The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Anesthesiologist" means an actively practicing, board-eligible physician licensed under chapter 18.71, 18.71B, or 18.57 RCW who has completed a residency or equivalent training in anesthesiology.
(2) "Anesthesiologist assistant" or "certified anesthesiologist assistant" means a person who has successfully completed an accredited anesthesiologist assistant program approved by the commission and has successfully passed the certification exam offered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA), or other exam approved by the commission. These individuals, who may be known as "AA" or "CAA," are licensed by the commission under chapter 18.71D RCW and this chapter to assist in developing and implementing anesthesia care plans for patients under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or group of anesthesiologists approved by the commission to supervise such assistant.
(3) "Assist" means the anesthesiologist assistant personally performs those duties and responsibilities delegated by the anesthesiologist. Delegated services must be consistent with the delegating anesthesiologist's education, training, experience, and active practice. Delegated services must be of the type that a reasonable and prudent anesthesiologist would find within the scope of sound medical judgment to delegate.
(4) "Commission" means the Washington medical commission.
(5) "Commission approved program" means a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited education program specifically designed for training anesthesiologist assistants or other substantially equivalent organization(s) approved by the commission.
(6) "Practice medicine" has the same meaning defined in RCW 18.71.011.
(7) "Supervise" means the immediate availability of the medically directing anesthesiologist for consultation and direction of the activities of the anesthesiologist assistant. A medically directing anesthesiologist is immediately available if they are in physical proximity that allows the anesthesiologist to reestablish direct contact with the patient to meet medical needs and any urgent or emergent clinical problems, and personally participating in the most demanding procedures of the anesthesia plan including, if applicable, induction and emergence. These responsibilities may also be met through coordination among anesthesiologists of the same group or department. Supervision through remote or telecommunications methods are not permitted under this definition and rule.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.71.017, 18.130.050, 18.71D.020, 18.71D.030, and chapter 18.71D RCW. WSR 25-14-053, s 246-921-005, filed 6/26/25, effective 7/27/25.]