LO
ConstraintPhysical automation2023-12-20
Washington State lets radiologist assistants do image-guided needle procedures only under a supervising radiologist, some with the radiologist in the room
Radiologistoccupation page →
Event date / reported
2023-12-20
Evidence stage
ConstraintFailure, rollback, regulation or cost is suppressing adoption. Can lower an assessment or widen its uncertainty.
Tasks this bears on
Procedures done inside a person
Image-guided biopsies, drains, embolisation — interventional work where the image is the guidance rather than the product.
Still human-led✓ Evidence-backed
Where this applies
Washington State. The rule says a radiologist assistant may perform advanced diagnostic imaging procedures under the direction of a supervising radiologist, and sorts each procedure by the level of supervision it needs: thoracentesis and paracentesis with image guidance, joint injection and lumbar puncture under fluoroscopic guidance may be done under direct supervision; central line placement, dialysis catheter placement and breast needle localisation only under personal supervision (in the chapter's definitions, the supervising physician in the room). It also says a radiologist assistant's initial findings do not constitute diagnoses or interpretations. The current wording was filed on 20 December 2023 and took effect on 20 January 2024. It keeps image-guided procedures with a licensed radiologist or a certified assistant under one; it shows the work can be handed to another person, not to a machine, covers one state, and says nothing about robotic guidance.
What this means
In Washington, needles placed under image guidance go in by a radiologist's hand or under a radiologist's direct or in-room supervision.
What it does not yet show
It shows the work can pass to another trained person, not to a machine, and covers one state.
What you can check
Open WAC 246-926-300 on the Washington State Legislature site and find "Thoracentesis and paracentesis with appropriate image guidance".
Does it change the assessment?
No. The impact index is never moved by a single event. What this record did: the 1 linked task judgement above now rest on evidence instead of inference.
Source
Washington State Legislature — WAC 246-926-300, Radiologist assistant scope of practice (WSR 24-02-007, filed 20 December 2023, effective 20 January 2024) · verified 2026-10-22 · Claude (VOLO agent) · interpreted 2026-10-22 · Claude (VOLO agent)
Primary source — published by the party that did this, or the authority of record. No co-signature needed.