As used in this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the board of the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.

(2) "Certificate" means a certificate issued by the board or by an entity recognized by the board authorizing the certificate holder to use radioactive materials or equipment emitting ionizing radiation on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(3) "Licensed practitioner" means a person licensed to practice medicine, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractic, or osteopathy in this State.

(4) "Limited practice radiographer" means a person who conducts diagnostic radiology exams limited to the performance of specific procedures or applications of ionizing radiation to specific parts of the human body.

(5) "Limited chest radiographer" means a person who conducts diagnostic radiography exams of the chest only, not to include mammography.

(6) "Nuclear medicine technologist" means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who prepares and administers radiopharmaceutical agents to humans for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

(7) "Podiatric limited practice radiographer" means a person who conducts diagnostic radiology exams limited to the performance of specific procedures or applications of ionizing radiation to specific parts of the human body, working under the supervision of a licensed podiatrist.

(8) "Radiation therapist" means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who applies radiation to humans for therapeutic purposes.

(9) "Radiographer" means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who applies radiation to humans for diagnostic purposes including, but not limited to, mammography, cardiovascular-interventional technology, and computed tomography.

(10) "Radiologic technologist" means a person who is a limited practice radiographer, radiographer, podiatric limited practice radiographer, limited chest radiographer, radiation therapist, or nuclear medicine technologist certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or who is certified by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association or who has obtained a certificate acceptable to the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.

(11) "Direct supervision" means a certified radiographer who:

(a) reviews the procedure in relation to the student's achievement;

(b) evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the student's knowledge;

(c) is present during the conduct of the procedure;

(d) reviews and approves the procedure; and

(e) is present during student performance of any repeat of any unsatisfactory radiograph.

HISTORY: 1999 Act No. 101, Section 1.