Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

153Chapter 6 – Scope of Practice of Medical Radiation Technologyupdated to reflect the competencies required and to ensure transparencyfor other health professionals and the public. This is a central tenet ofHPRAC’s enabling regulatory framework.A review of Canadian jurisdictions found that MRTs in Quebec and Albertaare authorized to perform this controlled act, and it is considered commonin MRT practice in New Brunswick.3. That MRTs be authorized to insert an instrument, hand or finger beyondthe labia majora.That the regulations made under the Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991require the College to develop the standards, limitations and conditions forthe performance of this controlled act through a process ofinterprofessional collaboration with other Colleges, individuals and entities.Beyond the UrethraMRTs in the specialties of radiological technology, nuclear medicine andradiation therapy currently perform the controlled act of putting aninstrument beyond the urethra under delegation. It is part of the routinepractice of these MRTs to insert urinary catheters to either visualize thelocation of the urethra in the course of radiation treatment planning or toinject contrast media for x-ray simulation in the treatment planning processfor prostate and bladder cancer. There are also diagnostic imaging modalitiesthat require the bladder to be empty to better visualize the pelvic area. 62Educators confirmed that these tasks are commonly taught and tested aspart of the MRT curriculum and fall within the essential competencies ofthe profession. 63 In addition, this act is authorized in Quebec and Albertaand common in MRT practice in New Brunswick.HPRAC maintains that, since it is a routine part of MRT practice, performingthis function under one’s own professional authority and accountability ispreferable to delegation from another authorized health professional. It isalso more transparent to the public and to other members of acollaborative health team providing patient care.4. That MRTs be authorized to insert an instrument, hand or finger beyondthe urethra.That the regulations made under the Medical Radiation TechnologyAct, 1991 require the College to develop the standards, limitationsand conditions for the performance of this controlled act through aprocess of interprofessional collaboration with other Colleges,individuals and entities.62Submission to HPRAC: Review of Interprofessional Collaboration Under the Regulated HealthProfessions Act; joint submission by College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario andOntario Association of Medical Radiation Technologists; June 30, 2008, p. 37.63Submission to HPRAC: Review of Interprofessional Collaboration Under the Regulated HealthProfessions Act; joint submission by College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario andOntario Association of Medical Radiation Technologists; June 30, 2008, Appendix 2, Section III,Tabs 1&2.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009