Introduced By: Senators Izzo, Sosnowski and Roberts
Date Introduced : February 4, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 5-54-8 and 5-54-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-54 entitled "Physician Assistants" are hereby amended to read as follows:
5-54-8. Permitted health care practices by physician assistants.
-- (a) Physician assistants practice with physician supervision.
Physician assistants may perform those duties and responsibilities
consistent with the limitations of this section, including prescribing
of drugs and medical devices, that are delegated by their supervising
physician(s). Physician assistants may request, receive, sign
for and distribute professional samples of drugs and medical devices
to patients only within the limitations of this section. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of law, a physician assistant may perform
health care services when those services are rendered under the
supervision of a licensed physician. {DEL A licensed physician
shall supervise no more than two (2) physician assistants at any
one time in practicing settings other than licensed hospitals,
nursing homes or other inpatient health care facilities. DEL}
(b) Physician assistants, depending upon their level of professional training and experience, as determined by a supervising physician, may perform health care services consistent with their expertise and that of the supervising physician, who is a licensed physician in solo practice, in group practice, or in health care facilities.
(c) Physician assistants may write prescriptions and medical orders to the extent provided in this paragraph. When employed by or extended medical staff privileges by a licensed hospital or other licensed health care facility a physician assistant may write medical orders for inpatients as governing delineated by the medical staff bylaws of the facility as well as its credentialling process and applicable governing authority. Physician assistants employed directly by physicians, health maintenance organizations or other health care delivery organizations may prescribe legend medications including schedule {ADD II, III, IV and ADD} V medications under chapter 28 of title 21 of the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act, medical therapies, medical devices and medical diagnostics according to guidelines established by the employing physician, health maintenance organization or other health care delivery organization.
(d) When supervised by a physician licensed under chapter 29 of this title, the service rendered by the physician assistant shall be limited to the foot. The "foot" is defined as the pedal extremity of the human body and its articulations, and shall include the tendons and muscles of the lower leg only as they be involved in conditions of the foot.
(e) Hospitals and other licensed health care facilities shall have discretion to grant privileges to a physician assistant and to define the scope of privileges or services which a physician assistant may deliver in a facility. In no event shall those privileges, if granted, exceed the privileges granted to the supervising physician.
5-54-11. Issuance and annual renewal of certificates of licensure. -- (a) The board shall recommend to the director for registration those individuals who meet the criteria for licensure as set forth in this chapter. Upon that recommendation, the director shall issue a certificate of licensure as a physician assistant.
(b) The certificate of licensure shall expire annually on the
thirtieth day of {DEL September DEL} {ADD June ADD}. On or
before the first day of {DEL August DEL} {ADD March ADD} in
each year, the administrator shall mail an application for renewal
certificate to every person licensed under the provisions of this
chapter, and every person who desires his or her certificate to
be renewed shall file with the division the renewal application
together with a renewal fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) on or before
the first day of {DEL September DEL} {ADD June ADD} in each
year. Upon receipt of the renewal application and payment of fee,
the accuracy of the application shall be verified and the administrator
shall grant a renewal certificate effective {DEL October DEL}
{ADD July ADD} 1st and expiring the following {DEL September DEL}
{ADD June ADD} 30th unless the certificate shall sooner be suspended
for cause as provided in section 5-54-12.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
