Daniel is a radiological technologist working in interventional radiology. The next procedure he will be involved in is an IVC filter insertion. The radiologist has decided to use a femoral approach (access). He has asked Daniel to prepare the patient’s right groin area for the procedure. Daniel approaches the patient and explains what he is about to do. Daniel lowers the sheet to expose the groin area, keeping the genital area covered. He then shaves the area where the puncture will take place. Daniel then cleans the area with chlorhexidine and covers the area with a sterile drape. Daniel informs the radiologist that the patient has been prepped and is ready for the procedure.

Is this within Daniel’s scope of practice?

Questions that need to be asked:

1. Is Daniel authorized to prepare a patient for an interventional procedure?

The activity of preparing a patient before an interventional imaging procedure is not listed as a restricted activity within HPA legislation. Although completion of a College training or authorization is not required, it is the expectation of the College that the technologist involved will have received appropriate formal training, including didactic and clinical components and assessments, in order to perform this activity safely, ethically and competently. Once initial training has been successfully completed, as a regulated professional, it is the technologist’s responsibility to ensure ongoing competence in this area of practice.

2. What is Daniel’s responsibility to his patient?

As a radiological technologist, Daniel’s professional responsibility is to ensure he has the education and knowledge to perform patient preparation for an interventional radiology procedure. Regardless of the expected task performed, it is imperative that the technologist ensures that they have received appropriate education and training for these activities and that they limit their professional activities to those they are competent to perform and that are applicable to their area of practice. Whether the technologist maintains this competency, during professional practice, is usually a result of employer expectation and the technologist’s area of practice. As a result, the technologist is encouraged to collaborate with their employer to ensure that they receive initial training and ongoing pedagogic support appropriate to this practice.

In the MRT area of practice, the MRT must perform the activity in compliance with the College’s regulations, Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics (as listed below) and employer policy. Regulated members who display a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment in the provision of professional services or who contravene legislation, the Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice are considered to have committed unprofessional conduct.

Standards of Practice

Standard 1.2 Clinical Procedures

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

a. Take actions to prepare for the procedure (e.g., verify procedure ordered, ensure procedure requisitions/prescription contains required patient information, verify correct patient/anatomical location).

e. Possess the necessary competence to perform the procedure safely and effectively.

Standard 2.1 Legislation, Standards and Ethics

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

a. Assume personal responsibility for the quality and competence of the member’s practice.

b. Maintain and apply the knowledge, skills, judgments and behaviours necessary for safe, competent and ethical practice.

Standard 2.2 Professional Competence

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

b. Practice within the limits of the member’s competence.

c. Maintain knowledge of current and evolving technologies and integrate new learning into practice, as appropriate.

Code of Ethics

Principle 2 – Responsibility to the profession

c. Boundaries of competence – A regulated member limits their practice to those techniques and procedures that the member is competent and currently authorized to perform by virtue of education and experience and are consistent with the College’s standards.

Principle 3 – Responsibility to oneself

b. Accountability – A regulated member takes responsibility and is accountable for their professional activities.

There are many documents that help guide a regulated member’s practice. View these documents on our Resources page or use the Decision-Making Tool to work through a specific scenario.