The bill amends existing laws in Washington State concerning the roles and responsibilities of certified medical assistants, specifically updating sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to their duties. It introduces a new provision that allows certified medical assistants to "enter and activate orders for health care services" under established protocols, which include the necessity for standing written protocols and training on order-entry systems. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these tasks do not require clinical judgment, thereby enhancing the efficiency of medical assistants in supporting health care practitioners.

Additionally, the bill updates definitions and roles for various types of medical assistants, including "medical assistant-certified," "medical assistant-EMT," and others, all of which are certified under RCW 18.360.040. It also redefines "supervision" to require that a health care practitioner be physically present or immediately available during certain procedures, with specific exceptions for tasks like blood withdrawal and telemedicine visits. The bill further modernizes health care delivery by allowing supervision through interactive audio and video technology during telemedicine consultations, particularly for administering certain treatments, reflecting the growing integration of telemedicine in patient care.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.360.060
Substitute Bill: 18.360.060