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. Respiratory therapists should read and familiarize themselves with the provisions of this
order.
|
The State Board of Respiratory Care was created by the provisions of the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act of 1991. This board licenses and regulates respiratory therapists in New Jersey.
Respiratory care is the health specialty involving the treatment, disease management, control, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiac and pulmonary system. Respiratory care practitioners administer oxygen and other medical gases to patients and perform treatments and tests under the supervision of doctors.