Section 3640.2 - [Effective until 1/1/2027] Naturopathic assistantNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a naturopathic assistant may do all of the following:
(a) Administer medication only by intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections and perform skin tests and additional technical support services upon the specific authorization and supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor. A naturopathic assistant may also perform all these tasks and services in a clinic licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code upon the specific authorization of a naturopathic doctor.(b) Perform venipuncture or skin puncture for the purposes of withdrawing blood upon specific authorization and under the supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor if prior thereto the naturopathic assistant has met the educational and training requirements for medical assistants as established in Section 2070. A copy of any related certificates shall be retained as a record by each employer of the assistant.(c) Perform the following naturopathic technical support services: (1) Administer medications orally, sublingually, topically, vaginally, or rectally, or by providing a single dose to a patient for immediate self-administration. Administer medication by inhalation if the medications are patient-specific and have been or will be repetitively administered to the patient. In every instance, prior to administration of medication by the naturopathic assistant, the naturopathic doctor shall verify the correct medication and dosage.(2) Apply and remove bandages.(3) Collect by noninvasive techniques and preserve specimens for testing, including urine, sputum, semen, and stool.(4) Assist patients to and from a patient examination room or examination table.(5) As authorized by the naturopathic doctor, provide patient information and instructions.(6) Collect and record patient data, including height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure, and basic information about the presenting and previous conditions.(7) Perform simple laboratory and screening tests customarily performed in a medical office.(d) Perform additional naturopathic technical support services under the regulations and standards established by the committee. The committee shall, prior to the adoption of any regulations, request recommendations regarding these standards from appropriate public agencies, including, but not limited to, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the Medical Board of California, the Board of Registered Nursing, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians of the State of California, the Laboratory Field Services division of the State Department of Public Health, and the Physical Therapy Examining Committee. The Naturopathic Medicine Committee shall also request recommendations regarding these standards from associations of medical assistants, physicians, and others, as appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, the California Medical Association, the California Society of Medical Assistants, and the California Medical Assistants' Association. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to supersede or modify that portion of the Administrative Procedure Act that relates to the procedure for the adoption of regulations set forth in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.Ca. Bus. and Prof'l. Code § 3640.2
Added by Stats 2010 ch 523 (SB 1246),s 4, eff. 1/1/2011.