Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1893
Brief Description: Allowing emergency medical technicians to provide medical evaluation, testing, and vaccines outside of an emergency in response to a public health agency request.
Sponsors: Representatives Donaghy, Riccelli, Leavitt, Simmons, Slatter, Tharinger, Berg, Taylor, Frame, Macri, Harris-Talley and Pollet; by request of Department of Health.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the definition of "emergency medical technician" (EMT) to allow EMTs to provide collaborative medical care.
Hearing Date: 1/27/22
Staff: Emily Poole (786-7106).
Background:

Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are certified by the Department of Health (DOH).  There are four primary categories of EMS personnel:  paramedics; emergency medical technicians (EMTs); advanced EMTs; and emergency medical responders (also known as first responders).  Emergency medical services personnel may only provide services within the scope of care established in the curriculum of the person's level of certification or any specialized training.

 

Certified EMS personnel are only authorized to provide patient care when performing in a prehospital emergency setting or during interfacility ambulance transport, for a licensed EMS agency or an organization recognized by the Secretary of Health, and within a scope of care that meets defined criteria.


An EMT is a person who is authorized by the Secretary of Health to render emergency medical care or, under the supervision and direction of an approved medical program director, to participate in a community assistance referral and education services program.

 

In 2020 the DOH adopted a policy statement regarding EMS providers and emergency vaccinations.  In compliance with Washington's EMS scope of practice, the DOH authorized EMTs to administer vaccines under certain conditions when there is a state or local declaration of emergency.

Summary of Bill:

The 2020 Department of Health (DOH) policy allowing emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to administer vaccines under certain conditions is codified and expanded to include communicable disease response outside of a state of emergency.

 

The definition of "emergency medical technician" is modified to allow EMTs to provide collaborative medical care.  Collaborative medical care means medical treatment and care provided in collaboration and partnership with local, regional, or state public health agencies to control and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, which is rendered separately from emergency medical service.  The provision of collaborative medical care may not exceed the EMT's training and certification.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.