State and Federal Regulatory Compliance
All state or federal regulations that relate to nurse-call requirements are the responsibility of the clinical engineer. State departments of health have health care facility requirements relating to radiation and laser safety. Clinical engineers are commonly assigned the role of lasersafety officer and training officer for radiation safety. This role involves conducting compliance surveys, distribution of safety-education materials, and ensuring that all required documentation is correct and current. Clinical engineers must have expertise in a broad range of regulatory areas to comply with national standards and codes such as the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) and the National Electric Code (NEC) and regulations promulgated by such federal agencies as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations (JCAHO) as well as local and state standards and codes.