Sunset Surgical Assistants And Surgical Technologists

The act implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies (department) in its sunset review and report on the surgical assistants and surgical technologists registration program. Specifically, the act:

• Continues the registration of surgical assistants and surgical technologists for 7 years, until 2028;
• Requires a surgical assistant or surgical technologist whose registration is revoked or who has surrendered a registration in lieu of disciplinary action to wait 2 years before reapplying for registration and authorizes the director of the division of professions and occupations within the department (director) to issue letters of admonition and confidential letters of concern to surgical assistants and surgical technologists;
• Allows the director to enter into confidential agreements with surgical assistants or surgical technologists to limit practice based on an illness or other health condition that affects the ability to safely practice the profession; and
• Clarifies that a registrant may be disciplined for failing to notify the director of the limitations created by an illness or other health condition, act within such limitations, or act within the limitations imposed under a confidential agreement with the director to limit practice. The act also adds the following as grounds for discipline:
• Habitual or excessive use or abuse of alcohol, a habit-forming drug, or a controlled substance;
• Failing to notify the director within 30 days of any disciplinary action;
• Failing to respond to a complaint against the registrant in a materially responsive and timely manner within 30 days after receiving the complaint;
• Practicing outside the scope of the practice of a surgical assistant or surgical technologist; and
• Failing to satisfy generally accepted standards of practice as a surgical assistant or surgical technologist.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)