Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
9.1. A
physician assistant shall have, as a minimum, the knowledge and competency to
perform the following core duties with appropriate physician collaboration:
9.1.1. Screen patients to determine the need
for medical attention;
9.1.2.
Review patient records to determine health status;
9.1.3. Take a patient history;
9.1.4. Perform a physical
examination;
9.1.5. Perform
development screening examinations on children;
9.1.6. Record pertinent patient
data;
9.1.7. Make decisions
regarding data gathering and appropriate management and treatment of patients
being seen for the initial evaluation of a problem or the follow-up evaluation
of a previously diagnosed and stabilized condition;
9.1.8. Prepare patient summaries;
9.1.9. Initiate requests for commonly
performed initial laboratory studies;
9.1.10. Collect specimens for and carry out
commonly performed blood, urine and stool analyses and cultures;
9.1.11. Identify normal and abnormal findings
in patient history and physical examination and in commonly performed
laboratory studies;
9.1.12.
Initiate appropriate evaluation and emergency management for emergency
situations; for example, cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, injuries, burns
and hemorrhage;
9.1.13. Provide
counseling and instruction regarding common patient problems and/or
questions;
9.1.14. Execute
documents at the direction of and for the collaborating physician;
9.1.15. Perform clinical procedures such as,
but not limited to:
9.1.15.a.
Venipuncture;
9.1.15.b.
Electrocardiogram;
9.1.15.c. Care
and suturing of minor lacerations, which may include injection of local
anesthesia;
9.1.15.d. Casting and
splinting;
9.1.15.e. Control of
external hemorrhage;
9.1.15.f.
Application of dressings and bandages;
9.1.15.g. Removal of superficial foreign
bodies;
9.1.15.h. Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation;
9.1.15.i. Audiometry
screening;
9.1.15.j. Visual
screening; and
9.1.15.k. Carry out
aseptic and isolation techniques;
9.1.16. Assist in surgery;
9.1.17. Prepare patient discharge summaries
if the physician assistant has been directly involved in patient care;
and
9.1.18. Assist physicians under
personal collaboration in a manner by which to learn and become proficient in
new procedures.
9.2. In
addition to core duties, a physician assistant may perform medical acts
commensurate with his or her education, training, and experience, which the
physician assistant is competent to perform, and consistent with the rules of
the Board. The physician assistant may only perform medical acts consistent
with sound medical practice and that will protect the health and safety of the
patient.
9.3. A physician assistant
may pronounce death provided that:
9.3.1. The
physician assistant is in compliance with subsection 9.2 of this
rule;
9.3.2. The physician
assistant has a need to do so within his or her scope of practice;
and
9.3.3. That the pronouncement
is in accordance with applicable West Virginia law and rules.
9.4. A physician assistant may
augment the physician's data gathering abilities to assist the collaborating
physician in reaching decisions and instituting care plans for the physician's
patients.
9.5. A physician
assistant may provide an authorized signature, certification, stamp,
verification, affidavit or endorsement on documents within the scope of his or
her practice, including, but not limited to the following:
9.5.1. If permitted by the place of practice,
a physician assistant may sign orders within the scope of his or her practice,
including admission and/or discharge orders for patients personally treated by
the physician assistant;
9.5.2.
Medical certifications for death certificates if the physician assistant has
received training on the completion thereof;
9.5.3. Instruments related to scope and
limitation of treatment, including:
9.5.a.
Physician orders for life sustaining treatment;
9.5.b. Physician orders for scope of
treatment; and
9.5.c. Do not
resuscitate forms and/or orders.
9.5.4. Disability medical evaluations and/or
certifications for persons with disabilities in support of a hunting or fishing
permit;
9.5.5. Utility company
forms or certifications requiring maintenance of utilities regardless of
ability to pay;
9.5.6. Governmental
forms as permitted by law including, but not limited to parking applications
for mobility impaired persons; and
9.5.7. Durable medical equipment.
9.6. A physician assistant may
prescribe, order, administer or dispense medications in accordance with the
provisions of W. Va. Code §
30-3E-3(c) and
this rule.
