radiologists have nothing to fear from rpa's(radiology practitioner assistants). thay are not midlevel providers. they are neither pa's nor nurses.they are basically glorified xray techs. they can not do h+p's or write prescriptions. they can do a few interventional studies but only under the supervision of a radiologist. they can judge the quality of a study just like a tech and decide to repeat it or not but they do not overread films like a radiologist. there is only 1 program in the country that trains them and only 1 state that licenses them differently than xray techs(NY).
from the website description of rpa's:
Despite the similarity in the titles, radiology practitioner assistants (RPAs) and physician assistants (PAs) are separate professions with distinctly different educational models and curricula.
Physician assistants are broadly educated as medical providers and are regulated in all states, typically by medical boards. They diagnose and treat patients, order tests, and prescribe medications, working with physicians in all medical and surgical specialties.
Radiology practitioner assistants are radiologic technologists with additional radiology training. They practice strictly within radiology, providing expanded patient management, performing more complex procedures than radiologic technologists. They do not diagnose, order tests or procedures, or prescribe medications. Radiology practitioner assistants practice under their radiologic technologist licenses, except in New York, where they are recognized as "specialist assistants" under the medical practice act.
While both professions practice with physician supervision, the scopes of practice are very different. Jane Van Valkenburg, PhD, RT, director of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Weber State University, states, "The roles are completely different. Radiology practitioner assistants should not be confused with physician assistants. RPA education is an extension of the radiology technician."
