BILL REQ. #:  H-1683.5 

Read first time 03/04/11.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to medical assistants; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that medical assistants are health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices, clinics, and group practices. These multiskilled personnel are trained to perform administrative and clinical procedures. Physicians value this unique versatility more and more because patients ask them to contain costs and manage human resources efficiently. The demand for medical assistants is expanding rapidly.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Delegation" means direct authorization granted by a licensed health care practitioner to a medical assistant to perform the functions authorized in this chapter which fall within the scope of practice.
     (2) "Health care practitioner" means:
     (a) A physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW;
     (b) An osteopathic physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW; or
     (c) Acting within the scope of their respective licensure, a podiatric physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, a registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, a naturopath licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW, or an osteopathic physician assistant licensed under chapter 18.57A RCW.
     (3) "Medical assistant" means an unlicensed person who assists a licensed health care practitioner in all aspects of outpatient ambulatory health care pursuant to this chapter. A medical assistant assists with patient care, executes administrative and clinical procedures, and performs managerial functions.
     (4) "Supervision" means supervision of procedures permitted pursuant to this chapter by a health care practitioner who is physically present and is immediately available in the facility, but need not be present during procedures to withdraw blood.
     (5) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The secretary shall adopt rules that establish the minimum requirements necessary for a health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice to certify a medical assistant qualified to perform the duties authorized by this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Any health care practitioner, clinic, or group practice may certify a medical assistant to perform the functions authorized in this chapter under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A medical assistant under the supervision of a health care practitioner may perform the following duties:
     (1) Performing clinical procedures to include:
     (a) Performing aseptic procedures;
     (b) Preparing of and assisting in sterile procedures;
     (c) Taking vital signs;
     (d) Preparing patients for examination;
     (e) Venous and capillary blood withdrawal and nonintravenous injection;
     (f) Observing and reporting patients signs or symptoms;
     (2) Administering basic first aid;
     (3) Assisting with patient examinations or treatment;
     (4) Operating office medical equipment;
     (5) Collecting routine laboratory specimens;
     (6) Administering medications by unit, single, or calculated dosage including vaccines; and
     (7) Performing basic laboratory procedures.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   No person may practice as a medical assistant unless that person is registered with the department of health.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary may:
     (a) Adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, necessary to implement this chapter;
     (b) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter;
     (c) Establish administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees in accordance with RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. All fees collected under this section must be credited to the health professions account as required under RCW 43.70.320;
     (d) Issue a registration to any applicant who has met the requirements for registration and deny a registration to applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications for registration. However, denial of a registration based on unprofessional conduct or impaired practice is governed by the uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW;
     (e) Hire clerical, administrative, and investigative staff as needed to implement and administer this chapter;
     (f) Maintain the official department of health record of all applicants and registrants; and
     (g) Establish requirements and procedures for an inactive registration.
     (2) The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unregistered practice, the issuance and denial of a registration, and the discipline of persons registered under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   The secretary shall adopt rules to implement this act by July 1, 2012.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 2 through 7 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.