1. (1) Each registrant with a CT X-ray system shall employ or contract with a licensed health care professional to perform CT procedures. Nothing in this chapter prohibits the registrant from requiring the employed or contracted radiologic technologist to hold a recognized national certification or other accreditation relevant to CT, such as an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) CT certification, prior to performing CT procedures.
2. (2) The registrant shall provide training to operators performing CT procedures within six months of employment and annually thereafter. Training must be documented for all radiologic technologists in a single training log. The training must be equivalent to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 10 Pearls: Radiation Protection of Patients in CT. This document is located on the department's website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Radiation/XRay
3. (3) Each registrant with a CT X-ray system shall employ or contract with a medical physicist and verify the medical physicist meets the requirements of WAC 246-226-065 to perform the activities of the medical physicist specified in this chapter.

4. (4) The registrant shall appoint a lead interpreting CT physician and a lead CT technologist to work cooperatively to:

   1. (a) Develop, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and registrant requirements that address:

      1. (i) Radiation protection, the hazards of radiation exposure to both patients and facility personnel, and appropriate monitoring;
      2. (ii) Identification of pregnant or potentially pregnant patients; and
      3. (iii) Safety issues, including contrast use and sedation, and reducing exposure as much as reasonably possible for pediatric patients;
   2. (b) Ensure that a physician is present and immediately available when contrast is administered to a patient; and

   3. (c) Be responsible for:

      1. (i) Implementing the quality control program required in WAC 246-226-080;
      2. (ii) Ensuring compliance with the recommendations of the medical physicist; and
      3. (iii) Overseeing all CT-related materials including, but not limited to, clinical and phantom images, quality control data, and other information required by this chapter.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050 and 70.98.080. WSR 16-23-030, § 246-226-070, filed 11/8/16, effective 1/1/17.]