§ 59-519.6. Filing of application to practice - Services performed – Display and inspection of license.

A.  No health care services may be performed by a physician assistant unless a current application to practice, jointly filed by the supervising physician and physician assistant, is on file with and approved by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.  The application shall include a description of the physician's practice, methods of supervising and utilizing the physician assistant, and names of alternate supervising physicians who will supervise the physician assistant in the absence of the primary supervising physician.

B.  The supervising physician need not be physically present nor be specifically consulted before each delegated patient care service is performed by a physician assistant, so long as the supervising physician and physician assistant are or can be easily in contact with one another by radio, telephone or other means of telecommunication.  In all patient care settings, the supervising physician shall provide appropriate methods of supervising the health care services provided by the physician assistant including:

a.being responsible for the formulation or approval of all orders and protocols, whether standing orders, direct orders or any other orders or protocols, which direct the delivery of health care services provided by a physician assistant, and periodically reviewing such orders and protocols,

b.regularly reviewing the health care services provided by the physician assistant and any problems or complications encountered,

c.being available physically or through direct telecommunications for consultation, assistance with medical emergencies or patient referral, and

d.being on-site to provide medical care to patients a minimum of one-half (1/2) day per week.  Additional on-site supervision may be required at the recommendation of the Physician Assistant Committee and approved by the Board; and

e.that it remains clear that the physician assistant is an agent of the supervising physician; but, in no event shall the supervising physician be an employee of the physician assistant.

C.  In patients with newly diagnosed chronic or complex illnesses, the physician assistant shall contact the supervising physician within forty-eight (48) hours of the physician assistant's initial examination or treatment and schedule the patient for appropriate evaluation by the supervising physician as directed by the physician.

D.  1.  A physician assistant under the direction of a supervising physician may prescribe written and oral prescriptions and orders.  The physician assistant may prescribe drugs, including controlled medications in Schedules II through V pursuant to Section 2-312 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and medical supplies and services as delegated by the supervising physician and as approved by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision after consultation with the State Board of Pharmacy on the Physician Assistant Drug Formulary.

2.  A physician assistant may write an order for a Schedule II drug for immediate or ongoing administration on site.  Prescriptions and orders for Schedule II drugs written by a physician assistant must be included on a written protocol determined by the supervising physician and approved by the medical staff committee of the facility or by direct verbal order of the supervising physician.  Physician assistants may not dispense drugs, but may request, receive, and sign for professional samples and may distribute professional samples to patients.

E.  A physician assistant may perform health care services in patient care settings as authorized by the supervising physician.

F.  A physician assistant shall obtain approval from the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision prior to practicing in remote patient care settings.  Such approval requires documented experience in providing a comprehensive range of primary care services, under the direction of a supervising physician, for at least one (1) year prior to practicing in such settings and such other requirement as the Board may require.  The Board is granted the authority to waive this requirement for those applicants possessing equivalent experience and training as recommended by the Committee.

G.  Each physician assistant licensed under the Physician Assistant Act shall keep his or her license available for inspection at the primary place of business and shall, when engaged in professional activities, identify himself or herself as a physician assistant.

Added by Laws 1993, c. 289, § 6, emerg. eff. June 3, 1993.  Amended by Laws 1998, c. 128, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2001, c. 385, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2001.