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HANDBOOK
FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGISTS
This handbook is a guide
to inform nuclear medicine technologists of New Jersey's regulatory
and licensure requirements and to provide information regarding
the State and federal agencies that regulate the practice of
nuclear medicine technology. This document provides a general
summary of the regulations and licensure requirements and is
published for informational purposes only.
HISTORY
AND GENERAL INFORMATION
The Radiation Protection
Act of 1958 (NJSA 26-2D et seq.) created the Commission on Radiation
Protection (CORP). The CORP is empowered to establish regulations
to prevent unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. The CORP
is made up of ten members, seven of whom are appointed by the
Governor, plus the Commissioners of the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), Department of Health and Department of Labor
or their designees. The DEP's regulations are published in New
Jersey Administrative Code Title 7 Chapter 28 (NJAC 7:28 et
seq.). Copies of NJSA 26:2D or NJAC 7:28 can be obtained by
calling 609-984-5890.
The DEP's regulations
that pertain to nuclear medicine technology can be found in:
NJAC 7:28-3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
and 13. These subchapters address the registration, licensing,
transportation, storage, and use of all naturally occurring
and accelerator produced radioactive materials.
NJAC 7:28-24 addresses
the educational and licensure requirements for nuclear medicine
technologists and establishes the accreditation requirements
for schools of nuclear medicine technology.
In 1979, the CORP created
the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) to advise
the CORP on issues involving the use of radioactive materials
in medicine. The ACNM also reviews nuclear medicine technology
educational programs to ensure compliance with the CORP's educational
standards and offers recommendations regarding accreditation
to the CORP. Members of the ACNM are appointed by the chairperson
of CORP. Current membership consists of three nuclear medicine
technologists, three nuclear medicine physicians, three nuclear
medicine physicists, one member from the CORP and one representative
from the DEP. Persons interested in being considered for appointment
to the ACNM should submit their curriculum vitae to the DEP's
Bureau of Radiological Health (BRH).
The DEP staff provide
technical and administrative support to the CORP and ACNM. DEP
staff routinely conduct inspections of nuclear medicine facilities
to ensure compliance with all of the CORP's regulations that
pertain to nuclear medicine technology.
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LICENSING
REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
The possession and use
of radioactive materials in New Jersey are regulated by the
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and/or the
DEP depending on the materials involved.
The NRC regulates radioactive
by-product materials (materials produced in a nuclear reactor).
Regulatory authority is derived from the Atomic Energy Act.
The regulations regarding NRC license activities are found in
Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR). Applicable
regulations pertaining to the medical use of by-product materials
are found in 10 CFR Parts 19, 20, 21, 30, 35, 71, and 170. Some
frequently used radionuclides in nuclear medicine that are licensed
by the NRC are Technetium-99m, Iodine-131 and Cesium-137.
The DEP's Bureau of Environmental
Radiation regulates radioactive materials that are classified
as either naturally occurring or accelerator produced. Regulatory
authority is derived from the Radiation Protection Act (NJSA
Title 26:2D). The regulations pertaining to naturally occurring
and accelerator produced radioactive materials are found in
the New Jersey Administrative Code Title 7 Chapter 28 (NJAC
7:28). Commonly used state licensed material are Iodine-123,
Thallium-201, Gallium-67, Indium-111 and Cobalt-57. Information
concerning DEP's licensing requirements can be made by calling
the BER at 609-984-5462
Unlike some states, New
Jersey is not an agreement state. An agreement state is the
sole regulating authority and assumes responsibility for its
use of federal and state licensed materials. Additional information
concerning NRC licensing requirements can be received by contacting
the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region I, 475
Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406-1415, Phone
number: 610-337-5000.
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PRACTICE
OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY AND LICENSURE ENFORCEMENT
The CORP has defined
the practice of nuclear medicine technology to be: preparing
radiopharmaceuticals for the administration to humans, administering
radiopharmaceuticals to humans, positioning of patients, setting
technical factors or operating imaging and/or measuring equipment
for examinations which require the administration of radiopharmaceuticals
to humans, or acquiring and manipulating of patient data, other
than demographic and clinical data, with or without the use
of computers for examination requiring the administration of
radiopharmaceuticals. A nuclear medicine technologist is not
permitted to perform any procedure that uses x-ray equipment.
A licensed nuclear medicine
technologist is not permitted to administer a therapeutic dose
of any form of radionuclides to humans. A therapeutic dose is
defined as a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical which is intended
for therapeutic purposes and not for diagnostic purposes.
A licensed nuclear medicine
technologist is permitted to administer materials other than
radiopharmaceuticals provided that the material and its administration
complies with the Department of Law and Public Safety's Board
of Medical Examiners' (BME) regulation N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.20.
All inquiries of this nature should be directed to the BME.
The BME can be reached at 609-826-7100.
The transportation of
radioactive materials, including unit doses, is regulated by
the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT regulations
are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49
CFR). These regulations include package specifications and identify
who can transport radionuclides. For specific information on
regulations, please contact the DOT at: United States Department
of Transportation, Radioactive Materials Branch, 400 Seventh
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, Phone number: 202-366-4545.
Only a currently licensed
nuclear medicine technologist is permitted to engage in the
practice of nuclear medicine technology. Authorized users, however,
may practice within the scope of their New Jersey and NRC licenses.
An authorized user is defined as a New Jersey licensed physician
who is permitted by either the DEP and/or the NRC to use radioactive
materials for medical purposes. Some functions of a licensed
nuclear medicine technologist can be performed by students enrolled
in a DEP approved nuclear medicine technology program, provided
that they are acting in a DEP approved clinical education center
and supervised by a licensed nuclear medicine technologist in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-24. A person specializing
in nuclear medicine physics, computer science, or engineering
may manipulate computerized data under the supervision of an
authorized user.
The DEP will fine individuals
engaging in the practice of nuclear medicine technology who
are not authorized by the DEP to do so. Such penalties are usually
assessed against both the individual and the employer. Any violation
of NJAC 7:28 et seq. could warrant the issuance of a Notice
of Prosecution in the amount up to $2,500 for each day of the
violation.
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LICENSURE
REQUIREMENTS FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGISTS
When the CORP and DEP
established the licensure requirements for nuclear medicine
technologists, it served to notify the public of its interest
in high quality health care and that patient welfare is of paramount
concern. Licensure helps to ensure that only competent individuals
are permitted to engage in the practice of nuclear medicine
technology. The goal of licensure is to insure that patients
receive the benefits of high quality nuclear medicine procedures
without unnecessary exposure to radiation.
The DEP may issue a New
Jersey Nuclear Medicine Technology license to an applicant who:
a.
Has within three years of application for a license, has passed
either the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT),
or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)
and has maintained current certification with either the ARRT
or NMTCB. OR
b.
Has passed either the ARRT or NMTCB examination but not within
three years of application for a license, but has maintained
current certification with either the ARRT or NMTCB and has
legally engaged in the practice of nuclear medicine technology
for at least 1,000 hours in the preceding three years. OR
c.
Has within three years of application for a license, has passed
the New Jersey licensing examiantion in nuclear medicine technology.
OR
d.
Is currently certified, registered, or licensed in another
state or country that has equivalent standards as DEP's standards
and has legally engeged in the practice of nuclear medicine
technology for at least 1,000 hours in the preceding three
years. AND
e.
Has not violated any provision of NJSA 26:2D et seq. or NJAC
7:28 et seq. AND
f.
Submits a complete nuclear medicine technology license application.
The current fee is $40.00. Applications can be obtained by
calling 609-984-5890.
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TEMPORARY
LICENSE IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY
A temporary license in
nuclear medicine technology may be issued to an individual who
has successfully completed a nuclear medicine technology program
approved by the DEP. A temporary license shall expire
90 days from date of program completion. No more than one
temporary license can be issued to an individual. Applications
can be obtained by calling 609-984-5890.
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RENEWAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSES IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY
Except for temporary
licenses, nuclear medicine technology licenses expire annually
on December 31of every even numbered year (e.x. Decembe 31,
2000). In order to work on or after January 1, (e.x. January
1, 2001), a nuclear medicine technologist must have renewed
his or her license by submitting a renewal application. Participation
in continuing education activities is not currently a requirement
for the renewal of a New Jersey nuclear medicine technology
license. The current renewal fee is $40.00.
The DEP mails renewal
applications in October or November of every even numbered year.
It is the responsibility of each nuclear medicine technologist
to inform the BRH of any change of name or mailing address and
to contact the BRH if a renewal application is not received.
The DEP is not responsible for any undeliverable applications.
A license which has remained
expired for more than three years cannot be renewed. Such individuals
must either retake and pass the New Jersey Nuclear Medicine
Technology Licensing Examination or demonstrate a current certificate
issued by either the ARRT, NMTCB or ASCP and has legally
engaged in the practice of nuclear medicne technology for at
least 1,000 hours in the preceding three years before a new
license can be issued.
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IMPORTANT
BUREAUS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS WITHIN THE DEP
The BRH is responsible
for the administration of NJAC 7:28-24. The BRH monitors the
nuclear medicine technology programs in New Jersey and conducts
inspections to ensure that only licensed individuals are performing
nuclear medicine procedures. Any questions regarding the licensing
requirements for nuclear medicine technologists or complaints
concerning patient safety in nuclear medicine can be directed
to BRH.
The BRH is also responsible
for processing applications for either a nuclear medicine technology
examination or license. All applications should be mailed to
the BRH. Any change in a technologist's mailing address must
be made in writing. Any change in the last name of a technologist
must also be reported in writing and must be legally documented.
The BRH can be reached by writing to: New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiological Health,
PO Box 415, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0415 or by calling 609-984-5890
(Fax 609-984-5811).
The Radioactive Materials
Section (RMS) of the Bureau of Environmental Radiation is responsible
for the licensing of all naturally occurring and accelerator
produced radioactive materials. The RMS routinely inspects nuclear
medicine facilities to ensure compliance with NJAC 7:28. To
ask any questions regarding the licensing of radioactive materials
or to report an incident involving a radioactive material, contact
this section. The RMS can be reached by writing to: New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Environmental
Radiation, Radioactive Materials Section, PO Box 415, Trenton,
New Jersey 08625-0415 or by calling 609-984-5462 (Fax 609-984-5595)
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QUICK
REFERENCE OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS
- DEP Bureau of Radiological
Health, Technologist
Licensure Section 609-984-5890
- DEP Bureau of Environmental
Radiation, Radioactive
Materials Section 609-984-5462
- Department of Law
and Public Safety, Board
of Medical Examiners 609-826-7100
- US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission 610-337-5000
- US Department of Transportation
202-366-4545
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