REGULATION OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN NEW YORK

APPENDIX III of Cohen MH , A Fixed Star in Health Care Reform: The Emerging Paradigm of Holistic Healing. Ariz. St. L.J. 27:79 (1995).

COPYRIGHT: ARIZONA STATE LAW JOURNAL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION.

Definitions Compiled from New York State Statutes.



Physician Assistant:

May perform medical services only when under the supervision of a physician and only when such acts and duties as are assigned to him are within the scope of practice of such supervising physician. (STATUTE 6542(1)). Supervision does not require physical presence. (STATUTE 6542(3)).544


Specialist Assistant:

May perform medical services only when under the supervision of a physician and only when such acts and duties as are assigned to him are related to the designated medical specialty for which he is registered and are within the scope of practice of his supervising physician. (STATUTE 6542(2)).


Chiropractor:

Authorized to detect and correct by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve interference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the vertebral column. (STATUTE 6551(1)). Not permitted to use radio-therapy, fluoroscopy, or any form of ionizing radiation except x-ray which shall be used for the detection of structural imbalance, distortion or subluxations in the human body. (STATUTE 6551(2)(a)). Not permitted to treat for any infectious diseases such as pneumonia, any communicable diseases, any cardiovascular-renal or cardio-pulmonary diseases, any surgical condition of the abdomen, or any benign or malignant neoplasms; cannot operate; reduce fractures or dislocations; prescribe, administer, dispense or use drugs or medicines in his practice; to use methods involving chemical or biological means (unless performed by a clinical lab approved by the Board); or to utilize electrical devices (except those approved by the Board). (STATUTE 6551(3)). Authorized to use nutritional counseling, including the dispensing of food concentrates, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements approved by the Board, provided that the doctoral program contained courses of study in nutrition. (STATUTE 6551(3)).


Dentist:

Authorized to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any disease, pain, injury, deficiency, deformity or physical condition of the human mouth, including teeth, alveolar process, gums or jaws, and adjacent tissues. (STATUTE 6601). Authorized to furnish, supply, construct, reproduce or repair prosthetic dentures, bridges, appliances or other structures to be used and worn as substitutes for natural teeth, or in the treatment of abnormal conditions of the teeth or jaws or adjacent tissues. (STATUTE 6601). Authorized to place such devices in the mouth or adjust the same. (STATUTE 6601). May perform physical evaluations in conjunction with the provision of dental treatment. (STATUTE 6601). Cannot employ general anesthesia or parenteral sedation at any location other than a general hospital without a dental anesthesia certificate. (STATUTE 6605-a(1)).


Dental Hygienist:

Authorized to remove calcareous deposits, accretions and stains from the exposed surfaces of teeth; apply topical agents indicated for a complete dental prophylaxis; remove cement; place or remove rubber dam; remove sutures; place matrix band; provide patient education; apply topical medication; place and expose x-ray films; perform topical fluoride applica tions and topical anesthetic applications; polish teeth; take medical history; chart caries; take impressions for study casts; place and remove temporary restorations (must be done under supervision of licensed dentist). (STATUTE 6606(1)).


Veterinarian:

Authorized to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any animal disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition. (STATUTE 6701).


Veterinary Technician:

Authorized to perform such duties as are required in carrying out medical orders as prescribed by a licensed veterinarian requiring an understanding of veterinary science. (STATUTE 6708(1)).


Physical Therapist:

Authorized to evaluate, treat or prevent disability, injury, disease or other condition of health using physical, chemical and mechanical means including, but not limited to heat, cold, light, air, water, sound, electricity, massage, mobilization and therapeutic exercise. (STATUTE 6731(a)). Authorized to perform and interpret tests and measurements to assess pathophysiological, pathomechanical, and developmental deficits of human systems to determine treatment, and assist in diagnosis and prognosis. (STATUTE 6731(a)). (Treatment must be rendered pursuant to a referral by a licensed physician, dentist, podiatrist or nurse practitioner.) (STATUTE 6731(c)). Cannot use roentgen rays or radium, or use electricity for surgical purposes such as cauterization. (STATUTE 6731(b)).


Physical Therapist Assistant:

Authorized to perform such patient-related activities as are assigned by the supervising physical therapist. Cannot evaluate, test, interpret, plan or modify patient programs. (STATUTE 6738(a)).


Pharmacist:

Authorized to prepare, compound, preserve, or dispense drugs, medicines and therapeutic devices on the basis of prescriptions or other legal authority. (STATUTE 6801).


Registered Professional Nurse:

Authorized to diagnose and treat human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as casefinding, health teaching, health counseling and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; execute medical regimens prescribed by a licensed physician, dentist or other health care provider. (STATUTE 6902(2)). Cannot practice medicine or dentistry. (STATUTE 6909(2)).


Licensed Practical Nurse:

Authorized to perform tasks and responsibilities within the framework of casefinding, health teaching, health counseling and provision of supportive and restorative care under the direction of a registered professional nurse or licensed physician, dentist or other licensed health care provider. (STATUTE 6902(2)). Cannot practice medicine or dentistry. (STATUTE 6909(2)).


Nurse Practitioner:

Authorized to practice registered professional nursing, which may include the diagnosis of illness and physical conditions and the performance of therapeutic and corrective measures within a specialty area of practice, in collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to collaborate in the specialty involved. (STATUTE 6902(3)(a)). (Services must be performed in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols). (STATUTE 6902(3)(a)). After successfully completing the appropriate program, may issue prescriptions for drugs, devices and immunizing agents in accordance with the practice agreement and practice protocols. (STATUTE 6902(3)(b)).


Midwife:

Authorized to manage normal pregnancies, child birth and postpartum care as well as primary preventive reproductive health care of essentially healthy women; includes newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants. (STATUTE 6951(1)). Must practice in accordance with a written agreement between the midwife and a liscenced physician or hospital. (STATUTE 6951(1)). Authorized to prescribe and administer drugs, immunizing agents, diagnostic tests and devices, and to order laboratory tests (limited to the practice of midwifery and subject to the limitations in the written agreement). (STATUTE 6951). Must complete a program first. (STATUTE 6951(2)).


Podiatrist:

Authorized to diagnose, treat, operate and prescribe for any disease, injury, deformity or other condition of the foot or operate on the bones, muscles or tendons of the feet for the correction of minor deficiencies and deformities of a mechanical and functional nature. (STATUTE 7001). Can treat simple and uncomplicated fractures of the bones of the foot; administer only local anesthetics for therapeutic purposes as well as for anesthesia; treat under general anesthesia administered by authorized persons; use non-narcotic postoperative sedatives. (STATUTE 7001). Cannot treat any other part of the human body nor treat fractures of the malleoli or cutting operations upon the malleoli. (STATUTE 7001). Can administer or prescribe narcotics if certified by New York education department. (STATUTE 7001).


Optometrist:

Authorized to diagnose any optical deficiency, optical deformity, visual anomaly or muscular anomaly of the human eye; aid or correct such deficiency, deformity, or anomaly by prescribing, providing, adapting or fitting lenses, or by prescribing or providing orthoptics or vision training. (STATUTE 7101(1)). Use of drugs is limited to topical application to the surface of the eye and diagnostic examination of the eye. (STATUTE 7101(1)). (Optometrist must first be approved and certified by the education department.) (STATUTE 7101).


Ophthalmic Dispenser or Optician:

Authorized to adapt and fit lenses for the correction of deficiencies, deformities or anomalies of the human eyes, on written prescriptions from a licensed physician or optometrist. (STATUTE 7121). Can replace or duplicate such lenses without prescription. (STATUTE 7121). Can fit contact lenses only under personal supervision of a licensed physician or optometrist. (STATUTE 7121).


Psychologist:

Statute does not define what a psychologist is authorized to do once licensed. (STATUTE 7601).


Certified Social Worker:

Authorized to engage in social casework, social group work, community organization, administration of a social work program, social work education, social work research, or any combination of these in accordance with social work principles and methods. (STATUTE 7701). Purpose is to help individuals, families, groups and communities to prevent or to resolve problems caused by social or emotional stress. (STATUTE 7701).


Masseur or Masseuse:

Authorized to stroke, knead, tap and vibrate the muscular structure of the human body with hands or vibrators for the purpose of improving muscle tone and circulation. (STATUTE 7801).


Occupational Therapist:

Authorized to evaluate the client and plan and utilize a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain adaptive skills, designed to achieve maximal physical and mental functioning of the patient in his daily life tasks. (STATUTE 7901). Program must be prescribed or referred by a physician or nurse practitioner. (STATUTE 7901). Cannot practice medicine or psychology, including psychotherapy. (STATUTE 7901).


Certified Dietician or Certified Nutritionist:

Authorized to provide nutrition care services that include assessing nutrition needs and food patterns, planning for and directing the provision of food appropriate for physical and nutrition needs, and providing nutrition counseling. (STATUTE 8001(3)).


Speech-Language Pathologist:

Authorized to apply principles, methods and procedures of measurement, prediction, non-medical diagnosis, testing, counseling, consultation, rehabilitation and instruction related to the develop ment and disorders of speech, voice and/or language for the purpose of preventing, ameliorating or modifying such disorder conditions in individuals and/or groups. (STATUTE 8201).


Audiologist:

Authorized to apply principles, methods and procedures of measurement, testing, evaluation, consultation, counseling, instruction and habilitation or rehabilitation related to hearing, its disorder and relation to communication, impairments for the purpose of non-medical diagnosis, prevention, identification, amelioration or modification of such disorders and conditions in individuals and/or groups. (STATUTE 8203).


Acupuncturist:

Authorized to treat, by means of mechanical, thermal or electrical stimulation effected by the insertion of needles or by the application of heat, pressure or electrical stimulation at a point or combination of points on the surface of the body predetermined on the basis of the theory of the physiological interrelationship of body organs with an associated point or combination of points for diseases, disorders and dysfunctions of the body for the purpose of achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect. (STATUTE 8211(a)). Must advise patient to consult a licensed physician regarding the patient's condition and must have patient sign a form attesting to patient's notice of such advice. (STATUTE 8211(b)).


Athletic Trainer:

Authorized to perform athletic training, under the supervi sion of a physician, in secondary schools, institutions of post-secondary education, and professional athletic organizations. (STATUTE 8351). Can carry out comparable functions on orthopedic athletic injuries, excluding spinal cord injuries, in a health care organization, under the supervision of a physician. (STATUTE 8351). Cannot recondition neurologic injuries, conditions or disease. (STATUTE 8351). Also authorized to apply principles, methods and procedures for managing athletic injuries, including the preconditioning, conditioning and reconditioning of an individual who has suffered an athletic injury, through the use of appropriate preventative and supportive devices, under the supervision of a physician and recognizing illness and referring to the appropriate medical professional with implementation of treatment pursuant to physician's orders. Can instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel and communities of care and prevention of athletic injuries. (STATUTE 8352).


Respiratory Therapist:

Authorized, at the direction of a physician, to perform cardiopulmonary evaluation, which includes the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data obtained from physiological specimens, performing diagnostic tests, studies and research of the cardiopulmonary system and neurophysiological studies related to respiratory care. (STATUTE 8501). Authorized, at the direction of a physician, to perform respiratory therapy treatment tech niques, which includes the application and monitoring of medical gases (excluding anesthetic gases) and environmental control systems, mechanical ventilatory support, artificial airway care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures and cardio pulmonary rehabilitation related and limited to respiratory care. (STATUTE 8501). Authorized to educate the patient, family and public. (STATUTE 8501). May super vise respiratory therapy technicians. (STATUTE 8502(2)).


Respiratory Therapy Technician:

Authorized to work under the supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist or physician performing tasks and responsi bilities within the framework of the practice of respiratory therapy. (STATUTE 8508).