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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
medical assistants;
scope of practice (NOW: scope of practice; medical assistants)
Purpose
Allows a medical assistant to place and remove urinary catheters under the general supervision of a physician, physician assistant (PA) nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife.
Background
Statute authorizes medical assistants to perform specified tasks under or outside the direct supervision of a physician, PA or NP. A medical assistant may take body fluid specimens and administer injections under the direct supervision of a doctor, PA or NP. The Arizona Medical Board (Board) may prescribe additional medical procedures that a medical assistant may perform under direct supervision on a determination by the Board that the procedure can be competently performed by a medical assistant. Additionally, medical assistants may perform each of the following without direct supervision: 1) performing billing and coding; 2) verifying insurance; 3) making patient appointments; 4) performing scheduling; 5) recording a doctor's findings in patient charts and transcribing materials in patient charts and records; 6) performing visual acuity screening as part of a routine physical; 7) taking and recording patient vital signs and medical history on medical records; 8) communicating documented medical advice, interpretation of test results and orders from a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner; and 9) obtain, process and communicate medication or procedure prior authorization as documented and ordered by a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner(A.R.S. § 32-1456).
Direct supervision means that a licensed physician, PA or NP is within the same room or office suite as the medical assistant in order to be available for consultation regarding the tasks the medical assistant performs (A.R.S. § 32-1401)
An indwelling urinary catheter is a thin, hollow tube inserted through the urethra into the urinary bladder to collect and drain urine. Once inserted, a balloon is inflated which keeps the catheter in place. An indwelling urinary catheter can be left in place for a period of days to weeks. The catheter is connected to a drainage bag that has a valve that can be opened to release urine as well as a separate port that can be used to collect a urine sample (CDC)
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Authorizes a medical assistant to place and remove urinary catheters, after appropriate training, under the general supervision of a physician, PA, NP, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife.
2. Defines general supervision as a procedure or service provided under the overall direction and control of a physician, PA, NP, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife without the presence of the practitioner required during the performance of the service or procedure.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/3/25 DPA/SE 11-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/20/25 57-1-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2025
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