Physician Assistant Advisory Committee

On February 19, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issuedAdministrative Order 2021-08 and Waiver 2021-04, which permits health care practitioners-in-training, which are students in medical schools, physician assistant programs, and nursing programs, to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to patients upon direction from a supervising health care practitioner.  The Order and Waiver defines a “supervising health care practitioner” 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 ensure that the health care practitioner-in-training has an attestation from a faculty member that attests that the health care practitioner-in-training is enrolled in an educational program, has completed the appropriate level of didactic education, and will have oversight while participating in a COVID-19 vaccinator program. The supervising health care practitioner also must ensure that the health care practitioner-in-training has completed CDC training in vaccination and is competent to administer a COVID-19 vaccine.

Physician Assistants should read and familiarize themselves with the provisions of this order.

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.

On February 19, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-06 and Waiver 2021-02, which permits a certified medical assistant to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to patients upon direction from a supervising health care practitioner.  The Order and Waiver defines a “supervising health care practitioner” 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 Waiver waives provisions of N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.4 that limit CMAs to administering injections solely in physicians’ offices, mandate physicians to make determinations as to appropriateness of treatment, and prohibit CMAs from administering vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization but have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The Order and Wavier requires a supervising health care practitioner to determine if a CMA is competent to administer a COVID-19 vaccine and to ensure that the CMA receives proper supervision when administering the vaccine. 

On January 5, 2021, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-04, which requires licensed health care providers who are authorized to administer vaccines to register and report to the NJIIS when administering a vaccine for COVID-19. Licensed physician assistants should read and familiarize themselves with the requirements of this order.