The bill establishes a new certification for medical assistants who also hold Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or paramedic certifications, designated as "medical assistant-EMT." It amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to define this new role and set qualifications, requiring individuals to be registered under RCW 18.360.040 and possess valid EMT or paramedic certifications. The bill ensures that the qualifications for medical assistant-EMT align with existing EMT and paramedic standards, emphasizing that no one may practice as a medical assistant-EMT without proper certification. It also allows those with valid EMT or paramedic certifications to obtain this new certification without additional training or examination, provided their certifications are in good standing.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the duties that medical assistant-EMTs can perform under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner, including essential procedures like disposing of biohazardous materials, taking vital signs, and administering specific medications. It empowers the secretary of health to establish additional duties for medical assistants-EMT as necessary. The bill also amends existing definitions and regulations related to health professions, incorporating medical assistants-EMT into the list of regulated health professions and clarifying the roles of the secretary and various boards overseeing these professions. Overall, the changes aim to enhance the scope of practice for medical assistants-EMT while ensuring their duties are consistent with their training and certification.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.360.010, 18.360.020, 18.360.040, 18.360.050