It is in this state's public interest that limited authority to: (1) Administer skin tests and subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, and intravenous injections; (2) perform minor invasive procedures to withdraw blood; (3) administer vaccines in accordance with RCW 18.135.120; and (4) administer certain drugs, in accordance with RCW 18.135.130 be granted to health care assistants who are not so authorized under existing licensing statutes, subject to such regulations as will ensure the protection of the health and safety of the patient.

[2009 c 43 § 2; 2008 c 58 § 1; 1984 c 281 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- 2009 c 43: "(1) It is the intent of the legislature to enhance the delivery of health care to the citizens of the state.

     (a) For many years health care assistants, certified with the state and supervised by a licensed health care practitioner, have been an integral and often overlooked part of the state's health care delivery system. It is not surprising then that as the demand for health care services has exploded over the past twenty years, so too have the demands on licensed health care practitioners, and in turn those that assist those practitioners.

     (b) In an attempt to manage this skyrocketing demand, a highly complex integrated health delivery system characterized by greater specialization has evolved. Health care assistants, including medical assistants, have responded to these changes by developing greater training and education opportunities through nationally accredited programs. This additional training, when appropriately supervised, can be of great assistance to our licensed health care practitioners.

     (c) It is important for the legislature to look for new ways to harness the training of our health care practitioners, and those that assist them, in order to alleviate the stress on our current health care delivery system. With this in mind, the legislature encourages some minor expansions to the scope of practice of registered health care assistants, so long as there are clearly defined limitations to their scope expressly linked to education, training, and supervision.

     (2) Within the existing resources, the department of health shall conduct a review under chapter 18.120 regarding the regulation and the scope of practice of medical assistants." [2009 c 43 § 1.]