Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person employed by a public health department may perform venipuncture or skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood for test purposes, upon specific authorization from a licensed physician and surgeon, even though he or she is not otherwise licensed to withdraw blood; provided that the person meets all of the following requirements:
(1) He or she works under the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon.
(2) He or she has been trained by a licensed physician and surgeon or by a licensed clinical laboratory scientist or bioanalyst in the proper procedures to be employed when withdrawing blood, in accordance with training requirements established by the department, and has a statement signed by the instructing physician and surgeon that the training has been successfully completed.
(b) Any person employed by a public health department to perform venipuncture or skin puncture shall hold a valid and current certification after the effective date of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 1246 of the Business and Professions Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 695, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)