SB 6237-S.E - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Eliminates the category of certified health care assistant and requires current health care assistants to transition into one of the following categories: Medical assistant-certified; medical assistant themodialysis technician; medical assistant-phlebotomist; and medical assistant-registered.

Requires the medical quality assurance commission, the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, the podiatric medical board, the nursing care quality assurance commission, the board of naturopathy, and the optometry board to review and identify other specialty assistive personnel and the tasks they perform.

Requires the secretary of the department of health to: (1) Adopt rules specifying the minimum qualifications for a medical assistant-certified, medical assistant-hemodialysis technician, and medical assistant-phlebotomist; and

(2) Develop recommendations regarding a career path plan for medical assistants and entry-level health care workers to transition by means of a career ladder into medical assistants or other health care professions.

Provides that certain applicants with military training or experience satisfies the training or experience requirements of the act.

Repeals chapter 18.135 RCW (health care assistants), effective July 1, 2016.