Scope of practice for a physician assistant specializing in mental health care.

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  • (1)
    • (a) A physician assistant specializing in mental health care under Section 58-70a-501.1 may engage in the practice of mental health therapy consistent with the physician assistant's education, experience, and competence.
    • (b) Section 58-70a-501 applies to a physician assistant specializing in mental health care in addition to this section.
  • (2) A physician assistant specializing in mental health care is responsible for meeting the local standards of care in the provision of services, including mental health therapy and psychopharmacology.
  • (3)
    • (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a physician assistant specializing in mental health care may administer a behavioral health screening instrument.
    • (b) A physician assistant specializing in mental health care may not perform a psychological or neuropsychological assessment or evaluation, including:
      • (i) an intellectual assessment;
      • (ii) a forensic assessment or evaluation; and
      • (iii) administration of a psychological or neuropsychological test or instrument that requires qualification level B or qualification level C under the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing approved as policy by the American Psychological Association.
  • (4)
    • (a) A physician assistant may not administer neurostimulation or neuromodulation.
    • (b) Subsection (4)(a) does not apply to neurostimulation or neuromodulation administered by a physician assistant:
      • (i) in a health care facility; and
      • (ii) under supervision of a physician whose usual scope of practice includes neurostimulation or neuromodulation.
  • (5) As a condition of probation or reinstatement of a license, the division may require that, for a specified duration, a physician assistant specializing in mental health care collaborate with or practice under the supervision of a physician who is board certified in psychiatry.
  • (6) A physician assistant who is in the process of completing the clinical training requirement in Subsection 58-70a-501.1(1)(d), may engage in the practice of mental health therapy if the physician assistant:
    • (a) meets the requirements described in Subsections 58-70a-501.1(1)(a) through (c);
    • (b) engages in the practice of mental health therapy under the supervision of:
      • (i) a mental health therapist who has been trained in and has at least two years of practice experience in psychotherapy; or
      • (ii) a physician who is board certified in psychiatry; and
    • (c) engages in the practice of mental health therapy in accordance with rules made by the division regarding the supervision described in Subsection (6)(b).




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