COVID-19 Immunization Administration by Additional Health Care Practitioners
On February 19, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issued
Administrative Order 2021-07 and Waiver 2021-03, which permits authorized health care personnel to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to patients upon direction from a supervising health care practitioner. The Order and Waiver defines “authorized health care personnel” as “licensed practical nurses, certified homemaker home health aides, dentists, respiratory care therapists, perfusionists, podiatrists, optometrists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and dental hygienists with local anesthesia permits.” A “supervising health care practitioner” is defined as “a doctor of medicine (M.D.), a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.), a registered professional nurse (R.P.N.), an advanced practice nurse (A.P.N.), a physician assistant (P.A.), or a pharmacist (R.Ph.).” The Order and Wavier requires a supervising health care practitioner to determine if authorized health care personnel are licensed in New Jersey and have been trained and are competent to administer a COVID-19 vaccine prior to directing authorized health care personnel to administer the vaccine. Optometrists should read and familiarize themselves with the provisions of this
order.
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The New Jersey State Board of Optometrists was created to oversee the State’s licensed optometrists. The practice of optometry includes:
- examining the eye for disease, such as glaucoma and cataracts;
- checking the visual status of the patient and prescribing correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses when necessary and;
- utilizing ocular pharmaceutical agents for treatment purposes.
The purpose of the Board is to:
- protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey;
- to regulate licensed optometrists and the practice of optometry in New Jersey; and
- to take action against the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized or unqualified practice of optometry and guard against unprofessional conduct by licensed optometrists.
The Board protects the public by:
- making sure all optometrists who want to practice in New Jersey meet the requirements set by statute;
- investigating and prosecuting optometrists who break the State’s consumer protection laws; and
- requiring all optometrists to be licensed and to renew their licenses every two years.