Chapter 360-5 PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANTS
The purpose of this Chapter is to implement the "Physician
Assistant Act" of 2009, authorizing the Board to adopt rules and perform all
acts necessary, proper or incidental to the efficient development of the
category of health care as established therein.
| (1) |
An applicant for licensure as a physician
assistant must show to the satisfaction of the Board the following:
| (a) |
An affidavit that the applicant is a
United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that
he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and
Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must submit
documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board
participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification
for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for the purpose of verifying citizenship
and immigration status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a
qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality
Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland
Security or other federal immigration agency. |
| (b) |
Good moral character as demonstrated by
two (2) acceptable references from licensed physicians, who are personally
acquainted with the applicant. These may not be completed by the physician(s)
applying for utilization of the physician assistant. |
| (c) |
Evidence of satisfactory completion of a
training program approved by the Board. The Board has approved or will approve
those physician assistant programs of training offered by accredited colleges
or universities, whose graduates are eligible for the examination administered
by either the NCCPA or NCCAA or their successors, and whose curriculum consists
of two or more academic years, including clinical experience in health care
appropriate to the task of a physician assistant. |
| (d) |
Evidence that the applicant has achieved
a passing score on either:
| 1. |
The
certification examination administered by the National Commission for
Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) or its successor, or
|
| 2. |
The certification examination
administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician
Assistants (NCCPA) or its successor. |
|
|
| (2) |
Applications for initial licensure or
licensure thereafter as a physician assistant shall be made upon forms supplied
by the Board. |
| (3) |
The forms must be
completed and submitted by the physician assistant along with a recent
notarized photograph of the applicant and an application fee. No fee is
required if the applicant is an employee of the state or county
government. |
| (4) |
Applications
submitted to the Board must be completed in every detail, unless the response
called for is not applicable to the applicant, and, if so, the response shall
be made in that manner with accompanying explanation. |
| (5) |
All applications for licensure as a
physician assistant must be completed and on file with the Board at least (5)
days prior to its meeting, in order to be considered by the Physician Assistant
Advisory Committee and the Board at the next meeting. |
| (6) |
A completed application for licensure may
be denied for any of the reasons set forth in O.C.G.A. Section
43-34-8. |
| (7) |
The physician assistant must certify that
he or she has received, read, and is familiar with the Medical Practice Act,
Physician Assistant Act and Board rules and regulations by signing the
statement on the application. |
| (8) |
Upon receipt of all required documents, the board shall provide notification of
approval or disapproval of the physician assistant application for
licensure. |
| (9) |
An applicant must
complete all requirements for licensure within one year from the date the Board
receives the application. Otherwise, the applicant must submit a new
application with the required fee. This one year requirement does not include
references, which are valid for only six months. |
| (10) |
Temporary Practice Permits. The Board
may issue a temporary permit to any applicant who has otherwise met the
requirements for Board licensure and who has either applied to take the next
available examination or has already taken the examination and is awaiting the
results thereof, with the following conditions:
| a. |
The applicant must request this permit in
writing. |
| b. |
Unless otherwise
approved by the Board for extenuating circumstances, the permit shall be valid
for a maximum period of ninety (90) days, but shall expire immediately upon
notification of the applicant's failure to achieve a satisfactory score on the
approved certification examination required in
360-5-.02(1)(c). |
|
| (1) |
In order to obtain approval to supervise
a physician assistant, the physician who will be responsible for the
performance of the Physician Assistant shall submit an application to the
Board. The application shall be made upon forms supplied by the Board and must
be approved by the Board before the supervising physician(s) may delegate
health care tasks to the physician assistant.
| (a) |
The board shall have the authority to
approve or deny any primary or alternate supervising physicians. |
|
| (2) |
The supervising physician(s)
must certify that he/she has received, read, and is familiar with the Medical
Practice Act, Physician Assistant Act and Board rules and regulations by
signing the statement on the application. |
| (3) |
The application must include:
| (a) |
The name of the primary supervising
physician. |
| (b) |
Alternate
supervising physicians, as designated by the primary supervising physician, if
applicable.
| 1. |
Unlimited alternate supervising
physicians may be added to the approved list by submission of the appropriate
form signed by the primary supervising physician, and each alternate to the
Board. |
| 2 |
An alternate supervising
physician must have the following relationships with the primary supervising
physician:
| (i) |
a similar scope of practice
and: |
| (ii) |
an affiliation with the
primary supervisory physician's medical practice; or |
| (iii) |
An established formal call
agreement. |
|
|
| (c) |
The name and location of the medical school from which the primary supervising
physician was graduated and the date the degree was received. |
| (d) |
The type of practice in which the
physician assistant is to provide services; |
| (e) |
A Georgia business address for the
practice; |
| (f) |
A current Georgia
medical license number. |
| (g) |
Evidence that the physician assistant is licensed in Georgia; |
| (h) |
A fee as required by the Board. No fee
will be required if the physician assistant will be providing medical services
as an employee of the state or of a county government; and |
| (i) |
A job description meeting the
requirements of law and rules. |
|
| (4) |
Applications submitted to the Board must
be completed in every detail. In order for the Board to complete disposition of
the application, the Board, at its discretion, may request additional
information which shall be submitted in writing by the applicant. |
| (5) |
At the option of the Board, the physician
assistant and the applying supervising physician(s) may be required to appear
before the Board for a personal interview. If the physician assistant has been
out of practice for more than two years, the Board, at its discretion, may
require refresher training, continuing education, periodic reports from primary
supervising physicians, demonstration of more intense physician supervision, or
any other means deemed necessary by the Board to protect the health and safety
of the citizens of Georgia. |
| (6) |
The
primary supervising physician shall at all times maintain on file, readily
available for inspection, documentation from the Board evidencing current
approval for supervision of the physician assistant, current license status of
both parties, and a copy of the applicable approved job description. |
| (7) |
After receipt of required documents, the
board shall provide notification of approval or disapproval of the physician's
application for utilization of a Physician Assistant. |
| (8) |
All applications for Board approval
should be completed and on file with the Board at least fifteen (15) days prior
to the meeting, in order to be considered by the Physician Assistant Advisory
Committee and the Board at the next meeting. |
| (9) |
Upon termination of a physician/physician
assistant relationship, the physician assistant and supervising physician are
required to give notice and date of termination to the board by certified mail
or appropriate verifiable method, and in order to continue practicing, the
physician assistant must submit an application to the Board for a new
supervising physician.
| a. |
An alternate
supervising physician may not assume the primary supervising physician's role
but must submit the appropriate form to the Board and receive its approval
before delegating medical tasks to the physician assistant. Failure to notify
the Board immediately may result in disciplinary action against the physician
assistant and/or the physician(s). Failure to renew the license because of
expiration will not be considered an exception to the requirements of this
paragraph. |
|
| (1) |
The job description is a document signed
and dated by both the primary supervising physician and the physician assistant
whom the physician is seeking to utilize or already has approval to utilize.
| (a) |
The job description shall include a
description of the medical acts to be performed by the physician assistant. For
physician assistants who do not practice as an anesthesiology assistant,
attachment of the Job Description provided by the Board shall be deemed
adequate compliance with this requirement. However, if the physician assistant
is performing an act not covered in the Job Description, then a submission of
these additional acts is necessary and express approval by the Board is
required. The Job Description does not include the delivery of general, spinal
or epidural anesthesia and a physician assistant performing these acts would
require additional training and express Board approval. |
| (b) |
A job description shall not be required
to contain every activity the physician deems the physician assistant qualified
to perform, but shall confine the activities of the physician assistant to
those in the scope of practice of the primary supervising physician. |
|
| (2) |
Physician assistants who have
completed a board approved Anesthesiologist Assistant program and will be
practicing under the supervision of an anesthesiologist shall complete the job
description for the Physician Anesthesiologist Assistant. All other physician
assistants shall complete the General Job Description. |
| (3) |
The job description shall contain a
provision for immediate consultation between the physician assistant and
primary or alternate supervising physician. "Immediate consultation" means that
the supervising physician shall be available for direct communication or by
telephone or other means of telecommunication. |
| (4) |
In the case of an anesthesiologist
assistant delivering general and/or regional anesthesia, the primary or
alternate supervising physician must be immediately available in
person. |
| (5) |
A physician assistant
may only perform those tasks which are included in his/her job description
currently on file with and approved by the Board; provided, however, that tasks
outside the job description may be performed by the physician assistant under
the direct supervision and in the presence of the physician(s) utilizing
him. |
| (6) |
A primary supervising
physician may at any time submit a new or amended physician assistant job
description to the Board. |
| (1) |
No person shall practice as a physician
assistant without a license or temporary permit from the Board, Board approval
of a supervising physician, and Board approval of his/her job
description. |
| (2) |
A physician
employed by the Department of Community Health, an institution thereof or by a
local health department, whose duties are administrative and do not normally
include providing health care to patients, shall not
be authorized to supervise a physician assistant who is employed by these
entities. |
| (3) |
A physician may not
be an employee of the physician assistant who he/she is required to supervise
unless the arrangement was approved by the Board prior to July 1,
2009. |
| (4) |
A physician may serve as
primary supervising physician to only four physician assistants. A physician
may be an alternate supervising physician for any number of physician
assistants. |
| (5) |
A physician may not
supervise more than two physician assistants at any one time except:
| (a) |
When practicing as a member of a group
practice in which other physicians of such group are primary supervising
physicians. In these circumstances, a physician may supervise up to four
physician assistants at any one time, or |
| (b) |
When acting as an alternate supervising
physician, a physician may supervise as many as four physician assistants, who
are working within the scope of practice of the alternate supervisor.
| 1. |
In an institutional setting, such as a
hospital or clinic. |
| 2. |
While on
call for a primary supervising physician or a group practice |
| 3. |
When otherwise approved by the board to
act as an alternate supervising physician. |
|
|
| (6) |
A physician assistant may not perform an
abortion or administer, prescribe or issue a drug order that is intended to
cause an abortion to occur pharmacologically. |
| (7) |
A physician assistant may not be utilized
to perform the duties of a pharmacist licensed under Title 26, Chapter 4 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pharmacists, as now or
hereafter amended. |
| (8) |
A physician
assistant may not issue a written prescription for a Schedule II controlled
substance. Provided, however, this does not preclude:
| (a) |
a physician assistant from preparing such
a prescription for administration of a Schedule II controlled substance for
signature by the primary or alternate supervising physician on the date that
the prescription is issued to the patient. Such prescriptions may not be
pre-signed. |
| (b) |
A physician
assistant from issuing a written or verbal order for a Schedule II controlled
substance within a health care setting. The supervising or an alternate
supervising physician must co-sign such orders in compliance with any
provisions required by the location where the physician assistant is
practicing. |
|
| (9) |
A
physician assistant does not have the authority to sign death certificates or
assign a percentage of a disability rating. |
| (1) |
All physician assistant licenses must be
renewed biennially on the last day of the month in which the licensee's
birthday falls. In order to renew, the licensee must:
| (a) |
Complete the renewal
application; |
| (b) |
Complete the Board
approved continuing education requirements; |
| (c) |
If intending to continue active practice
have a Board approved primary supervising physician and approved job
description, or if seeking an inactive license, meet the applicable
requirements of
360-5-.08; and |
|
| (2) |
Approximately 60 days prior to the
expiration date, the Board may as a courtesy, email a notice for license
renewal to the last email address on file in the Board's records to every
person holding a current license. Failure to receive such notification shall
not relieve the licensee of the obligation to renew and pay the required fee
prior to the expiration date of the license. Deposit of the renewal fee by the
Board does not indicate acceptance of the renewal application or that any
licensing requirements have been fulfilled. |
| (3) |
Failure to renew a license by the
designated expiration date shall result in a penalty fee for late renewal as
determined by the Board. |
| (4) |
Failure to obtain the continuing education required for renewal may result in
the denial of the application for renewal, or renewal of the license under a
consent order with a fine, public or private reprimand and the requirement of
additional continuing education. |
| (5) |
Licenses expired for three months or less
may be late renewed by meeting all the requirements for renewal and paying a
late renewal fee. |
| (6) |
Licenses that
have been expired for longer than 3 months shall be deemed administratively
revoked for failure to renew. Such licensees must apply for reinstatement of
the license. |
| (7) |
Notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph (6) of this rule, any service member as defined in
O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1 whose license to practice
medicine expired while on active duty outside the state shall be permitted to
practice in accordance with the expired license and shall not be charged with a
violation relating to such practice on an expired license for a period of six
(6) months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or
reassignment to a location within the state. Such service member shall be
entitled to renew such expired license without penalty within six (6) months
after the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a
location within this state. The service member must present to the Board a copy
of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the service
member's commanding officer to waive any charges. |
| (8) |
Reinstatement of License
| (a) |
In order to reinstate a license to
practice as a physician assistant, the Board must receive:
| 1. |
A completed application; |
| 2. |
A reinstatement fee as required by the
Board. |
|
| (b) |
Reinstatement
of a license to practice as a physician assistant is within the discretion of
the Board. The physician assistant must be able to demonstrate to the Board's
satisfaction that:
| 1. |
He or she has maintained
current knowledge, skill and proficiency in the health care area related to the
job description as required by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-103; and |
| 2. |
He or she is mentally and physically able
to practice with reasonable skill and safety. |
|
|
| (9) |
A physician assistant whose license has
expired may neither practice nor represent himself as a physician assistant
until such time that the Board has approved his application for renewal or
reinstatement. |
| (10) |
All applicants
must provide an affidavit and a secure and verifiable document in accordance
with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(f). If the applicant has previously provided a secure and
verifiable document and affidavit of United States citizenship, no additional
documentation of citizenship is required for renewal. If the applicant for
renewal is not a United States citizen, he/she must submit documentation that
will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in the
DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE")
program for purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information
of non-U.S. citizens. If the applicant for renewal is a qualified alien or
non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must
provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other
federal agency. |
| (1) |
Physician assistants licensed to practice
pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-34-103 shall complete Board approved continuing medical
education of not less than forty (40) hours biennially. Effective with the
2009-2010 biennium, at least ten (10) hours shall be directly related to the
specialty of the Board approved primary supervising physician. Physician
assistants who are authorized to issue prescription drug orders shall be
required as a part of the number of hours of continuing education required
herein, to complete a minimum of three (3) hours in practice specific
pharmaceuticals in which the physician assistant has prescription order
privileges.
| (a) |
Physician assistants who are
initially licensed by the Board and who have not renewed their license for the
first time shall not be required to complete the 40 hours of continuing
education during their first renewal, but physician assistants who have to
issue prescriptive drug orders shall be required to complete the 3 hours of
continuing education in practice specific pharmaceuticals in which the
physician assistant has prescription order privileges. |
| (b) |
Physician assistants whose licenses are
not active, such as those who are inactive or revoked are not required to
complete the continuing education until such time as they are seeking
reactivation or reinstatement. |
| (c) |
Except for the three hours of continuing education relating to pharmaceuticals,
the Board is authorized to waive the continuing education required for renewal
in cases of hardship, disability, illness, service in the United States
Congress or Georgia General Assembly, military service or other circumstances
as the Board deems appropriate if supported by adequate documentation
acceptable to the Board.
| 1. |
Physician
assistants seeking such an exemption must submit a written request and
documentation to support their eligibility for such an exemption. |
| 2. |
Said request for an exemption shall be
submitted to the Board not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the
license to receive a determination from the Board as to whether an exemption
would be granted. |
|
|
| (2) |
The Board accepts the A.M.A. (American
Medical Association) Category 1, the A.O.A. (American Osteopathic Association)
Category 1, A.A.A.A. (American Academy of Anesthesiologist's Assistants)
Category 1, AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) Category I, and the
A.A.P.A. (American Academy of Physician Assistants) Category 1 credit as
meeting its requirement for Board approval. It is the responsibility of the
physician assistant to verify approval with the source of the program, not with
the Board, and the physician assistant shall verify approval before taking the
course. |
| (3) |
Each licensed physician
assistant must maintain records of attendance and supporting documents for
continuing education for a period of 5 years from the date of attendance. At a
minimum, the following must be kept:
| (c) |
Evidence of A.M.A.
Category 1 credit; A.O.A. Category 1 credit; A.A.P.A, AAFP, Category 1 credit;
or A.A.A.A. Category 1 credit. |
|
| (4) |
The Board will audit a fixed percentage
of randomly selected renewal applications to monitor compliance with the
continuing education requirements. Any licensee so audited shall be required to
furnish documentation of compliance as provided in paragraph (4) of this rule.
Any licensee so audited who has been found to be out of compliance with the
Board's continuing requirements may be subject to disciplinary
action. |
| (5) |
If the licensee has not
complied with the continuing education requirement by the expiration of the
license, his/her license shall not be renewed and the licensee shall not
practice as a physician assistant. A licensee may late renew during the three
(3) months following the expiration date of his or her license by presenting
satisfactory evidence to the Board of completion of the requisite number of
hours of Board approved continuing education and the late renewal fee. Licenses
that are not renewed within three (3) months following the expiration date of
the license shall be revoked for failure to renew. In order to obtain a valid
license after revocation for failure to renew, an applicant must apply for
reinstatement. |
| (6) |
Continuing
education hours that are used to satisfy a deficiency for the previous biennial
renewal may not be used for purposes of renewal for the next
biennium. |
| (1) |
A person who wishes to maintain his or her physician assistant license, but who
does not intend to practice as a physician assistant may apply to the Board for
inactive status by submitting an application and the fee as determined by the
Board. An individual with an inactive license may not practice as a physician
assistant in this State. |
| (2) |
In
order to reactivate a license to practice as a physician assistant, the Board
must receive a completed application from the licensee with evidence of 40
hours of continuing education obtained within the previous two years, and a
reactivation fee. The physician assistant must be able to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Board that he or she has maintained current knowledge,
skill and proficiency in the medical arts as required by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-103 and that he or she is
mentally and physically able to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
| (a) |
Provided however prior to performing
medical tasks, the licensee must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board
that the completed continuing education required in the above paragraph is
pertinent to the job description under which he/she will practice, as required
in Continuing Education Requirements 360-05-.07. |
|
| (3) |
Once the license has been reactivated,
the physician assistant may not practice until he/she has on file a completed
job description with a primary supervising physician as provided in Rules
360-5-.03 and
360-5-.04. In addition, the physician
assistant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she has
sufficient recent continuing education or training pertinent to the job
description under which he/she will practice. |
| (1) |
Definitions
| (a) |
"Good standing" shall mean that the
person has no disciplinary action taken against him or her by any state within
the previous seven (7) years and has not let his/her license in any state
expire or become inactive during an investigation by a state medical board into
allegations relating to his/her practice as a physician assistant or during a
pending disciplinary action. |
| (b) |
"Georgia Board - Approved Supervisory Arrangement" means when a supervising
physician and a physician assistant are working under a basic job description
previously submitted to and approved by the Board. |
|
| (2) |
Temporary Practice Agreement. A physician
and a physician's assistant may enter into a temporary practice agreement where
the physician supervises the services provided by the physician assistant to
patients at a specific facility or program operated by an organization exempt
from federal taxes pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal
Revenue Code, provided that:
| (a) |
Such
services are provided in the State of Georgia; |
| (b) |
Such services are provided primarily to
financially disadvantaged patients; |
| (c) |
Such services are free or at a charge to
the patient based solely on the patient's ability to pay and provided, further,
that such charges do not exceed the actual cost to the facility or program;
and |
| (d) |
Both supervising physician
and the physician assistant voluntarily and gratuitously donate their
services; |
|
| (3) |
Requirements for the Temporary Practice Agreement.
| (a) |
The temporary practice agreement must be
for a specified period of time; |
| (b) |
The physician assistant services must be within the usual scope of practice of
the supervising physician; |
| (c) |
The
physician assistant and the supervising physician must be in good standing with
the Board; |
| (d) |
The temporary
practice agreement must be signed by both the supervising physician and the
physician assistant; |
| (e) |
Prior to
providing any patient services a copy of the signed temporary practice
agreement must be on file at the facility or program and a copy of the
agreement must have been sent to the Board; and |
| (f) |
The facility or program must notify the
Board of its intent to provide patient services and utilize licensed physicians
and physician assistants under the conditions set out in this
subsection. |
|
| (4) |
Limitations. This rule does not apply to physicians and physician assistants
who are in a Georgia board-approved supervisory arrangement nor preclude
physician assistants from practicing under the Georgia Volunteers in Health
Care Specialties Act as delineated in OCGA Section
43-1-28. |
In a state of an emergency or a public health emergency, a
physician assistant may provide medical care with such supervision as is
available at the immediate or local scene where a need for medical care exists
or at a relief site established as part of a state or local safety plan
pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 38. Provided:
| (a) |
The physician assistant must hold a
license, certification or authorization in good standing from any state or
federal jurisdiction. |
| (b) |
Services
shall be provided in response to an appropriate state or local official who is
implementing a state or local emergency management plan or program. |
| (c) |
The to practice under such guidelines
shall not last longer than 48 hours, unless the Board establishes further
supervision guidelines for physician assistants providing care under these
circumstances. |
| (1) |
A licensed physician assistant is
authorized to practice in those public or private places or facilities where
the primary or alternate supervising physician regularly sees
patients. |
| (2) |
The physician
assistant is not required to be in the presence of the physician to provide
medical services, including the evaluation and treatment of new or established
patients. |
| (3) |
A physician assistant
may make house calls, nursing home visits, perform hospital duties, serve as an
ambulance attendant or perform other functions he is qualified to
perform. |
| (4) |
The physician
assistant may issue a prescription drug order, and/or order and initiate
medical treatment or diagnostic studies in any health care setting, as
authorized by his or her supervising physician. |
| (5) |
Any physician, clinic or hospital
utilizing physician assistants must post a notice to that effect in a prominent
place. |
| (6) |
While engaged in medical
practice, a physician assistant must clearly identify himself as such. He/she
must also wear a clearly legible identification name tag with the words
"Physician Assistant" on it. A Physician Assistant is to be addressed as Mr.,
Mrs., Ms., or Miss. |
| (7) |
A physician
who has been approved for supervision of a physician assistant is responsible
for medical acts performed by that physician assistant. |
| (8) |
A physician assistant may pronounce death
and certify such pronouncement in the same manner as a physician if he is
delegated this by his supervising physician. |
| (1) |
If authorized by his/her job description,
a physician assistant may issue a prescription drug order for any medical
device as defined by Code Section
26-4-5, any dangerous drug as
defined in Code Section
16-13-71 or any Schedule III, IV,
or V controlled substance as defined in Code Section
16-13-21. |
| (2) |
Any physician assistant who has been
authorized to issue a prescription drug order for controlled substances must
register with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"). |
| (3) |
A prescription drug or device order form
issued by an authorized physician assistant shall, at a minimum, contain the
name, address and telephone number of the primary or alternate supervising
physician, the patient's name and address, the drug or device ordered, the
directions to the patient for taking the medication, the dosage, the number of
refills allowed, the name and DEA number (if applicable) of the physician
assistant, and the signature of the physician assistant. |
| (4) |
The prescription drug order may be
transmitted orally, by telephone, on paper, electronically or via facsimile.
Any electronic prescription drug order must comply with the provision of
O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 13 and Title 26, Chapter 4. A record of the
prescription must be maintained in the patient's medical record. |
| (5) |
A physician assistant may authorize
refills of any drug or device for up to 12 months from the date of the original
prescription unless otherwise provided by law. Scheduled III, IV or V
controlled substances may not be refilled more than six months from date of
original prescription. |
| (6) |
The
physician assistant or office staff shall notify the patient that he has the
right to see the physician prior to receiving a prescription drug or device
order. Prominent signage in the office may serve this purpose. |
| (7) |
The primary or alternate supervising
physician shall evaluate or examine patients receiving controlled substances at
least every three months. |
| (8) |
Except in facilities operated by the Division of Public Health of the
Department of Community Health, the primary or alternate supervising physician
shall review the physician assistant's prescription drug or device orders and
corresponding medical record entries within 30 days. This review may be
achieved with a sampling of no less than 50 percent of the prescription drug or
device orders and/or corresponding medical record entries. |
| (9) |
If authorized by the job description, a
physician assistant may request, receive, sign for and distribute professional
samples. Professional samples means complimentary doses of a drug, medication
vouchers or medical devices provided by the manufacturer for use in patient
care. If the professional samples are controlled substances, the physician
assistant must also be registered with the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration.
| (a) |
The office where the
physician assistant practices must maintain a general list of all professional
samples that the supervising physician has approved the physician assistant to
request, receive, sign for and distribute. Such samples must be consistent with
the specialty of the supervising physician. |
| (b) |
A complete list of the specific drugs or
devices provided to a patient by a physician assistant must be noted in the
patient's medical record. |
|
| (1) |
When the Board finds that any person is
unqualified to be granted a license or to have a license renewed, the Board may
refuse to grant the license. |
| (2) |
The Board may impose on a physician assistant any disciplinary action
authorized by O.C.G.A. Sections
43-34-8,
43-34-103,
43-34-107, and O.C.G.A. Section
16-13-111, or otherwise authorized
by law for any of the reasons set forth by law. In addition, the Board may
terminate the approval of a physician's utilization of a physician assistant
provided in O.C.G.A. Section 3-34-107. |
| (3) |
In addition, the following may be
considered by the Board as unprofessional conduct of the physician assistant:
| (a) |
Performing duties on a routine basis by
the physician assistant, without appropriate supervision by a physician
approved by the Board; |
| (b) |
Routinely performing duties that are not within the scope of practice of the
supervising physician. |
| (c) |
Issuing
pre-signed prescriptions or prescriptions signed in blank or using pre-signed
prescriptions; |
| (d) |
Signing a
physician's signature on a prescription form by a physician
assistant; |
| (e) |
Failing to notify
the Board within 30 days of becoming unable to perform duties or provide
patient services with reasonable skill and safety by reason of illness or the
use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals or any other type of
material; |
| (f) |
Holding himself or
herself out or permitting another to represent him or her as a licensed
physician; |
| (g) |
Being convicted in
any court, state or federal, of any felony or other criminal offense involving
moral turpitude; |
| (h) |
Failing to
notify the Board of the termination of a physician/physician assistant
relationship; |
| (i) |
Failing to
maintain appropriate patient records; or |
| (j) |
Failing to document professional samples
that are distributed to a patient in the patient's medical record. |
|
