Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) Radiologist assistants are advanced-level radiographers who are critically important members of the radiologist-led team. (2) Radiologist assistants work strictly under the supervision of a radiologist to promote high standards of patient care by assisting radiologists in the diagnostic and interventional imaging environment. (3) In every jurisdiction authorizing radiologist assistants to practice, they are only permitted to furnish services when delegated by and under the supervision of a radiologist. (4) Radiologist assistants value their working and professional relationships with radiologists and have never sought, nor do they seek, the ability to practice independent of radiologists. (5) While radiologist assistants perform various valuable professional services and may make and communicate initial observations to the radiologist, radiologist assistants are not qualified to perform interpretations (preliminary, final, or otherwise) of any radiological examination. (6) Removing barriers to care rendered by radiologist assistants under the supervision of a radiologist will provide value-based, efficient solutions to improve patient outcomes while ensuring patient safety.