§ 58-70a-501.2 — Scope of practice for a physician assistant specializing in mental health care.

Utah § 58-70a-501.2

• Jurisdiction: Utah
• Title 58: Occupations and Professions
• Ch. 58-70a: Utah Physician Assistant Act
• Part 58-70a-5: Scope of Practice - Unlawful and Unprofessional Conduct - Penalties

Text

(1) (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.
(1)(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) (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a physician assistant specializing in mental health care may administer a behavioral health screening instrument.
(3)(b) A physician assistant specializing in mental health care may not perform a psychological or neuropsychological assessment or evaluation, including:
(3)(b)(i) an intellectual assessment;
(3)(b)(ii) a forensic assessment or evaluation; and
(3)(b)(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) (4)(a) A physician assistant may not administer neurostimulation or neuromodulation.
(4)(b) Subsection (4)(a) does not apply to neurostimulation or neuromodulation administered by a physician assistant:
(4)(b)(i) in a health care facility; and
(4)(b)(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:

(6)(a) meets the requirements described in Subsections 58-70a-501.1(1)(a) through (c);
(6)(b) engages in the practice of mental health therapy under the supervision of:
(6)(b)(i) a mental health therapist who has been trained in and has at least two years of practice experience in psychotherapy; or
(6)(b)(ii) a physician who is board certified in psychiatry; and
(6)(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).

Legislative History

Enacted by Chapter 313, 2021 General Session