2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 35 - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 81 - Emergency Medical Services System
8119 - Prehospital physician extenders.

     § 8119.  Prehospital physician extenders.
        (a)  Scope of practice.--A PHPE is a higher-level EMS
     provider than an advanced EMT. A PHPE performs for an EMS agency
     basic and advanced EMS skills and, as authorized by regulation
     of the department, additional physician assistant skills within
     the scope of practice of a physician assistant under the act of
     December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical
     Practice Act of 1985, or the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109,
     No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, or a
     successor act, as follows, but supervision of a PHPE shall be
     conducted as set forth in this chapter:
            (1)  As a member of the crew of an ambulance.
            (2)  As a member of a QRS to stabilize and improve a
        patient's condition in an out-of-hospital emergency until an
        ambulance arrives at the scene and then may assist the
        ambulance crew.
            (3)  As a first aid or safety officer, or in a similar
        capacity, for an EMS agency as prescribed by regulation of
        the department.
            (4)  In another capacity as authorized by regulation of
        the department.
        (b)  Certification.--The department shall certify as a PHPE a
     physician assistant who meets all of the following:
            (1)  Has a currently registered license as a physician
        assistant with the State Board of Medicine or the State Board
        of Osteopathic Medicine.
            (2)  Is at least 18 years of age.
            (3)  Has a current certificate evidencing successful
        completion of a CPR course acceptable to the department.
            (4)  Has passed a PHPE skills practical examination
        approved by the department.
            (5)  Has passed a written PHPE certification examination
        approved by the department.
        (c)  Biennial registration.--A PHPE's certification is deemed
     registered when the certification is issued. The initial
     registration shall expire as set forth in section 8113(n)
     (relating to emergency medical services providers). Except for
     the initial registration period, a PHPE must register the PHPE
     certification at two-year intervals by completing an application
     for biennial registration on a form or through an electronic
     process as prescribed by regulation of the department. The
     following shall apply:
            (1)  The department shall issue a biennial registration
        of a PHPE certification to a PHPE who:
                (i)  Has a current registration and applies for a new
            registration no later than:
                    (A)  30 days before the current registration is
                to expire; or
                    (B)  a lesser time as established by regulation
                of the department.
                (ii)  Has current registration of a physician
            assistant license.
                (iii)  Successfully secures continuing education
            credits for PHPE biennial registration as required by the
            department in continuing education programs approved by
            the department.
            (2)  A PHPE whose registration of a PHPE certification
        has expired must qualify for a biennial registration of the
        certification as prescribed by regulation of the department.

        Effective Date.  Section 9(1) of Act 37 of 2009 provided that
     section 8119 shall take effect 180 days after the publication of
     the notice in section 7.