Senator Morales,

     My name is Daniel Gonzales and I am a Radiologic Technologists from Carlsbad New Mexico. I am currently the Director of Radiology at Artesia General Hospital. I have been in Health Care going on 25 years. I am a member of several boards and councils regarding the profession of Radiology two being the Radiation Technical Advisory Council (RTAC) and the New Mexico Society of Radiologic Technologists. I have an Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Radiological Administration. As a registered Radiologic Technologists and a technologist of higher education I have to continue to be re-certified every two years to keep my employment as a technologist. We are not allowed to be exempt because we are of higher education. We continue to work on certifications in our field of practice and not in nursing.

     It has been brought to my attention that the CRNA’s have lobbied you and convinced you to propose an amend sections of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Health and Safety Act. First of all what qualifications do they carry to be exempt? In order for a Radiologic Technologist to perform the duties of the profession they must meet the imaging prerequisites plus re-certify every two years with 24 hours of continuing education. We will be one of the first states to certify Ultrasonographers and MRI Technologists in order to perform their job. Not once have we asked that the “Technologist” be exempt from performing these specialties only because they are “Radiologic Technologist”. We understand that in order for a technologist to do Ultrasound and perform MRI that they be properly educated and meet all the criteria and competencies to perform these tasks. 

      The exemptions that they are asking for is out of their scope of practice! If the “Radiologic Technologist” is being ask to become certified in, Sonography, MRI and be certified to use ionizing radiation then so should the CRNA’s CNP’s CNS’s and midwives! This is something that should not be ignored but work towards keeping patients safe from the over use or over exposure of radiation and the misdiagnosis of certain pathologies because the person performing the exam was not properly educated. If our Ultrasound Technologists have to be certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or the Registry for Vascular Technology (RVT) then so should the CRNA, CNP’s, CNS and midwives.

      I can speak for the technologist of this state by saying that being a nurse of higher education or advanced certification should not exempt you from this law. Imaging is a whole different area than nursing.

Things to think about:

·         Poor quality images can lead to additional testing, increased dose, delays in treatment and needless anxiety for the patient. 

• Professional, well trained Radiologic Technologists reduce health care costs by lowering the number of radiologic examinations that must be repeated due to improper positioning or poor technique. 
• Safety in radiologic procedures. Administered properly, radiation is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disease. However, most radiologic procedures also carry a potential health risk, and radiation can be harmful if mis-administered.
• Those professionals listed above, while well trained in their area of expertise, are not trained in radiation use and safety, technique or positioning.  This is our area of expertise.
• Radiologic professionals are specifically qualified to ensure the best possible outcome in diagnostic procedures.

     Senator considering that you are an educator does it make sense to you that I as a Radiographer can go in and teach your class? That is what we ask, let us do what we do best “Advanced Medical Imaging” and allow them to do what they do best “Advanced Nursing care”.

Thank you for your time.

Daniel L. Gonzales, MSRS, RT(R)
Director of Radiology Artesia General Hospital
Chairman of the Board of the New Mexico Society of Radiologic Technologists
Member of the Radiation Technical Advisory Council

NEW MEXICO SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
47 Yucca Lane • Placitas, NM 87043 • http://www.nmsrt.org
radiographer@gmail.com