§ 3710. Definitions. As used in this article:

1. Specialist assistant. The term "specialist assistant" means a person who is registered pursuant to section sixty-five hundred forty-eight of the education law as a specialist assistant for a particular medical speciality as defined by regulations promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to section thirty-seven hundred eleven of this article.

2. Physician. The term "physician" means a practitioner of medicine licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article one hundred thirty-one of the education law.

3. Hospital. The term "hospital" means an institution or facility possessing a valid operating certificate issued pursuant to article twenty-eight of this chapter and authorized to employ specialist assistants in accordance with rules and regulations of the public health and health planning council.

4. Approved program. The term "approved program" means a program for the education of specialist assistants which has been formally approved by the education department.