OH HB455

Establishes a registration system for surgical assistants under the state medical board, requiring applicants to be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and be credentialed by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants.

Allows applicants without national credentials to register if they either practiced as a surgical assistant in Ohio during the six months before the bill's effective date or completed a U.S. Armed Forces surgical assistant training program.

Permits individuals to practice as surgical assistants without registration at hospitals or ambulatory surgical facilities that have obtained a waiver from the state medical board, provided the facility demonstrates it is located in an area with special health problems limiting access to surgical care.

Defines surgical assistant duties to include providing exposure, maintaining hemostasis, making incisions, closing surgical sites, manipulating tissue, implanting devices, suctioning, placing catheters, clamping vessels, applying dressings, administering anesthetics, and performing other physician-directed tasks.

Exempts physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses from the registration requirement and requires the state medical board to adopt rules establishing registration procedures, renewal fees, grounds for denial or revocation, and waiver application procedures.