The full Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Assembly members Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia (Both D-Hudson) to strongly urge the State Board of Medical Examiners (BME) to adopt rules and regulations and to define the parameters for radiologist assistant practice in New Jersey as is necessary to implement existing regulations of the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.
The sponsors issued the following statement on the bill:
“Radiologists Assistants are providing valuable services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They deserve the support of the state and the Board of Medical Examiners for their industry.
“Yet the board has not moved to enact legislation signed into law in 2017 to provide for licensing and require BME to approve procedures and establish the level of supervision necessary for the practice of radiologist assistants.
“There are currently graduates of the Rutgers Radiologist Assistant that cannot be employed as RAs, after years of study, until BME implements these statutory requirements.”
The measure (ACR-32) also advises the Board of Medical Examiners to adopt a list of approved procedures in which a certified radiologist assistant may engage in, and identify the levels of supervision that are necessary for radiologist assistants to engage in such approved procedures.
The bill passed 75-0. It will now go the Senate for further consideration.