Non- Medical Referrer (NMR) - Scope of Practice
Why
Various healthcare and allied healthcare professional groups can refer patient
to InHealth facilities. This flexibility in accepted referral pathways serves to
improve access to imaging for both Primary and Secondary care referrers and
their patients.
Where
Patients can be referred by non-medical referrers into specified InHealth
diagnostic facilities following completion of a non-medical referrer registration
form.
When
Once a referral is sent, it will be accepted by the InHealth facility so long as
the referrer has completed a registration form and subject to passing a clinical
triage process.
Who
Only those individuals who have completed a non-medical referrer registration
form and have been authorised to refer, may do so.
A list of healthcare professionals who have been authorised to refer will be
maintained at each InHealth diagnostic imaging site.
The process of clinical triage of referrals will be carried out by a Consultant
Radiologist (for referrals involving exposure to ionising radiation)not necessary
for plain xray For referrals to non-ionising radiation technologies, triage will be
carried out either by the InHealth Clinical Triage Team or other suitably
competent radiographer or by a local Consultant Radiologist.
The non-medical referrer can only refer for specified examinations as listed in
the referrer registration form. Final acceptance of referrals will be subject to a
Triage decision which is based on the RCR iRefer Guidelines.
What
How
Patients will be referred to the InHealth site using a diagnostic referral form
which has been completed and signed by the non-medical referrer, providing
detailed, relevant clinical history in a legitimate style. InHealth will arrange for
the reporting of such examinations and dispatch of the report to a secure
Email or other address identified by the referrer.
Audit
The number and appropriateness of referrals from non-medical referrers will
be audited via examination of those referrals rejected at the Triage stage as a
% of the total number referred.
InHealth will support referrers with education if required.
I have read and fully understood the scope of practice as a non-medical referrer. I agree to
work within the scope of practice.
Signature (non-medical referrer):
Date: