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Can A Chiropractor (d.c) Legally Perform Ct (cat Scan) Imaging As The Technologist In The State Of Illinois?

I would like to know if a DC can perform x-rays, ct scans, and mri legally in the state of illinois. Would they be able to perform these scans on their own patients? Would they be able to automatically perform these with on the job training or would they have to and be able to sit for these imaging exams from the proper governing body.

Posted on February 26, 2010 at 5:30 pm by radiology · Permalink
In: Cat Scan Technician Jobs · Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

3 Responses

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  1. Written by Healthy Skeptic
    on February 26, 2010 at 5:46 pm
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    I’m not sure what the laws say in Illinouis about MRI/CT, but I know that DC’s can perform X-Rays in their office in most states. I’m not aware of any DC that can afford and has the space for a CT scanner or MRI scanner. Typically, they refer patients to get an MRI or CT by either a local hospital or imaging center, or perhaps they sign up for the portable MRI’s to visit their office once a month.
    Regardless, given the scope of practice of a DC, I’m not sure how often (if ever) they would need to order up a CT scan. If they stumble across some questionable findings, I would hope that they would immediately refer the patient to the appropriate medical specialist, who will then perform advanced diagnostic techniques.

  2. Written by Halema
    on February 26, 2010 at 6:06 pm
    Permalink

    Illinois is pretty strict about regulating their healthcare professionals. Often, these types of diagnostic screenings fall under the scope of their legal field of practice. It is usually the larger corporations such as hospitals and medical centers that require certification in the use of these tools.
    When I was a Medical Assistant, living in California, I was taught by the podiatrist that I worked for to take x-rays. The only requirement was that I had to wear a little x-ray “badge” that measured how much exposure I had to x-rays while I was taking them. I fell under the doctor’s scope of practice *as long as I was working for him and under his authority in his actual office*. If and when someone from the state came in, I would be required to have that little badge on my lapel, otherwise I would have been fined (and the doc, too!). Same with being able to take blood and run blood diagnostics in the back office. It all falls under the scope of the medical doctor’s insurance liability and practice. Illinois is getting to where they insist on almost every medical professional, including massage therapists, to be licensed now. This is just the State’s way of getting more money, IMHO. And if a doctor can afford to purchase the kind of equipment you are talking about, then yeah, they’ve probably been certified.

  3. Written by brave new world
    on February 26, 2010 at 6:37 pm
    Permalink

    Are you the chiropractor?
    The way to find out is to contact the State Chiropractic Board – very easy to do just search online.
    Very many Chiropractors have x-ray equipment, but the cost of a CAT scan would make it out of their reach. I think they could only work in a hospital setting if they were also a certified technician as well.
    State laws vary though – call and find out.