Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-05-.11 - BONE DENSITOMETRY

All persons unless otherwise exempted who operate bone densitometry equipment in Tennessee must comply with the following:

(1) Fees - The same fees contained in rule 0880-5-.02 shall apply to individuals under this rule.

(2) Exemptions - The same persons exempted pursuant to rule 0880-5-.03 are exempted from the provisions of this rule.

(3) Qualifications for Certification -

(a) To be eligible for a limited radiological certification in bone densitometry a person must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; and

2. Possess a high school diploma or a GED certificate; and

3. Be of good moral character; and

4. Be free from physical or mental impairment which would interfere with the performance of duties or otherwise constitute a hazard to the health and safety of patients; and

5. Cause to have submitted verification of attendance and successful completion of a Board-approved radiological certification training course; and

6. Have successfully completed the Board-approved examination pursuant to subparagraph (4) (f) of this rule; and

7. Cause to be submitted to the Board's administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board's licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check; and

8. Have made application for certification pursuant to Rule 0880-5-.07 and paid all fees.

(b) Any person who holds a radiological certificate issued by another state obtained pursuant to standards and procedures substantially equivalent to the standards set by these rules may receive a certification at the Board's discretion.

(c) Any person who now holds a limited certification issued by the Board may receive limited certification upgrade in bone densitometry without compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (4) (b) through (d) of this rule.

(d) Any person who has successfully completed the course described in rule 0880-5-.05(2)(a) and has not applied for any limited certification from the Board may receive limited certification in bone densitometry without compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (4) (b) through (d) of this rule.

(4) Educational Course, Approval and Curriculum for Certification -

(a) Course approval under this rule shall be governed by rule 0880-5-.05(1) and (3).

(b) The Basic Course - Defined as the core, theory of foundation education basic to operation of bone densitometry equipment. This basic course shall include, but not be limited to: radiation protection & safety; principles of exposure of bone densitometry scanning machines; patient care; and anatomy of long bones and spine, including construction of bone, destruction of bone, and measurement of bone mass.

(c) Course approval shall be based upon the level of radiological education obtainable through the program courses. This course shall consist of twenty-four (24) clock hours.

(d) Completion of this basic course will not qualify anyone for limited certification in any body area other than bone densitometry.

(e) All applicants must have machine specific training according to the following:

1. The applicant must receive training on the same type machine that (s)he will be operating.

2. This machine-specific training may be done by the Manufacturer (or authorized Representative) or by a person holding a Certificate in Bone Densitometry and who has received machine-specific training by the Manufacturer on the appropriate machine.

3. The machine-specific training shall include, but not be limited to: Identification of machine components; Operation of machine; Exposure doses for various scans from the machine; Positioning for each scan procedure; Adjusting for errors; Image Acquisitions; Reference Databases; Quality Control Procedures.

4. All training must result in a Statement of Training being signed by the Manufacturer (or authorized Representative) or by a person holding a Certificate in Bone Densitometry and who has received machine-specific training by the Manufacturer on the appropriate machine. The Statement of Training shall be issued to the trainee, and sent to the Board's Administrative Office.

(f) Examination

1. All applicants must provide proof of having successfully completed the A.R.R.T.'s Limited Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators Examination.

2. An applicant will be deemed to have successfully completed the A.R.R.T.'s Limited Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators Examination upon correctly answering sixty-five percent (65%) of all questions contained on the examination.

(g) Clinical bone scanning must be supervised by a licensed physician.

(h) The clinical training obtained pursuant to this rule cannot be utilized as clinical training hours in qualification for limited certification in any other body areas.

(i) The following rules apply to certifications applied for and issued pursuant to this rule and are enforceable as if fully set out herein:

1. Rule 0880-5-.06(3) and (4); and

2. Rule 0880-5-.07; and

3. Rule 0880-5-.08; and

4. Rule 0880-5-.09; and

5. Rule 0880-5-.10; and

6. Rule 0880-5-.12.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-05-.11

Original rule filed August 31, 2000; effective November 14, 2000. Amendment filed November 1, 2002; effective January 15, 2003. Amendment filed May 28, 2003; effective August 11, 2003. Amendment filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2006; effective June 5, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2007; effective June 5, 2007.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, 63-6-214, 63-6-224, and Public Chapter 956 of the Public Acts of 2000.