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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
medical assistants; training requirements
Purpose
Allows a medical assistant training program that meets specified standards to satisfy prescribed training requirements.
Background
Medical assistants are authorized to perform certain medical procedures under the direct supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Under direct supervision, medical assistants may take body fluid specimens, administer injections or other medical procedures deemed appropriate. Without direct supervision, a medical assistant can perform the following: 1) billing and coding; 2) verifying insurance; 3) making patient appointments; 4) scheduling; 5) recording a doctor's findings in patient charts and transcribing materials in patient charts and records; 6) a visual acuity screening as part of a routine physical; and 7) taking and recording patient vital signs and medical history on medical records (A.R.S. § 32-1456).
Statute requires the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) to prescribe rules for medical assistant training requirements. Current AMB rules require a supervising physician or physician assistant to ensure that a medical assistant completes an approved training program or an unapproved training program and successfully passes the medical assistant examination administered by a certifying organization accredited by either the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American National Standards Institute (A.R.S. § 32-1456; AMB).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows medical assistant training requirements to be satisfied through a training program that:
a) is designed and offered by a physician;
b) meets or exceeds any approved training program requirements specified in rule; and
c) verifies the entry-level competencies of a medical assistant as prescribed by rule.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 1/25/21 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/4/21 59-0-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 1, 2021
CRS/JP/kja