vascular Ultrasound.

(b) Approved academic courses offered by

a post-secondary educational institution that are

relevant to the radiologic sciences or patient

care, or both. Courses in the biologic sciences,

physical sciences, verbal and written

communication, mathematics, computers,

management, or education methodology are

considered relevant. Credit is awarded at the

rate of 12 CE credits for each academic quarter

or 16 CE credits for each academic semester

credit.

resuscitation (CPR) certification, including

advanced life support, instructor, or instructor

trainer, through the American Red Cross, the

American Heart Association, or the American

Safety and Health Institute is awarded 6 CE

credits.

(4) All limited diagnostic radiographers are

required to maintain proof of participation in

continuing education activities. Proof may be in

the form of a certificate or an itemized list from

an ARRT-approved record-keeping mechanism.