Radiologic technologists: venipuncture: direct supervision.

Existing law, the Radiologic Technology Act, provides for the certification and regulation of radiologic technologists by the State Department of Public Health and makes a violation of the act or regulation of the department adopted pursuant to the act a misdemeanor. Existing law authorizes a radiologic technologist to perform venipuncture in an upper extremity, as specified, under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon. Existing law defines direct supervision for purposes of that provision to mean the direction of procedures by a licensed physician and surgeon who is physically present and available within the facility when the procedures are performed to provide immediate medical intervention prevent or mitigate injury to the patient in the event of adverse reaction. This bill would revise that definition to require the licensed physician and surgeon to either be physically present within the facility and immediately available to intervene or available immediately via audio and video communication with access to the patient's medical imaging records and have the ability to intervene by directing other onsite personnel. The bill would require the facility to have safety protocols and, unless the facility has a licensed physician and surgeon who is physically present, as specified, to have personnel onsite who have the appropriate license to respond to adverse events at the physician's direction. By changing the scope of direct supervision for purposes of these provisions, the violation of which is a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.