What is
the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI)?
The Oregon Board of Medical Imaging has
the authority to issue licenses and permits to medical imaging technologists
and radiation therapists. With a mission to promote, preserve and
protect the public health, safety and welfare of Oregonians who
are undergoing medical imaging studies and
radiation therapy performed by agency licensees
the Board is dedicated to providing excellent service and support to the
public, stakeholders, license and permit holders.
The Board is an ARRT designated Continuing Education
(CE) approving body that evaluates more than two dozen applications each year
for Oregon-based CE courses
The Board oversees continuing education requirements
and the schools in Oregon that teach Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO)
courses.
Radiation safety is a primary concern for the Board of
Medical Imaging. The OBMI has non-voting advisory members from Radiation
Protection Services (RPS) and works closely with RPS to ensure the safety of
patients undergoing medical imaging in Oregon
The Board has authority to promote legislation and
adopt administrative rules and Board policies. Through the Oregon Revised
Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), the board has authority
to discipline license or permit violations.
The Board
approves a biennial budget for the Board’s
Administrative office.
What are the demographics of the Board and how are Board members selected?
The 12 Board members are comprised of four physicians, five
licensees (one from each imaging modality) and three public members. All Board
members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Board members spend considerable time deliberating
issues including policy, rule and procedure, reading materials pertaining to
complicated technical investigatory cases and attending Board meetings.
How
often does the Board meet?
The Board has an appointed Committee that meets quarterly to
discuss all matters of Board business and then makes recommendations to the full Board that result from discussions during the
Committee meeting. The full Board also
meets quarterly approximately 2 weeks after the Committee meeting. Special
Board meetings may be called when necessary.
Can the
public attend the meetings?
Yes! The public is encouraged and welcome to attend the public
sessions of any Board meeting. The agenda are published on the OBMI website along with the meeting dates and
other pertinent information such as rulemaking or public hearings regarding
proposed rules.
What subjects
are discussed at the Board meetings?
The Board discusses a myriad of matters
concerning the regulation of licensees and permittees
in Oregon. Topics include: disciplinary issues (licensee and permittee
violations of Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes), policy,
rules, proposed rule amendments, legislation that relates to medical imaging,
waiver requests and public commentary.
How can
I find out what was discussed at the meetings?
Public session summaries are typically approved by the Board in the
public session during the following Quarterly
board meeting. The approved summaries can be found on our website.
What is the role of OBMI Staff?
The OBMI staff run the day to day business of the Board. The staff wear many hats and
the following is a short list of what
they do: The Investigator/Board Advisor investigates and compiles evidence and testimony for cases that arise from complaints and technical violations that are brought to the Board,
advises the Board and Staff regarding medical
imaging, reviews CE offerings and educates staff and the public regarding
license and permit issues; the Administrative Specialist manages the over 6,100
licenses and permits, answers a multitude of questions from license and permit
holders, educates and advises the public regarding medical imaging issues,
manages the accounts receivable and payable and assists other staff; the Compliance
Specialist manages the website and related issues regarding IT, maintains
records, manages the background checks, manages the LEDS (Law Enforcement Data
System) and assists other staff; the Executive Director oversees the agency, is
the liaison between the Board and other State
agencies including the Governor’s office, Legislature and Department of Justice, prepares materials for
the meetings, drafts rules and policy and assists licensees and permittees with
issues.
What are
my license or permit fees paying for?
A State agency is similar to a
business in the private sector. There are costs to maintain that business in
order to provide the services for the customers. In the case of the Board, the
Licensees and Permittees are the customers. The Board serves the public of
Oregon by regulating the Licensees and
Permittees and ensures that the Board’s mission is upheld. The fees from
licenses and permits issued by the Board support the agency’s costs for the services the agency provides to its
license and permit holders, stakeholders and public. The following are agency
costs for which fees provide revenue: Investigations of disciplinary
cases, Licensure issuance, Continuing
Education approval and monitoring, Legal support, Human Resources support,
Legislative actions, compliance with State and Federal mandates, Administrative
support and compensation for Board members.
What
does the OBMI do for me?
The Board provides licensees and
permittees with information and support concerning renewal, obtaining initial
licensure and adhering to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised
Statutes. The Staff along with the technical expertise from the Board members,
provide the licensees and permittees with a wealth of knowledge of the medical
imaging profession and support for staying in compliance with industry
standards and regulations. The Board maintains Category A Continuing Education
offerings making Oregon one of eight states that offer approved CE required for
medical imaging credentials. This enables the licensees to obtain required CE
for National Credentials here in Oregon. The Board approves schools that allow
the opportunity for the required education for obtaining a Limited X-Ray
Machine Operator and Bone Densitometry Permit. The CE requirements for Permit
holders is also approved by the Board. The Board approves and submits
applications made by licensees and permittees
for required National exams in order to practice in the field of medical
imaging.
What is my responsibly as a License or Permit Holder?
As a License or Permit holder from
the OBMI, it is your duty and responsibility to understand and adhere to the
Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes regarding the practice
of medical imaging in Oregon.