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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
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).
The Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board prescribes treatment procedures that a naturopathic medical assistant may perform under supervision of a doctor of naturopathic medicine. A person who wishes to become a certified naturopathic medical assistant must complete a prescribed application process. In addition, the Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery adopts rules regarding the regulation and qualifications of medical assistants (A.R.S. §§ 32-1559 and 32-1803).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows allelopathic, naturopathic and osteopathic 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;
c) verifies the entry-level competencies of a medical assistant as prescribed by rule; and
d) provides written verification of successful completion of the training program to individuals.
2. Allows a person to use the title medical assistant, or a related abbreviation, upon possession of written verification of successful completion of a prescribed training program.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Allows naturopathic and osteopathic medical assistant training requirements to be satisfied by a prescribed training program.
2. Requires a prescribed medical assistant training program to provide written verification of successful completion and allows a person in possession of written verification to use to the title medical assistant.
House Action Senate Action
HHS 1/25/21 DP 9-0-0-0 HHS 3/3/21 DP 7-0-1
3rd Read 2/4/21 59-0-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
April 5, 2021
CRS/JP/kja