54.1-2957.15 - Unlawful to practice as a polysomnographic technologist without a license.
§ 54.1-2957.15. Unlawful to practice as a polysomnographic technologistwithout a license.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person not holding a current and validlicense from the Board of Medicine to practice as a polysomnographictechnologist or to assume the title "licensed polysomnographictechnologist," "polysomnographic technologist," or "licensed sleep tech."
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a health careprovider licensed pursuant to this title from engaging in the full scope ofpractice for which he is licensed, including, but not limited to, respiratorycare professionals.
C. For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
"Polysomnographic technology" means the process of analyzing, scoring,attended monitoring, and recording of physiologic data during sleep andwakefulness to assist in the clinical assessment and diagnosis of sleep/wakedisorders and other disorders, syndromes, and dysfunctions that either aresleep related, manifest during sleep, or disrupt normal sleep/wake cycles andactivities.
"Practice of polysomnographic technology" means the professional servicespracticed in any setting under the direction and supervision of a licensedphysician involving the monitoring, testing, and treatment of individualssuffering from any sleep disorder. Other procedures include but are notlimited to:
a. Application of electrodes and apparatus necessary to monitor and evaluatesleep disturbances, including application of devices that allow a physicianto diagnose and treat sleep disorders, which disorders include but shall notbe limited to insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, movementdisorders, disorders of excessive somnolence, and parasomnias;
b. Under the direction of a physician, institution and evaluation of theeffectiveness of therapeutic modalities and procedures including thetherapeutic use of oxygen and positive airway pressure (PAP) devices, such ascontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airwaypressure of non-ventilated patients;
c. Initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintenance of patient'sairway (which does not include endotracheal intubation);
d. Transcription and implementation of physician orders pertaining to thepractice of polysomnographic technology;
e. Initiation of treatment changes and testing techniques required for theimplementation of polysomnographic protocols under the direction andsupervision of a licensed physician; and
f. Education of patients and their families on the procedures and treatmentsused during polysomnographic technology or any equipment or procedure usedfor the treatment of any sleep disorder.
(2010, c. 838.)