The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Commission" means the Washington medical commission.

(2) "Department" means the department of health.

(3) "Physician" means a physician licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.

(4) "Physician assistant" means a person who is licensed by the commission to practice medicine according to a practice agreement with one or more participating physicians, with at least one of the physicians working in a supervisory capacity, and who is academically and clinically prepared to provide health care services and perform diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative, and health maintenance services.

(5) "Practice agreement" means an agreement entered under RCW 18.71A.120.

(6) "Practice medicine" has the meaning defined in RCW 18.71.011 and also includes the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery as defined in RCW 18.57.001.

(7) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

Effective date—2020 c 80 ss 1-10 and 60: "Sections 1 through 10 and 60 of this act take effect July 1, 2021." [ 2020 c 80 s 61.]

Intent—2020 c 80: "The legislature intends to modernize the practice of physician assistants in order to increase access to care, reduce barriers to employment of physician assistants, and optimize the manner in which physician assistants deliver quality medical care." [ 2020 c 80 s 1.]

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 30: "If any provision of this 1971 act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1971 ex.s. c 30 s 13.]

Washington medical commission: Chapter 18.71 RCW.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Collaboration" means how physician assistants shall interact with, consult with, or refer to a physician or other appropriate member or members of the health care team as indicated by the patient's condition, the education, experience, and competencies of the physician assistant, and the standard of care. The degree of collaboration must be determined by the practice, which may include decisions made by the physician assistant's employer, group, hospital service, and credentialing and privileging systems of licensed facilities.

(2) "Collaboration agreement" means a written agreement that describes the manner in which the physician assistant is supervised by or collaborates with at least one physician and that is signed by the physician assistant and one or more physicians or the physician assistant's employer.

(3) "Commission" means the Washington medical commission.

(4) "Department" means the department of health.

(5) "Employer" means the scope appropriate clinician, such as a medical director, who is authorized to enter into the collaboration agreement with a physician assistant on behalf of the facility, group, clinic, or other organization that employs the physician assistant.

(6) "Participating physician" means a physician that supervises or collaborates with a physician assistant pursuant to a collaboration agreement.

(7) "Physician" means a physician licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.

(8) "Physician assistant" means a person who is licensed by the commission to practice medicine according to a collaboration agreement with one or more participating physicians and who is academically and clinically prepared to provide health care services and perform diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative, and health maintenance services.

(9) "Practice medicine" has the meaning defined in RCW 18.71.011 and also includes the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery as defined in RCW 18.57.001.

(10) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

Effective date—2024 c 62 ss 1-8, 10-18, 20-26, 28, and 30-32: "Sections 1 through 8, 10 through 18, 20 through 26, 28, and 30 through 32 of this act take effect January 1, 2025." [ 2024 c 62 s 33.]

Intent—2024 c 62: See note following RCW 18.71A.020.

Effective date—2020 c 80 ss 1-10 and 60: "Sections 1 through 10 and 60 of this act take effect July 1, 2021." [ 2020 c 80 s 61.]

Intent—2020 c 80: "The legislature intends to modernize the practice of physician assistants in order to increase access to care, reduce barriers to employment of physician assistants, and optimize the manner in which physician assistants deliver quality medical care." [ 2020 c 80 s 1.]

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

Severability—1971 ex.s. c 30: "If any provision of this 1971 act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1971 ex.s. c 30 s 13.]

Washington medical commission: Chapter 18.71 RCW.