The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title XXXII
REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS

Chapter 458
MEDICAL PRACTICE

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F.S. 458.3485

458.3485 Medical assistant.—

(1) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, “medical assistant” means a professional multiskilled person dedicated to assisting in all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician. This practitioner assists with patient care management, executes administrative and clinical procedures, and often performs managerial and supervisory functions. Competence in the field also requires that a medical assistant adhere to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize and respond to emergencies, and demonstrate professional characteristics.

(2) DUTIES.—Under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed physician, a medical assistant may undertake the following duties:

(a) Performing clinical procedures, to include:

1. Performing aseptic procedures.

2. Taking vital signs.

3. Preparing patients for the physician’s care.

4. Performing venipunctures and nonintravenous injections.

5. Observing and reporting patients’ signs or symptoms.

(b) Administering basic first aid.

(d) Operating office medical equipment.

(e) Collecting routine laboratory specimens as directed by the physician.

(f) Administering medication as directed by the physician.

(g) Performing basic laboratory procedures.

(h) Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties required by the physician.

(i) Performing dialysis procedures, including home dialysis.

(3) CERTIFICATION.—To obtain the designation of a certified medical assistant, the medical assistant must receive certification from a certification program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, a national or state medical association, or an entity approved by the board.

History.—s. 7, ch. 84-543; s. 7, ch. 84-553; ss. 21, 26, ch. 86-245; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 28, ch. 97-264; s. 113, ch. 2007-5; s. 1, ch. 2016-67; s. 4, ch. 2017-50.

F.S. 458.3485 on Google Scholar

F.S. 458.3485 on Casetext

Amendments to 458.3485

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 458.3485

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 458.3485.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INSURANCE CO. v. QUALITY DIAGNOSTIC HEALTH CARE, INC., 369 F. Supp. 3d 1292 (S.D. Fla. 2019)

. . . certified question in the affirmative: Whether a person defined as a medical assistant under section 458.3485 . . . Ctr. , Florida's Third District Court of Appeals noted that, "[u]nder section 458.3485(1), Florida Statutes . . .

ESTATE OF TINERVIN R. V. M. D. P. A. v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY,, 23 So. 3d 1232 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2009)

. . . equipment and performed functions that were the tasks of a professional medical assistant under section 458.3485 . . . We also agree with the trial court’s finding that the employee was a medical assistant under section 458.3485 . . . all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician.” § 458.3485 . . . professional practice, recognize and respond to emergencies, and demonstrate professional characteristics.” § 458.3485 . . .

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE, INSURANCE CO. v. UNIVERSAL MEDICAL CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC., 881 So. 2d 557 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . the following question to this Court: Whether a person defined as a medical assistant under section 458.3485 . . . Under section 458.3485(1), Florida Statutes (2001), a medical assistant is permitted to assist “in all . . . Section 458.3485(2) specifically authorizes a medical assistant to assist “with patient examinations . . .