Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an RPA?

An RPA, or a Radiology Practitioner Assistant, is an individual who is a
certified and registered radiographer who holds a current and active registration
status. An RPA must also have a current ACLS certification and has completed a
RPA educational program recognized by the CBRPA and is certified by the CBRPA.

 

2. What can an RPA do?
   An RPA can do all fluoroscopic procedures, static and dynamic, evaluate
   imaging procedures to determine normal from abnormal and provide the radiologist with a technical report, perform invasive procedures, such as, athrograms, fluid drainage, biopsies, placement of naso-gastric and enterocylsis tubes, myelograms and any other procedures in which competency has been demonstrated and that the radiologist has confidence and is comfortable letting the RPA do. The RPA is a physician extender in radiology and can provide primary patient care in radiology health care services.
3. Does a RPA have to be licensed separately?
   No, another license is not necessary because the RPA is an extension of the
   RT, so a separate license is not necessary in many states. For example, when a
   physician obtains a license and then becomes a radiologist, another license is not necessary because a radiologist is considered to be an extension of the physician. The same situation applies to a nurse practitioner, because the nurse practitioner is an extension of the nursing license. However, some states recently passed legislation or revised their state regulations and now issue a separate license for RPAs, so check with your state to determine what is required
4. What if a state does not have a licensing law for Radiographers, does
   the RPA need a license in these states?
   No, even though a state does not license radiographers, the radiographer is
   recognized as an integral part of the health care team and certification is required
   by the health care facility. Therefore, the RPA is still recognized as an extension
   of the R.T.
5. Does a RPA do image interpretation?
   No, the final interpretation is always provided by the radiologist. The RPA
   provides an internal technical report or a preliminary report to the radiologist,
   similar to the type provided by sonographers. The final interpretation is the role
   of the radiologist. Some radiologists may allow the RPA to dictate the technical
   report, but the report and the images are reviewed by the radiologist before signing the official interpretation.
6. Does a RPA do separate billing?
   No, the RPA works under the supervision of the radiologist and the
   procedure is billed under the radiologist’s name.
7. Who employs the RPA?
   Most often, the radiology group employs the RPA. In some rural areas, the
   hospital may employ the RPA and in other situations the employment is shared or leased between the radiology group and the hospital. Employment is situation specific, depending on the circumstances.
8. If the radiology group employs the RPA, how can the RPA work in a hospital?
   The RPA applies for medical privileges under the umbrella of the radiology
   group, much like a PA or a NP applies for privileges under the auspices of a
   physician’s group. There has not been a problem with the RPA applying for medical privileges as part of the radiology group.
9. How does JCAHO view an RPA working in a radiology department?
   There does not seem to be a problem with the accrediting agency, as long as
   the RPA adheres to the competency requirements established for the radiologists
   and is credentialed by the health care facility.
10. How can I become an RPA?
    You must be a registered radiographer with an current and active standing
    to apply to an educational program. Individuals who are not radiographers and are registered only in sonography, nuclear medicine or any other health profession are not qualified. In addition to being a radiographer, you must have a minimum of three years of experience, have the consent of a radiologist who is willing to be your preceptor during the program and have obtained permission from a health care facility to permit you to do your clinical preceptorship at their facility. To be an RPA, you must be a graduate of a CBRPA recognized educational program and have successfully passed the CBRPA certification examination.
11. Are there jobs available for an RPA?
    Most graduates work for the radiology group that sponsored them.
    However, the demand is growing and positions are opening up for RPAs across the country.
12. What stand does the American College of Radiology (ACR) take on the
    RPA?
    The American College of Radiology (ACR) passed a resolution at their annual
    meeting in 2000 stating they support licensing, certification or appropriate
    methods designed to assure qualifications of non-physician personnel who provide the technical aspects of medical imaging and/or radiation therapy procedures. The CBRPA provides this assurance. ACR has not publicly endorsed or supported the RPA, but recognizes, according to their publications, that RPAs are working for radiology groups and have become a part of the health care team in radiology.
13. What is the salary scale for an RPA?
    The salary ranges according to region of the country, type of job responsibilities and benefit package.
14. How many states have RPAs working in them?
    Currently, 44 states have either RPA graduates or students working within
    them.
15. What are the advantages of having an RPA working in a radiology department?
    The RPA can do many of the time consuming procedures that the radiologist currently does, this leaves more time for the radiologist to concentrate on the interpretation of imaging examinations and on the more complicated procedures.
    The RPA has more time to spend with patients to get a good clinical history and to answer their questions and to address their needs, which is very important in a competitive health care industry. The workflow in the department goes much smoother because the patients do not have to wait for a radiologist to be available for their barium study or to inject contrast media. There are less interruptions for the radiologist, because the technologists can go to the RPA to have their questions answered in most cases. The RPA increases the efficiency of the department and for the radiologist.