There are no CRNA specific regulatory statutes that apply to CRNAs in Texas performing radiologic procedures.
The Texas Board of Nursing Rule 217.14 applies to CRNAs performing radiologic procedures in Texas. Board Rule 217.14(a) requires registration with the Board of Nursing for locations other than:
a hospital that participates in the federal Medicare program or that is accredited by The Joint Commission shall submit an application for registration
If the facility in which you will be practicing does not fall under these two criteria, you will need to register with the Texas Board of Nursing.
Board Rule 217.14(d) states, “The registered nurse whose functions include radiologic procedures must act within the scope of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Board's rules and shall comply with the training requirements and limitations of the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act and the rules of the Texas Medical Board”
The Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act is referenced in Board Rule 217.14(d), which may be found in Chapter 601 of the Texas Occupations Code. Subchapter D provides exemptions from certification and registration.
The Texas Department of State Health Services oversees the Radiation Control Program. We have provided a link to the Laws and Rules for X-Ray Machines and Services within Texas here. Texas Administrative Code Rule 289.227 discusses the use of radiation for the healing arts.
In Texas, the Texas Board of Nursing defers to the national standards and scope of practice for each respective APRN specialty when considering if certain actions are within the professional scope of practice of an APRN. For Nurse Anesthetists, the AANA is the entity responsible for establishing the professional scope of practice for CRNAs. The use of fluoroscopy and the subsequent interpretation of fluoroscopic imaging is within the professional scope of practice of CRNAs (AANA link). Individual scope of practice for CRNAs may vary, and a CRNA may expand their scope of practice after completion of additional training. Fluoroscopic radiation therapies are integral to the practice of non-surgical pain management. Following radiation safety principles and minimizing excess radiation to patients and nearby personnel is part of the safe practice of nurse anesthesia. Adherence to radiation safety principles is part of the standard of care for practitioners of interventional pain management.
