The bill amends existing laws regarding the duties and responsibilities of certified medical assistants in Washington State. It introduces new provisions that allow medical assistant-certified individuals to enter and approve orders for health care services, provided they follow specific guidelines set by a supervising health care practitioner. This includes receiving explicit instructions, ensuring the order is reviewed and countersigned by the practitioner within a specified timeframe, and completing required training on order-entry systems. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the entry and approval of orders by medical assistants do not require the exercise of clinical judgment.

Furthermore, the bill reenacts and amends existing regulations that outline the various tasks that medical assistants can perform under supervision, including clinical procedures, specimen collection, and patient care. Notably, it includes provisions for administering medications and performing diagnostic tests, while also establishing limitations on the types of drugs that can be administered. The bill emphasizes the importance of training and compliance with regulatory requirements to ensure patient safety and effective delegation of tasks by health care practitioners.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.360.060