Radiologist Assistant (RA)

Scope of Position

A Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) is a physician extender who works under the supervision of a radiologist to promote high standards of patient care by assisting radiologists in the diagnostic imaging environment. A RRA performs patient assessment, patient management, and selected clinical imaging procedures while under the supervision of a radiologist in compliance with institutional and state requirements.

Position Summary

The RRA is an advanced practice provider who performs selected imaging procedures under the supervision of a radiologist. The RRA may perform patient care functions and patient management before, during, and after imaging procedures. The RRA makes initial observations but does not provide an official interpretation as defined by the ACR standard for communication. The RRA does not prescribe. The RRA will also function as an extension of the Radiologic Technology profession by providing standard Radiologic Technologist duties as needed. The RRA may perform imaging procedures for which he/she receives privileges within The Ohio State University Health System.

The following procedures are listed as core privileges: esophagram, modified barium swallow, upper GI series, small bowel follow through, contrast enemas, nasogastric/enteric and orogastric/enteric tube placements, arthrograms, joint injections, joint aspirations, lumbar punctures, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and PICC placement.

The following is a list of optional procedures for which the radiologist assistant may request privileges: enteroclysis, T-tube cholangiography, defecography, chest fluoroscopy for diaphragmatic motion, ante grade urography through existing tube, cystography (including voiding), retrograde urethrography, loopography, hysterosalpingography (imaging only), hysterosalpingography (procedure and imaging), cervical/thoracic/lumbar myelography, placement of catheter for pneumothorax, abcess/fistula/sinus tract study, injection for sentinel node localization, breast needle localization, change of percutaneous tube or drainage catheter, thyroid biopsy, liver biopsy, insertion of non-tunneled central venous catheter, insertion of tunneled central venous catheter, port injections, extremity venography, CT and MR post-processing.

Minimum Qualifications

Basic Education:

A Masters degree with/or documented completion of a radiologist assistant program recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Certification:

a. Documentation of current BLS and ACLS certification.

b) Documentation of current RRA certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Licensure:

A full unrestricted license from the Ohio Medical Board to practice as a Radiologist Assistant in the State of Ohio required. Registered Radiologist Assistants are by definition also licensed by the Ohio Department of Health as Radiographers and certified as Radiographers by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.