SHB 1555 -
By Representative Green
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1 RCW 18.215.020 and 1999 c 335 s 3 are each amended to
read as follows:
No person may represent oneself as a surgical technologist by use
of any title or description, or perform the functions of a surgical
technologist, without being registered by the department under the
provisions of this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 18.215 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) A surgical technologist working in a hospital licensed under
chapter 70.41 RCW or an ambulatory surgical facility licensed under
chapter 70.230 RCW may perform the following functions:
(a) Maintaining surgical instrument integrity from within the
surgical field during surgical procedures;
(b) Performing surgical tasks, including instrument and equipment
transfers and counts and managing fluids, specimens, and supplies;
(c) Identifying and correcting breaks in asepsis; and
(d) Performing other surgical tasks as directed.
(2) In order to perform functions in a hospital or ambulatory
surgical facility, a surgical technologist must first submit evidence
of any one of the following to the department in a manner acceptable to
the secretary:
(a) Successful completion of a nationally and programmatically
accredited surgical technology program;
(b) Successful completion of a surgical technology program offered
by the United States armed forces; or
(c) Performance of surgical technology functions in a hospital or
ambulatory surgical facility for a period of one year in the five years
immediately preceding January 1, 2016.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 18.215 RCW
to read as follows:
Nothing in this chapter prohibits or affects:
(1) A person licensed under this title acting within his or her
scope of practice;
(2) A person performing functions in the discharge of official
duties on behalf of the United States government including, but not
limited to, the armed forces, coast guard, public health service,
veterans' bureau, or bureau of Indian affairs; or
(3) A person completing the clinical portion of a surgical
technology education program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 The department of health shall adopt rules
necessary to implement this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 Sections 1 through 3 of this act take effect
August 1, 2015."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Requires surgical technologists to meet minimum educational standards when working in an ambulatory surgical facility (the underlying bill imposes this requirement for surgical technologists working in hospitals). Articulates the specific functions a surgical technologist may perform in a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility: (1) maintaining surgical instrument integrity from within the surgical field during surgical procedures; (2) performing surgical tasks, including instrument and equipment transfers and counts and managing fluids, specimens, and supplies; (3) identifying and correcting breaks in asepsis; and (4) performing other surgical tasks as directed. Allows a surgical technologist to perform functions in a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility if he or she has practiced in a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility for one year in the five years preceding January 1, 2016 (instead of January 1, 2015). Changes the effective date of the act to August 1, 2015 (instead of August 1, 2014).