New RN and RPN practice standard: Screening and Diagnostic Tests & Imaging

​The BCCNM board on Sep. 26, 2024, approved a new practice standard for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, Screening and Diagnostic Tests & Imaging. This standard outlines the accountabilities and expectations for providing safe nursing care when performing any activities related to screening and diagnostic tests & imaging. It will come into effect on Nov. 25, 2024.

• Review the standard (not yet in effect)​
  

Cont​ext

Screening and diagnostic tests & imaging are an integral part of clinical decision making. They help inform the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, stratification of risk, and treatment of disease. RNs and RPNs may perform some screening and diagnostic tests and imaging activities with a client-specific order and others within their autonomous scope of practice.

Changes to the Laboratory Services Regulation in 2023 changed the status of RNs and RPNs from “temporary referring practitioners” for Covid-19 tests, to “referring practitioners” for a broader range of communicable disease testing for the purpose of communicable disease prevention and management. However, RNs and RPNs have not yet been able to apply for and use an MSP practitioner number.

The standard outlines:

• expectations that nurses must meet when ordering, performing, interpreting, and managing screening and diagnostic tests and imaging, both with a client-specific order and within their autonomous scope of practice.

• expectations around the use of Medical Services Plan (MSP) Practitioner Numbers for non-certified practice RNs and RPNs.

Certifie​d practice

Certified Practice RNs and RPNs may order and/or perform screening and diagnostic tests and imaging to support a diagnosis of a disease or disorder as per their certified practice designation decision support tools (DSTs). Certified practice nurses are established referring practitioners who can currently apply for and use an MSP practitioner number, with an approved Medical Service Plan (MSP) benefit schedule.

This new standard supports certified practice nurses by setting clear expectations that they must meet when ordering, performing, interpreting, and managing screening and diagnostic tests and imaging in accordance with their certified practice DSTs. It does not change how certified practice RNs and RPNs obtain and use an MSP number.

Important​

Please note:

• Non-certified practice RNs and RPNs cannot apply for or use an MSP number to request (order) laboratory services until this new standard is in effect.

  • RNs and RPNs will generally only need an MSP number to request (order) outpatient laboratory services.

• Non-certified practice RNs and RPNs must have employer approval to apply for and use an MSP practitioner number, and follow associated organization/employer policies and processes when using their MSP practitioner number.

• Per the Laboratory Services Regulation, non-certified practice RNs and RPNs may use their MSP practitioner number to request (order) certain laboratory tests for communicable disease prevention and management for their clients.

Information on how to apply for an MSP number will be shared closer to the in-effect date of the standard, as well as additional resources from the BC Centre for Disease Control to support decision making when ordering tests for the purpose of communicable disease prevention and management.

Questions?

Submit a request to our Standards & Guidance team (RN or RPN).​