The bill amends existing laws in Washington State to enhance the roles and responsibilities of certified medical assistants. It introduces provisions that permit medical assistants-certified to enter and activate orders for health care services, contingent upon a standing written protocol from a supervising health care practitioner. This protocol must outline the clinical criteria for initiating orders and be reviewed annually. The types of orders that can be entered include routine immunizations, screening tests, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic procedures. Additionally, any order activated by a medical assistant-certified must be reviewed and countersigned by a supervising health care practitioner within 24 hours. The bill also clarifies the delegation process for health care tasks, ensuring that practitioners assess the appropriateness of delegating tasks based on the medical assistant's scope of practice and associated risks.

Moreover, the bill updates key definitions related to medical assistants and health care practitioners, including the introduction of terms such as "Forensic phlebotomist" and "Order set." It specifies that "Delegation" refers to direct authorization from a licensed health care practitioner to a medical assistant for performing functions within the practitioner's scope of practice. The bill also expands definitions for various types of medical assistants, all of whom must operate under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Notably, it allows for remote supervision during certain procedures, such as blood withdrawal and vaccine administration, provided the practitioner is immediately available. This legislative update aims to streamline medical practices and improve the efficiency and safety of patient care involving medical assistants.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.360.060
Substitute Bill: 18.360.060
Second substitute: 18.360.060