Subject of Possible Rule Making: HB 1864 was signed by the governor on May 14, 1999. This bill establishes a new profession called surgical technologists under the secretary, Department of Health. This profession will be registered by the secretary. There is no education, examination or continuing education requirements. Rules need to establish a list of tasks surgical technologists may perform as well as definitions of various terms that will assist surgical technologists in understanding their scope of practice.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The statute is vague as to what kinds of tasks a surgical technologist may perform. Rules would outline these tasks and put the surgical technologist applicant and licensee on notice as to their scope. In the event that a surgical technologist were to perform tasks beyond their scope, this would allow the applicant and licensee some advance notice of practice concerns. Some definitions of surgical technologist terms should be developed so that all applicants and licensees are aware of what is meant when these terms are used. This will provide assistance to the applicants and licensees in understanding and following the rules.

Separate rules are being developed to define fees, applications, renewals and appeal procedures.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will hold several public rule writing workshops to work with students, surgical technologists, schools and facilities who employ surgical technologists. Following the workshops a public rules hearing will be held to take additional input. All persons on the interested person mailing list, schools and targeted facilities will be contacted to participate in this open public process. The dates are set for December 2, 1999, in Seattle and December 3, 1999, in Spokane.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kendra Pitzler, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4723, fax (360) 236-4738.

October 1, 1999

Eric Slagle

for Mary Selecky

Secretary

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