(a) This section applies to operators of radiation machines used for medical purposes on human beings (“medical radiation machines”) and is supplementary to the other provisions of this chapter.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 68-202-215
Commissioner: means the commissioner of environment and conservation or the commissioner's designated representative. See Tennessee Code 68-202-202
Radiation: includes all ionizing electromagnetic waves and corpuscular emissions such as, but not necessarily limited to, gamma rays and X-rays. See Tennessee Code 68-202-202
Radiation machine: refers to apparatus which produces or may produce when the associated controls are operated, one (1) or more forms of radiation. See Tennessee Code 68-202-202
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) During the course of conducting inspections of medical radiation machines, the department shall determine if the operator of such equipment is required by law to be certified by any of the following boards or agencies:
(1) The Tennessee board of medical examiners;(2) The Tennessee board of dentistry;(3) The Tennessee board of chiropractic examiners;(4) American registry of radiologic technologists;(5) American registry of clinical radiography technologists; and(6) Any other professional licensing board of this state which obtains the authority to issue certificates.(c)(1) If any licensee of a professional board permits an employee to operate or supervise the operation of medical radiation equipment by an operator who does not possess a current certificate issued by the appropriate board or agency, then the appropriate professional licensing board shall consider such action to be grounds for a finding of unprofessional conduct and may discipline accordingly.(2) If an individual violates this section more than once, registration of the medical radiation machine will be withheld until the department is notified by the appropriate regulatory board that the operator possesses a current certificate. All regulatory boards’ rules and regulations pertaining to medical radiation equipment must receive approval by the commissioner prior to promulgation.(d)(1) Any operator who has applied for and is awaiting examination by one of the boards or agencies listed in subsection (b) shall be permitted to operate medical radiation machines for a period of not to exceed one (1) year.(2) Students enrolled in radiography training courses offered in accredited hospitals and institutions of higher education or programs acceptable to one of the boards or agencies listed in subsection (b) shall be permitted to operate medical radiation machines only as required by such training and while supervised by instructors.
