Can medical assistants be supervised by a physician assistant in the absence of a physician and surgeon?
Per Business and Professions Code section 2069 (a)(1), a supervising physician and surgeon at a “community clinic” licensed under Health and Safety Code section 1204(a) may, at his or her discretion, in consultation with the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in the performance of tasks or supportive services. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant in performing these tasks or supportive services may be delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant and that those tasks may be performed when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site.