Scope of practice bill round-up

3 February 2012

The Senate Education and Health Committee voted in favor of a bill to allow physician assistants (PA), who work under the supervision of a radiologist and that have been properly trained, to use fluoroscopy. Before performing fluoroscopy, a PA must successfully complete the exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for PAs. SB 106 was introduced by Sen. John Edwards (D-21st, Roanoke), at the request of the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants. In support of the Medical Society of Virginia’s (MSV) new affiliate members, MSV President Hugh M. Bryan III, M.D., spoke in favor of the bill when it was heard at the subcommittee level. The bill also permits a physician to supervise up to six PAs.

Registered nurses (RN) and PAs will be permitted to declare death in continuing care retirement communities under HB 181. Del. John O’Bannon, M.D. (R-73rd, Henrico) introduced the bill, which has cleared the House of Delegates. RNs and PAs practicing under the supervision of a physician have had the ability to declare death in home health organizations, hospitals, and nursing homes. HB 181 merely adds continuing care retirement communities to the list of facilities in which they can do so.

A bill to license surgical technologists and certify surgical assistants by the Board of Medicine was tabled at the request of the patron in the Senate health licensing subcommittee. Sen. Harry Blevins (R-14th, Chesapeake) introduced SB 313 on behalf of the Association of Surgical Technologists and the Association of Surgical Assistants. It is likely that these groups will pursue licensure and certification in the future.