Definitions

(a) The following words and phrases when used in the physician assistant licensure act shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section: (1) "Board" means the state board of healing arts. (2) "Direction and supervision" means the guidance, direction and coordination of activities of a physician assistant by such physician assistant's supervising physician, whether written or verbal, whether immediate or by prior arrangement, in accordance with standards established by the board by rules and regulations, which standards shall be designed to ensure adequate direction and supervision by the supervising physician of the physician assistant. The term "direction and supervision" shall not be construed to mean that the immediate or physical presence of the supervising physician is required during the performance of the physician assistant. (3) "Physician" means any person licensed by the state board of healing arts to practice medicine and surgery. (4) "Physician assistant" means a person who is licensed in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 65-28a04, and amendments thereto, and who provides patient services under the direction and supervision of a supervising physician. (5) "Supervising physician" means prior to January 11, 2016, a responsible physician and on and after January 11, 2016, a physician who has accepted responsibility for the medical services rendered and actions of the physician assistant while performing under the direction and supervision of the supervising physician. (6) "Responsible physician" means a physician who has accepted continuous and ultimate responsibility for the medical services rendered and actions of the physician assistant while performing under the direction and supervision of the responsible physician. (7) "Licensee," for purposes of the physician assistant licensure act, means all persons issued a license or temporary license pursuant to the physician assistant licensure act. (8) "License," for purposes of the physician assistant licensure act, means any license or temporary license granted by the physician assistant licensure act. (9) "Agreement" means, prior to January 11, 2016, protocol and on and after January 11, 2016, agreement. (b) Prior to January 11, 2016, wherever the term "supervising physician" in connection with the term "physician assistant," or words of like effect, appears in any statute, contract or other document, it shall mean responsible physician as defined in subsection (a)(6). On and after January 11, 2016, such term shall mean supervising physician as defined in subsection (a)(5).