Medical assistants.

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of medicine by the Medical Board of California. The act authorizes a medical assistant to administer medication only by intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections and to perform skin tests and additional technical supportive services upon the specific authorization and supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon, a licensed podiatrist, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. Existing law defines the term "technical supportive services" to mean simple routine medical tasks and procedures that may be safely performed by a medical assistant who has limited training and who functions under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon, a licensed podiatrist, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. This bill would define "technical supportive services" to also include drawing up a local anesthetic provided specified conditions are met.