Arizona Laws 32-1456. Medical assistants; allowable tasks; training; use of title; violation; classification
A. A medical assistant may perform the following medical procedures under the direct supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner:
Attorney's Note
Under the Arizona Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 misdemeanor | up to 30 days | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 32-1456
- Board: means the Arizona medical board. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
- Direct supervision: means that a physician, physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 25 of this title or nurse practitioner certified pursuant to chapter 15 of this title is within the same room or office suite as the medical assistant in order to be available for consultation regarding those tasks the medical assistant performs pursuant to section 32-1456. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
- Doctor of medicine: means a natural person holding a license, registration or permit to practice medicine pursuant to this chapter. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
- Medical assistant: means an unlicensed person who meets the requirements of section 32-1456, has completed an education program approved by the board, assists in a medical practice under the supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner and performs delegated procedures commensurate with the medical assistant's education and training but does not diagnose, interpret, design or modify established treatment programs or perform any functions that would violate any statute applicable to the practice of medicine. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
- Medicine: means allopathic medicine as practiced by the recipient of a degree of doctor of medicine. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
- Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
- Physician: means a doctor of medicine who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. See Arizona Laws 32-1401
1. Take body fluid specimens.
2. Administer injections.
B. The board by rule may prescribe other medical procedures that a medical assistant may perform under the direct supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner on a determination by the board that the procedures may be competently performed by a medical assistant.
C. Without the direct supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, a medical assistant may do the following tasks:
1. Perform billing and coding.
2. Verify insurance.
3. Make patient appointments.
4. Perform scheduling.
5. Record a doctor’s findings in patient charts and transcribe materials in patient charts and records.
6. Perform visual acuity screening as part of a routine physical.
7. Take and record patient vital signs and medical history on medical records.
D. The board by rule shall prescribe medical assistant training requirements. The training requirements for a medical assistant may be satisfied through a training program that meets all of the following:
1. Is designed and offered by a physician.
2. Meets or exceeds any of the approved training program requirements specified in rule.
3. Verifies the entry-level competencies of a medical assistant as prescribed by rule.
4. Provides written verification to the individual of successful completion of the training program.
E. A person who uses the title medical assistant or a related abbreviation is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor unless that person is working as a medical assistant under the direct supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner or possesses written verification of successful completion of a training program provided pursuant to subsection D of this section.