NRS450B.1975. Endorsement to administer immunizations, dispense medication and respond to public health needs. [Effective January 1, 2014.]

      1.  An advanced emergency medical technician or a paramedic who holds an endorsement to administer immunizations, dispense medication and prepare and respond to certain public health needs issued in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section may:

      (a) Administer immunizations and dispense medications;

      (b) Participate in activities designed to prepare the community to meet anticipated health needs, including, without limitation, participation in public vaccination clinics; and

      (c) Respond to an actual epidemic or other emergency in the community,

Ê under the direct supervision of the local health officer, or a designee of the local health officer, of the jurisdiction in which the immunization is administered or the medication is dispensed or in which the emergency or need exists.

      2.  The district board of health, in a county whose population is 700,000 or more, may adopt regulations for the endorsement of advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics pursuant to this section. The regulations must:

      (a) Prescribe the minimum training required to obtain such an endorsement;

      (b) Prescribe the continuing education requirements or other evidence of continued competency for renewal of the endorsement;

      (c) Prescribe the fee for the issuance and renewal of the endorsement, which must not exceed $5; and

      (d) Not require licensure as an attendant as a condition of eligibility for an endorsement pursuant to this section.

      3.  The State Board of Health shall, for counties whose population is less than 700,000, adopt regulations for the endorsement of advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics pursuant to this section. The regulations must:

      (a) Prescribe the minimum training required to obtain such an endorsement;

      (b) Prescribe the continuing education requirements or other evidence of continued competency for renewal of the endorsement;

      (c) Prescribe the fee for the issuance and renewal of the endorsement, which must not exceed $5;

      (d) To the extent practicable, authorize local health officers to provide the training and continuing education required to obtain and renew an endorsement; and

      (e) Not require licensure as an attendant as a condition of eligibility for an endorsement pursuant to this section.

      4.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Emergency” means an occurrence or threatened occurrence for which, in the determination of the Governor, the assistance of state agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property and protect the health and safety of persons in this State, or to avert the threat of damage to property or injury to or the death of persons in this State.

      (b) “Local health officer” means a city health officer appointed pursuant to NRS 439.430, county health officer appointed pursuant to NRS 439.290 or district health officer appointed pursuant to NRS 439.368 or 439.400.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1532; A 2011, 1270; 2013, 945, effective January 1, 2014)