Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
SSB 6283
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Clarifying the practice of a phlebotomist.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Senators Becker, Bailey and Keiser).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/24/14
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
I. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.
The federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) established standards for clinical laboratory tests performed on humans. Under the CLIA, tests are grouped into one of three categories based on complexity: high complexity, moderate complexity, and waived tests.
II. Medical Assistant-Phlebotomists.
In 2012 four new professions were created to replace the existing health care assistant credential: medical assistant-registered, medical assistant-phlebotomist, medical assistant-certified, and medical assistant-hemodialysis technician.
A person may be licensed as a medical assistant-phlebotomist if he or she:
successfully completes a phlebotomy program from an accredited post-secondary school or college; or
successfully completes a phlebotomy training program as attested by a supervising health care practitioner.
A medical assistant-phlebotomist may perform capillary, venous, or arterial invasive procedures for blood withdrawal when delegated and supervised by a health care practitioner. A medical assistant-phlebotomist is not authorized to perform tests categorized as moderate complexity or waived under the CLIA.
Tests categorized as moderate complexity or waived under the CLIA may be performed by a medical assistant-certified or a medical assistant-registered. In order to perform moderate complexity tests, the medical assistant-certified or medical assistant-registered must meet standards for personnel qualifications and responsibilities in compliance with federal regulation for non-waived testing. The Department of Health (DOH) must update the list of CLIA-waived tests periodically based on changes in federal law.
Summary of Bill:
A medical assistant-phlebotomist may perform the same tests as a medical assistant-certified or medical assistant-registered:
A medical assistant-phlebotomist may perform tests waived under the CLIA. The DOH must update the list of waived tests periodically based on changes in federal law.
A medical assistant-phlebotomist may perform moderate complexity tests if he or she meets standards for personnel qualifications and responsibilities in compliance with federal regulation for non-waived testing.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 21, 2014.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.