TITLE 18
INTERPRETIVE RULE
WEST VIRGINIA MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY TECHNOLOGY BOARD OF EXAMINERS

SERIES 6
PRACTICE OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

§18-6-1.  General.

      1.1.  Scope.  --  The West Virginia Legislature has declared that the public should be protected from excessive and improper exposure to ionizing radiation.  The West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners has the responsibility to establish the minimum standards of education, training, and experience to ensure that the public is properly protected.  Radiologic Technology is defined in W. Va Code§30-23-4 (t) as “the application of ionizing radiation or assisting in the application of medical imaging to human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a licensed practitioner”.

      1.2.  Authority.  --  W. Va. Code §§30-23 et seq. and 30-1-1 et seq.

      1.3.  Filing Date.  --  June 2, 2025.

      1.4.  Effective Date.  --  July 2, 2025.

§18-6-2.  Application.

      This rule applies to all licensees and permittees under W. Va. Code §30-23-1 et seq.

 §18-6-3.  Definitions.

      The following word, as used in this rule, has the following meaning, unless the context otherwise requires:

      3.1.  “Board” means the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology  Board of Examiners.

      3.2 “General Supervision” means the overall guidance, direction, and control of a medical procedure by a licensed practitioner who is not physically present for the procedure but is readily available for immediate consultation and medical support if needed.

      3.3. “Licensed Practitioner” means a healthcare provider authorized to practice medicine in West Virginia, including physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, speech pathologists, dentists, advanced practice registered nurses, radiologist assistants, and radiology practitioner assistants.

§18-6-4.  Interpretative Ruling

      This Interpretative Ruling was approved by the Board at the March 25, 2004, Board meeting and revised at the March 25, 2009, Board meeting.  The Board has determined that the procedures for the Practice of Radiologic Technology shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

      4.1.  Generating or initiating any radiation exposure.

      4.2.  Setting the exposure factors (time, distance, voltage & current).

      4.3.  Positioning the patient for an examination.

      4.4.  Positioning the equipment in order to expose the proper body part.  This explicitly applies to intra-operative/intra-procedural manipulation/positioning of the equipment.

      4.5.  Selecting the proper image receptor.

      4.6.  Select proper safety factors (example - shielding and collimation).

      4.7.  Verifying that the exposure has produced an adequate image for diagnosis.

      4.8.  Interpretative fluoroscopic procedures are to be performed only under the direct supervision of a West Virginia licensed interpretive practitioner, with the exception of spotting of the terminal ileum by a properly trained, licensed radiographer.  Direct supervision is defined as a West Virginia licensed practitioner being in the room or by live remote audio and video.

§18-6-5.  Contrast Media Administration.

      5.1. It is within the scope of practice of a medical imaging and radiation therapy technologist to perform the parenteral administration of contrast media after consultation with, and under the general supervision of, a prescribing licensed practitioner who is immediately and physically available to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of adverse events.