I appreciate the comments posted to the forum and the opportunity to clarify what was meant by "minimally invasive procedures" in the petition to change the rules regarding Radiologists Assistants. Other than diagnostic fluoroscopy, the specific procedures that would be most beneficial to be included in the proposed change are PICC lines (peripherally inserted central catheter) and image guided large joint injections (shoulder, hip, knee) for either therapeutic purposes or for arthrography pre-MRI.
I would also like to address another comment posted and assure its author that Radiologists Assistants are keenly aware of the potential risks and complications from any procedure. Radiologist Assistants are Advanced Practice Clinicians who specialize in performing these procedures. If it would be helpful to alleviate any safety concerns for these procedures, we could mirror the Regulations Governing the Practice of Physician Assistants in Virginia, specifically 18VAC85-50-110 Subdivision two (2) part B. This section reads that Physician Assistants can perform invasive procedures without direct observation or supervision after they have performed three (3) of the procedures and are deemed competent.
I apologize for the confusion and would be glad to discuss the proposed rule change.
