PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT

A physician's assistant is a skilled person qualified by academic and clinical training to provide services to patients under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician or group of physicians who are responsible for his or her performance. ORC § 4730.01 (A)

"Supervision requires the availability of a physician for consultation and direction of the actions of the assistant, but does not necessarily require the personal presence of the supervising physician at the place where services are rendered. The physician's assistant may provide services only to patients of the employing physician or physicians. He may function in any setting within which the employing physician or physicians routinely practice, except that he may not engage in the practice of optometry unless he holds a current, valid certificate of licensure under Chapter 4725 of the Revised Code." ORC § 4730.02 (A)

"A patient new to the physician's practice must be seen and personally evaluated by the employing physician prior to initiation of any treatment plan. An established patient with a new condition must be seen and personally evaluated by the employing physician prior to initiation of any treatment plan for that condition." OAC § 4731-4-01 (A)

"The physician's assistant must be employed by the physician or physicians to whom his certificate of registration is issued..." ORC § 4730.02 (B)

"No physician or physicians shall employ a physician's assistant without prior approval of the State Medical Board." ORC § 4730.02 (C)

"No individual physician shall employ more than two physician's assistants at any one time. No group of physicians shall employ more than the number of assistants that can be adequately supervised by the group, as determined by the Board." ORC § 4730.02 (D)

"The employing physician or physicians assume legal liability for the services provided by the assistant." ORC § 4730.02 (E)

"When the assistant ceases to be employed by the physician or physicians to whom his certificate of registration is issued, his registration is immediately suspended. The physician or physicians shall within two weekdays after the cessation of employment of the assistant, inform the Board of this occurrence, and if the employment was terminated by or at the request of the physician or physicians, the reason for this action will be given. The physician or physicians are not liable for any services provided by the assistant after his employment is terminated, if such services are rendered after his termination." ORC § 4730.02 (F)

(See also under State Medical Board Policy Positions: MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND EXTENDERS)

PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT