To enact sections 4774.01, 4774.02, 4774.04, 4774.06, 4774.08, 4774.10, and 4774.99 of the Revised Code regarding licensure of radiologist assistants.

Section 1. That sections 4774.01, 4774.02, 4774.04, 4774.06, 4774.08, 4774.10, and 4774.99 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4774.01.  As used in this chapter:

(A) "Radiologist" means an individual holding a current, valid certificate issued under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code authorizing the practice of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery who specializes in the field of radiology.

(B) "Radiology" means the branch of medicine that deals with the use of radioactive substances in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Sec. 4774.02.  (A) No person shall do any of the following without a valid license issued under this chapter:

(1) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, perform the radiologic procedures described in division (A) of section 4774.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) Hold the person's self out in any manner as a radiologist assistant, including using any sign, advertisement, card, letterhead, circular, or other writing, document, or design, the evident purpose of which is to induce others to believe the person is authorized to practice as a radiologist assistant.

(B) Division (A)(1) of this section does not apply to either of the following:

(1) An individual engaging in the scope of practice for which the individual holds a valid license or certificate;

(2) An individual performing a task as part of an advanced academic program described in division (C) of section 4774.04 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4774.04.  Each person seeking to practice as a radiologist assistant shall apply in writing to the department of health for a license to practice as a radiologist assistant. The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the department and be accompanied by a license fee established in rules adopted under section 4774.10 of the Revised Code.

An applicant under this section must provide evidence satisfactory to the department of all of the following:

(A) That the applicant is at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character;

(B) That the applicant is licensed as a radiographer under Chapter 4773. of the Revised Code;

(C) That the applicant has a baccalaureate degree or postbaccalaureate certificate from an advanced academic program that encompasses a nationally recognized radiologist assistant curriculum that includes a radiologist-directed clinical preceptorship;

(D) That the applicant is certified in advanced cardiac life support;

(E) That the applicant satisfies any other requirements established by the public health council in rules adopted under section 4774.10 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4774.06.  The department of health shall issue a license to practice as a radiologist assistant to each applicant who meets the qualifications for licensure established in section 4774.04 of the Revised Code and pays the license fee established in rules adopted under section 4774.10 of the Revised Code.

A license issued under this section is valid for the length of time specified in rules adopted under section 4774.10 of the Revised Code.

The department may renew a license issued under this section and impose continuing education requirements in accordance with rules adopted under section 4774.10 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4774.08.  (A) Each person holding a valid license to practice as a radiologist assistant may do the following under the direct supervision of a radiologist:

(1) Perform fluoroscopic procedures;

(2) Assess and evaluate the physiologic and psychological responsiveness of patients undergoing radiologic procedures;

(3) Evaluate image quality, make initial image observations, and communicate observations to the supervising radiologist;

(4) Administer contrast media or other medications prescribed by the supervising radiologist;

(5) Perform any other procedures consistent with guidelines adopted by the American college of radiology, the American society of radiologic technologists, and the American registry of radiologic technologists.

(B) A person licensed to practice as a radiologist assistant shall not interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe medications or therapies.

(C) A radiologist supervising a radiologist assistant may authorize the assistant to perform only those radiologic procedures described in division (A) of this section and shall be present at the location where the assistant performs the radiologic procedures, consult with the assistant, and direct the assistant's performance of the radiologic procedures. The radiologist is not required to observe each radiologic procedure the assistant performs.

Sec. 4774.10.  The public health council shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement and administer this chapter. The rules shall be consistent with guidelines adopted by the American college of radiology, the American society of radiologic technologists, and the American registry of radiologic technologists, where applicable, and shall establish all of the following:

(A) Standards and fees for issuing and renewing licenses under section 4774.06 of the Revised Code, including the length of time a license is valid;

(B) Procedures and grounds for denying applications for licensure;

(C) Procedures and grounds for revoking or suspending licenses or taking other disciplinary action against a licensee;

(D) Continuing education requirements for persons licensed under this chapter;

(E) Any other requirements the council considers appropriate to implement this chapter.

Sec. 4774.99.  Whoever violates section 4774.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and felony of the fifth degree on each subsequent offense.