Professional Practice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ Practice Standards

• Is it within the scope of practice for a Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professional to administer contrast or other medications?

  The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy support that medication administration, including administration of contrast media, are within Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals scope of practice if educationally prepared and clinically competent where federal or state statues and/or institutional policy permit.

  ASRT Resources:

  • • Medication Administration by Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals
  • • Medication Administration in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines or Ports with a Power Injector
  • • Medication Administration Through Existing Vascular Access
  • • Glossary-see definition of medication
  • • Practice Standards

• Is it within the scope of practice for a Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professional to perform venipuncture and start, maintain or discontinue intravenous access?

  The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy support that venipuncture and the start, maintenance or discontinuation of intravenous access are within Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals scope of practice if educationally prepared and clinically competent where federal or state statues and/or institutional policy permit.

  ASRT Resources:

  • • Medication Administration by Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals
  • • Medication Administration in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines or Ports with a Power Injector
  • • Medication Administration Through Existing Vascular Access
  • • Glossary-see definition of Vascular Access Device and Venipuncture
  • • Practice Standards

• Can a Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professional receive verbal orders, telephone orders, or record the orders in the patient's chart?

  Verbal and/or Telephone Orders

  • • Receiving, relaying and documenting verbal, written and electronic orders in the patient’s medical record.

  The statement serves to indicate that receiving the order and recording the appropriate notation in the patient chart or electronic medical record is within scope of practice. Individual institutions may have specific guidelines concerning verbal order processing; including how soon after issuing the order the licensed practitioner should sign the order. Federal and state laws, accreditation standards necessary to participate in government programs, and lawful institutional policies and procedures supersede these standards.

• How do I find out what other Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy professionals do in their facilities?

  The ASRT Communities can be a very valuable resource for networking. Reaching out to your peers can prove to be quite helpful.

  To learn more about communities:

  • • Introducing the ASRT Communities

• What are some valuable tools for determining scope of practice?

  • • ASRT Practice Resources & Decision Tree for Determining Scope of Practice
  • • The ARRT Standards of Ethics (The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)

  
  

  *Links to external websites may change without notice.