The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Department" means the department of health.

     (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.

     (3) "Licensed practitioner" means any licensed health care practitioner performing services within the person's authorized scope of practice.

     (4) "Radiologic technologist" means an individual certified under this chapter, other than a licensed practitioner, who practices radiologic technology as a:

     (a) Diagnostic radiologic technologist, who is a person who actually handles X-ray equipment in the process of applying radiation on a human being for diagnostic purposes at the direction of a licensed practitioner, this includes parenteral procedures related to radiologic technology when performed under the direct supervision of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW;

     (b) Therapeutic radiologic technologist, who is a person who uses radiation-generating equipment for therapeutic purposes on human subjects at the direction of a licensed practitioner, this includes parenteral procedures related to radiologic technology when performed under the direct supervision of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW;

     (c) Nuclear medicine technologist, who is a person who prepares radiopharmaceuticals and administers them to human beings for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and who performs in vivo and in vitro detection and measurement of radioactivity for medical purposes at the direction of a licensed practitioner; or

     (d) Radiologist assistant, who is an advanced-level certified diagnostic radiologic technologist who assists radiologists by performing advanced diagnostic imaging procedures as determined by rule under levels of supervision defined by the secretary, this includes but is not limited to enteral and parenteral procedures when performed under the direction of the supervising radiologist, and that these procedures may include injecting diagnostic agents to sites other than intravenous, performing diagnostic aspirations and localizations, and assisting radiologists with other invasive procedures.

     (5) "Approved school of radiologic technology" means a school of radiologic technology or radiologist assistant program approved by the secretary or a school found to maintain the equivalent of such a course of study as determined by the department. Such school may be operated by a medical or educational institution, and for the purpose of providing the requisite clinical experience, shall be affiliated with one or more general hospitals.

     (6) "Approved radiologist assistant program" means a school approved by the secretary. The secretary may recognize other organizations that establish standards for radiologist assistant programs and designate schools that meet the organization's standards as approved.

     (7) "Radiologic technology" means the use of ionizing radiation upon a human being for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

     (8) "Radiologist" means a physician certified by the American board of radiology or the American osteopathic board of radiology.

     (9) "Registered X-ray technician" means a person who is registered with the department, and who applies ionizing radiation at the direction of a licensed practitioner and who does not perform parenteral procedures.

[2008 c 246 § 2; 2000 c 93 § 42; 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 505; 1991 c 222 § 2; 1991 c 3 § 204; 1987 c 412 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- Headings and captions not law -- Effective date -- 1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.