1. (a) The Department shall recruit, train, evaluate, and integrate Advanced Practice Provider (APP) staff into the Department's Medical Services Program.
2. (b) APP staff may diagnose, treat, perform minor procedures, and provide primary care services to patients designated as low to moderate risk and those patients with common primary care conditions. APP staff may also provide primary care services to patients designated as high risk, but they must document co-management of these patients with a physician.
3. (c) In circumstances when medically necessary for the preservation of life and limb, APP staff shall provide emergency health care services in accordance with their training and experience.

4. (d) The hiring authority shall obtain verification of credentials from the headquarters Credentialing and Privileging Support Unit (CPSU) prior to making a formal job offer to an APP applicant.

   1. (1) APP staff hired by the Department (civil service and contract employees) shall comply with the minimum professional requirements for credentialing and privileging approval.

   2. (2) For Physician Assistant (PA) staff only, additional qualifications include proof of completion of an approved controlled substance education course. A certificate of completion shall be retained at the hiring institution for the duration of employment. An electronic copy of the certificate shall be submitted to the headquarters CPSU for retention in the credentialing file.

      1. (A) PA staff who successfully complete a controlled substance education course are authorized to write medication orders for Schedule II through V controlled substances without prior approval from a physician.
   3. (3) APP staff who treat Substance Use Disorder patients are required to obtain a Drug Abuse Treatment Act Medication-Assisted Treatment waiver from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Note: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Section 5054, Penal Code; Sections 2725(b), 2836.1, 2836.2, 2836.3 and 3500-3546, Business and Professions Code; and Plata v. Newsom (No. C01-1351 JST), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

History

1. New section filed 7-1-2019 as an emergency; operative 7-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 27). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-9-2019 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. New section refiled 12-5-2019 as an emergency; operative 12-10-2019 (Register 2019, No. 49). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-9-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

3. New section refiled 3-9-2020 as an emergency; operative 3-10-2020 (Register 2020, No. 11). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-8-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

4. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-9-2020 order transmitted to OAL 6-8-2020 and filed 7-20-2020 (Register 2020, No. 30).

5. Amendment of subsections (a) and (c) and new subsection (d) filed 5-22-2023; operative 7-1-2023 (Register 2023, No. 21).