House Bill 2044 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the role of certified medical assistants (CMAs) in healthcare settings, particularly in relation to physician assistants (PAs). The bill allows PAs to delegate tasks to CMAs under collaborative agreements with licensed physicians, thereby expanding the scope of practice for CMAs. It also updates the certification requirements for CMAs, specifying that they must be certified or registered by recognized certifying bodies such as the American Medical Technologists and the National Healthcareer Association. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of ambulatory outpatient clinics in training and verifying the competency of CMAs, particularly in administering medications.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the types of medications that CMAs are authorized to administer, including various forms of injections, vaccines, and oral medications, while ensuring that these tasks are performed under the delegation of a physician or physician assistant. It emphasizes that PAs cannot delegate patient care activities that require their professional judgment. The legislation aims to streamline the delegation process and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery by allowing CMAs to take on more responsibilities in patient care, thereby supporting healthcare providers in managing their workloads effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-19-106, 68-11-244(a)(2), 68-11-244, 68-11-244(e)(3), 68-11-244(g), 68-11-244(i)(1)(A), 68-11-244(i)(1)(D), 68-11-244(i)(1), 68-11-244(i)(2), 68-11-244(i)(3), 68-11-244(j)(8), 68-11-244(j)