N.D. Admin. Code 50-03-01-01.1

Current through Supplement No. 394, October, 2024

Section 50-03-01-01.1 - Description and scope of practice of the physician assistant

The physician assistant is a medical professional qualified by academic and clinical training to provide patient services, including the diagnosing of illnesses, developing and managing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and often serving as a patient's principal health care provider in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers.

1. A physician assistant may:

a. Provide a legal medical service for which a physician assistant is prepared by education, training, and experience and is competent to perform, including:

(1) Obtaining and performing a comprehensive health history and physical examination;

(2) Evaluating, diagnosing, managing, and providing medical treatment;

(3) Ordering and evaluating a diagnostic study and therapeutic procedure;

(4) Performing a diagnostic study or therapeutic procedure not involving the use of medical imaging as defined in North Dakota Century Code section 43-62-01 or radiation therapy as defined in North Dakota Century Code section 43-62-01;

(5) Performing limited sonography on a focused imaging target to assess specific and limited information about a patient's medical condition or to provide real-time visual guidance for another procedure;

(6) Educating a patient on health promotion and disease prevention;

(7) Providing consultation upon request; and

(8) Writing a medical order;

b. Obtain informed consent;

c. Supervise, delegate, and assign therapeutic and diagnostic measures not involving the use of medical imaging as defined in North Dakota Century Code section 43-62-01 or radiation therapy as defined in North Dakota Century Code section 43-62-01 to licensed or unlicensed personnel;

d. Certify the health or disability of a patient as required by any local, state, or federal program;

e. Authenticate any document with the signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or endorsement of the physician assistant if the document may be authenticated by the signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or endorsement of a physician; and

f. Pronounce death.

2. A physician assistant:

a. May prescribe, dispense, administer, and procure drugs and medical devices;

b. May plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing nonpharmacological interventions, including durable medical equipment, nutrition, blood and blood products, and diagnostic support services, including home health care, hospice, and physical and occupational therapy;

c. May prescribe and dispense schedule II through V substances as designated by the federal drug enforcement administration and all legend drugs;

d. May not dispense a drug, unless pharmacy services are not reasonably available, dispensing is in the best interest of the patient, or an emergency exists;

e. May request, receive, and sign for a professional sample, and may distribute a professional sample to a patient; and

f. If prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance, shall register with the federal drug enforcement administration and shall comply with appropriate state and federal laws.

N.D. Admin Code 50-03-01-01.1

Adopted by Administrative Rules Supplement 375, January 2020, effective 1/1/2020.

General Authority: NDCC 43-17-02.1

Law Implemented: NDCC 43-17-02.1

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