Code Section

3502.4.  

(a) In order to receive authority from the physician assistant’s supervising physician and surgeon to perform an abortion by aspiration techniques pursuant to Section 2253, a physician assistant shall achieve clinical competency by successfully completing requisite training in performing these procedures. The requisite training shall include a clinical and didactic component and be provided by any of the following:

(1) Training programs approved by the board pursuant to Section 3513.

(2) Training to perform medical services that augment the physician assistant’s current areas of competency pursuant to Section 1399.543 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(3) A course offered by a state or national health care professional or accreditation organization.

(4) Training based on the competency-based training protocols established by the Health Workforce Pilot Project (HWPP) No. 171 through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, now known as the Department of Health Care Access and Information.

(5) Training and evaluation of clinical competency, performed at a clinic or hospital, on performing abortion by aspiration techniques that is provided by any of the following who have performed the procedure themselves:

(A) A physician and surgeon.

(B) A nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife authorized to perform abortion by aspiration techniques pursuant to Section 2725.4.

(C) A physician assistant authorized to perform abortion by aspiration techniques pursuant to this section.

(b) A physician assistant who has completed training and achieved clinical competency, as required by this section, and is functioning pursuant to Section 3502 shall be authorized to perform abortions by aspiration techniques pursuant to Section 2253 without the personal presence of a supervising physician and surgeon unless specified by their practice agreement.

(c) A physician assistant shall practice abortion by aspiration techniques pursuant to Section 2253 consistent with applicable standards of care, within the scope of their clinical and professional education and training, and pursuant to their practice agreement.

(d) It is unprofessional conduct for any physician assistant to perform an abortion by aspiration techniques pursuant to Section 2253 without prior completion of training and validation of clinical competency.

(e) A person authorized to perform abortion by aspiration techniques described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) shall not be punished, held liable for damages in a civil action, or denied any right or privilege for any action relating to the evaluation of clinical competency of a physician assistant pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a).

(f) This section shall not be interpreted to authorize a person with a license or certificate to practice as a physician assistant to perform abortion by aspiration techniques after the first trimester of pregnancy.

(g) For purposes of this section, exclusively online or simulation-based training programs that do not include mandatory clinical hours involving direct patient care shall not meet the clinical training requirements in subdivision (a).