S-4317               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 4754

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Wojahn)

Read first time 2/3/86.

AN ACT Relating to health care assistants; and amending RCW 18.135.060.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 6, chapter 281, Laws of 1984 and RCW 18.135.060 are each amended to read as follows:

          Any health care assistant certified pursuant to this chapter shall perform the functions authorized in this chapter only by delegation of authority from the health care practitioner and under the supervision of a health care practitioner acting within the scope of his or her license.  In the case of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular and intravenous injections, a health care assistant may perform such functions only under the supervision of a health care practitioner having authority, within the scope of his or her license, to order such procedures:  PROVIDED, That a health care assistant trained by a federally approved end-stage renal disease facility may perform venipuncture for blood withdrawal, administration of oxygen as necessary by cannula or mask, venipuncture for placement of fistula needles, intravenous administration of heparin and sodium chloride solutions as an integral part of dialysis treatment, intradermal, subcutaneous or topical administration of local anesthetics in conjunction with placement of fistula needles, and intraperitoneal administration of sterile electrolyte solutions and heparin for peritoneal dialysis in the center or facility or in the patient's home, if a registered nurse licensed under chapter 18.88 RCW is physically present and immediately available in such facilities for patients dialyzing in the facility, or for patients dialyzing at home if a physician and a registered nurse are available for consultation during the dialysis.