37-20-403. Physician assistant as agent of supervising physician -- degree of supervision required -- scope of practice. (1) A physician assistant is considered the agent of the supervising physician with regard to all duties delegated to the physician assistant and is professionally and legally responsible for the care and treatment of a patient by a physician assistant licensed in accordance with this chapter. A health care provider shall consider the instructions of a physician assistant as being the instructions of the supervising physician as long as the instructions concern the duties delegated to the physician assistant.
     (2) Onsite or direct supervision of a physician assistant by a supervising physician is not required if the supervising physician has provided a means of communication between the supervising physician and the physician assistant or an alternate means of supervision in the event of the supervising physician's absence.
     (3) A physician assistant may diagnose, examine, and treat human conditions, ailments, diseases, injuries, or infirmities, either physical or mental, by any means, method, device, or instrumentality authorized by the supervising physician.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 97, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 74, Ch. 429, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 519, L. 2005.