SENATE BILL REPORT

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.

As Amended by House, March 5, 2014

Title: An act relating to clarifying the practice of a phlebotomist.

Brief Description: Clarifying the practice of a phlebotomist.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Senators Becker, Bailey and Keiser).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health Care: 1/28/14, 1/30/14 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/18/14, 47-0.Passed House: 3/05/14, 94-3.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6283 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Becker, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Member; Angel, Bailey, Cleveland, Keiser and Parlette.

Staff: Mich'l Needham (786-7442)

Background: The Department of Health (DOH) issues four types of medical assistant licenses: certified, registered, hemodialysis technician, and phlebotomist. Certification as a phlebotomist requires successful completion of a phlebotomy education or training program and demonstrated proficiency in procedural standards and techniques for blood collection. Persons credentialed as medical assistant-phlebotomist or medical assistant-certified may perform capillary, venous, or arterial invasive procedures for blood withdrawal under the general supervision of a qualified health care practitioner.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulates all laboratory testing, except research, performed on humans in the United States through Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The purpose of CLIA is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results. Requirements are based on the complexity of a particular laboratory test and may be waived for simple tests determined to carry a low risk of error.

Persons licensed as medical assistant-certified and medical assistant-registered may perform tests waived under CLIA as of July 1, 2013. They may also perform moderate complexity tests if they meet certain federal educational and training standards for personnel qualifications and responsibilities for nonwaived testing. DOH must periodically update the list of permitted waived tests based on changes made under CLIA.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Medical assistant-phlebotomists may perform: (1) tests waived under CLIA as of July 1, 2013; and (2) moderate complexity tests if the medical assistant-phlebotomist meets federal educational and training standards for personnel qualifications and responsibilities for non-waived testing. DOH must periodically update the list of permitted waived tests based on changes made under CLIA.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill is a technical fix to allow medical assistant-phlebotomists to perform tests as intended. The bill reflects a limited expansion of scope of practice.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Melissa Johnson, WA State Nurses Assn.; Linda Hull, The Everett Clinic; Carl Nelson, WA State Medical Assn.; Kristi Weeks, DOH.

House Amendment(s):