South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants
At the Heart of Healthcare
**Effective July 1st, 2021, the licensure of Medical Assistants in the State of South Dakota is no longer required with the SD Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.**
Click here to view the former Scope of Practice
With the legislative change on July 1st, 2021 that removed the requirement for Medical Assistants practicing in the State of South Dakota to register with the SD Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners, there is no longer a specific scope of practice.
The below may be used as a general outline of definitions and duties that Medical Assistants may perform, however it is now the sole responsibility of the facility where the Medical Assistant practices to determine the eligible scope for their employees.
36-9B-1 Medical Assistant Defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, a medical assistant is a professional multi skilled person who assists in all aspects of medical practice under the responsibility and direct supervision of a person licensed to practice medicine in the State of South Dakota. A medical assistant assists with patient care management, executes administrative and clinical procedures, and performs managerial and supervisory functions over unlicensed personnel.
[“Direct supervision” of a medical assistant means supervision of all activities performed by the medical assistant. Should the physician be unable to provide on-site supervision, supervision by a properly supervised physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife shall satisfy the medical assistant act’s direct supervision requirements. SD Joint Boards Definition 06/1994.]
36-9B-2 Duties
A medical assistant under the responsibility and direct supervision of a person licensed to practice medicine in the State of South Dakota may perform the following duties:
1. Performing clinical procedures to include:
a. Performing aseptic procedures
b. Taking vital signs
c. Preparing patients for examination
d. Phlebotomous blood withdrawal and nonintravenous injections
e. Observing and reporting patients' signs or symptoms
2. Administering basic first aid
3. Assisting with patient examinations or treatment
4. Operating office medical equipment
5. Collecting routine laboratory specimens
6. Administering medications by unit dosage
7. Performing basic laboratory procedures
8. Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties
36-9B-9 Hospital privileges
Nothing in this chapter permits a medical assistant to provide services in a hospital licensed pursuant to chapter 34-12 unless the hospital has specifically granted such privileges.
Approved May 11, 2022
Practice Statement
It is within the scope of a registered nurse (RN), pursuant to SDCL 36-9-3 (7) (11), to assign and supervise nursing tasks to medical assistants in ambulatory or outpatient settings.
Purpose
The following guidelines are intended to promote safe assignments of nursing tasks to medical assistants.
Guidelines
A registered nurse may assign nursing tasks and supervise a medical assistant provided:
• The agency allows a medical assistant to provide nursing services in the practice setting;
• The medical assistant is certified with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT);
• Assigned nursing tasks are consistent with Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) standards, with
the exclusion of IV therapy;
• The medical assistant has demonstrated competency to perform the assigned nursing tasks;
• The supervising registered nurse is readily available either in person or via electronic communication.
For more information click here.
CMA and RMA Credentialing
The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) are both voluntary, national credentials for the medical assisting profession. The CMA is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants organization; the RMA is given by the American Medical Technologists.