P.R. Laws tit. 20, § 4001
For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Accrediting agency. — The accrediting body which certifies the nuclear medicine technology academic study programs.
(b) Continuing education. — Education through organized courses approved by the Board, leading to obtain credits for the renewal of the license to practice nuclear medicine technology.
(c) Equivalency examination. — The examination or certification offered to grant a license to those persons who meet the requirements to practice the profession as nuclear medicine technologist and whose subject matter shall be tempered to the precision and complexity standards established in this chapter or by Board regulations.
(d) Radiation physicist. — A person certified by the Health Physics Society of the United States or by the American Board of Radiology in the field of physics for radiodiagnosis, radiotherapy physics or general radiological physics.
(e) Board. — The “Board of Examiners of Nuclear Medicine Technologists” provided and created by this chapter, attached to the Office for the Regulation and Certification of Health Professionals of the Department of Health of Puerto Rico.
(f) License. — Any document duly issued by the Board authorizing the practice of nuclear medicine technology.
(g) Temporary license. — Any document duly issued by the Board temporarily authorizing the practice of nuclear medicine technology.
(h) Radioactive material. — Any solid, liquid or gas which emits ionizing radiation spontaneously.
(i) Nuclear physician. — A person with a Doctor of Medicine degree certified to practice the specialty of nuclear medicine as defined by the Board of Medical Examiners of Puerto Rico.
(j) Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). — The certification examination to certify technologists in nuclear medicine offered in the United States of America.
(k) Ionizing radiation. — Includes gamma rays, x-rays, alpha and beta particles, high velocity electrons, protons and other nuclear particles or electromagnetic radiation capable of producing ions directly or indirectly when passing through matter.
(l) Radiochemical medication. — Radioactive substances given to the patient to assist in the diagnostic process or in the treatment of a disease or condition.
(m) Nuclear medicine technology. — Technology which requires the use of radiochemical medication or radioactive materials to assist in the diagnostic process or in the treatment of a disease or condition in humans. It entails the calibration and use of equipment to detect radiation to obtain the necessary clinical information; the preparation and calibrated doses of radiochemical medications before being given to persons, and the administering of radioactive materials to patients as provided by this chapter or by regulations of the Board.
(n) Licensed nuclear medicine technologist (TMNL, Spanish acronym). — Person who practices nuclear medicine technology and who holds a license granted and issued by the Board of Examiners for the Practice of Nuclear Medicine Technology which allows said person to practice his/her profession in Puerto Rico, and who acts under the supervision of a physician who specializes in nuclear medicine. Only this duly licensed person may use the initials “TMNL” next to his/her name to identify him/herself as a licensed nuclear medicine technologist.
History —Aug. 8, 1998, No. 205, § 2.