As used in this chapter:

(a) “Board” means the Physician Assistant Board.

(b) “Approved program” means a program for the education of physician assistants that has been formally approved by the board.

(c) “Trainee” means a person who is currently enrolled in an approved program.

(d) “Physician assistant” or “PA” means a person who meets the requirements of this chapter and is licensed by the board.

(e) “Supervising physician” or “supervising physician and surgeon” means a physician and surgeon licensed by the Medical Board of California or by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California who supervises one or more physician assistants, who possesses a current valid license to practice medicine, and who is not currently on disciplinary probation prohibiting the employment or supervision of a physician assistant.

(f) (1) “Supervision” means that a licensed physician and surgeon oversees the activities of, and accepts responsibility for, the medical services rendered by a physician assistant. Supervision, as defined in this subdivision, shall not be construed to require the physical presence of the physician and surgeon, but does require the following:

(A) Adherence to adequate supervision as agreed to in the practice agreement.

(B) The physician and surgeon being available by telephone or other electronic communication method at the time the PA examines the patient.

(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as prohibiting the board from requiring the physical presence of a physician and surgeon as a term or condition of a PA’s reinstatement, probation, or imposing discipline.

(g) “Regulations” means the rules and regulations as set forth in Division 13.8 (commencing with Section 1399.500) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(h) “Routine visual screening” means noninvasive, nonpharmacological simple testing for visual acuity, visual field defects, color blindness, and depth perception.

(i) “Program manager” means the staff manager of the diversion program, as designated by the executive officer of the board. The program manager shall have background experience in dealing with substance abuse issues.

(j) “Organized health care system” includes a licensed clinic as described in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1200) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, an outpatient setting as described in Chapter 1.3 (commencing with Section 1248) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a health facility as described in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a county medical facility as described in Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 1440) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, an accountable care organization, a home health agency, a physician’s office, a professional medical corporation, a medical partnership, a medical foundation, and any other entity that lawfully provides medical services and is in compliance with Article 18 (commencing with Section 2400) of Chapter 5.

(k) “Practice agreement” means the writing, developed through collaboration among one or more physicians and surgeons and one or more physician assistants, that defines the medical services the physician assistant is authorized to perform pursuant to Section 3502 and that grants approval for physicians and surgeons on the staff of an organized health care system to supervise one or more physician assistants in the organized health care system. Any reference to a delegation of services agreement relating to physician assistants in any other law shall have the same meaning as a practice agreement.

(l) “Other specified medical services” means tests or examinations performed or ordered by a PA practicing in compliance with this chapter or regulations of the board or the Medical Board of California promulgated under this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 707, Sec. 2. (SB 697) Effective January 1, 2020.)