There are several types of medical assistants (MAs) licensed by the Department of Health, including MA-hemodialysis technicians. An MA-hemodialysis technician performs hemodialysis when delegated and supervised by certain health care practitioners. In order to become licensed as an MA-hemodialysis technician, an applicant must complete a training program or hold a national credential that is the equivalent of the training program. In addition, the applicant must have a high school education, the ability to read, write, and converse in English, basic math skills, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.
In order to facilitate patient continuity of care and to allow sufficient time for application processing, an applicant for certification as a medical assistant-hemodialysis technician who has completed the training program may continue to work at a dialysis facility under the level of supervision required for the training program for a period of 120 days after the application is filed.
(In support) Kidney dialysis facilities are facing staffing issues. Medical assistant-hemodialysis technicians (MA-hemodialysis technicians) receive four to 12 weeks of on-the-job training in hemodialysis facilities, after which they may apply for a license. Current law requires care to be stopped while the application is processed, which creates a treatment gap. This is disruptive to patient care and exacerbates provider shortages. Streamlining the process will help staffing challenges and increase continuity of care. This bill will allow MA-hemodialysis technicians to continue to practice for 120 days under the same level of supervision, which will assure continuity of care while their applications are being processed.
(Opposed) None.