Sec. 20-12a. Physician assistants. Definitions.

(1) “Accredited physician assistant program” means a physician assistant program accredited, at the time of the applicant's graduation, by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or such successor organization for the accreditation of physician assistant programs as may be approved by the department.

(2) “Board” means the Connecticut Medical Examining Board, established pursuant to section 20-8a .

(3) “Department” means the Department of Public Health.

(4) “National commission” means the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or a successor organization for the certification or recertification of physician assistants that may be approved by the department.

(5) “Physician assistant” means an individual who: (A) Functions in a collaborative relationship with a physician licensed pursuant to this chapter; and (B) is licensed pursuant to section 20-12b to provide patient services under the supervision, control, responsibility and direction of said physician.

(6) “Supervising physician” means a physician licensed pursuant to this chapter who assumes responsibility for the supervision of services rendered by a physician assistant.

(7) (A) “Supervision” in hospital settings means the exercise by the supervising physician of oversight, control and direction of the services of a physician assistant. Supervision includes but is not limited to: (i) Continuous availability of direct communication either in person or by radio, telephone or telecommunications between the physician assistant and the supervising physician; (ii) active and continuing overview of the physician assistant's activities to ensure that the supervising physician's directions are being implemented and to support the physician assistant in the performance of his or her services; (iii) personal review by the supervising physician of the physician assistant's practice on a regular basis as necessary to ensure quality patient care in accordance with a written delegation agreement, as described in subsection (a) of section 20-12d ; (iv) review of the charts and records of the physician assistant on a regular basis as necessary to ensure quality patient care; (v) delineation of a predetermined plan for emergency situations; and (vi) designation of an alternate licensed physician in the absence of the supervising physician.

(B) “Supervision” in settings other than hospital settings means the exercise by the supervising physician of oversight, control and direction of the services of a physician assistant. Supervision includes, but is not limited to: (i) Continuous availability of direct communication either in person or by radio, telephone or telecommunications between the physician assistant and the supervising physician; (ii) active and continuing overview of the physician assistant's activities to ensure that the supervising physician's directions are being implemented and to support the physician assistant in the performance of his or her services; (iii) personal review by the supervising physician of the physician assistant's services at a facility or practice location where the physician assistant or supervising physician performs services, in accordance with a written delegation agreement, as described in subsection (a) of section 20-12d , to ensure quality patient care; (iv) review of the charts and records of the physician assistant on a regular basis as necessary to ensure quality patient care and written documentation by the supervising physician of such review at the facility or practice location where the physician assistant or supervising physician performs services; (v) delineation of a predetermined plan for emergency situations; and (vi) designation of an alternate licensed physician in the absence of the supervising physician.

Cited. 207 C. 346.