(a) The practice of vocational nursing within the meaning of this chapter is the performance of services requiring those technical, manual skills acquired by means of a course in an approved school of vocational nursing, or its equivalent, practiced under the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon or registered nurse, as defined in Section 2725, or naturopathic doctor, as defined in Section 2859.1, and in accordance with this section and Section 2859.1.

(b) A vocational nurse, within the meaning of this chapter, is a person who has met all the legal requirements for a license as a vocational nurse in this state and who for compensation or personal profit engages in vocational nursing, as defined under subdivision (a).

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(c) The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision do not authorize a licensed vocational nurse acting under the direction of a naturopathic doctor to perform any function outside the existing scope of practice of a licensed vocational nurse.

(d) A licensed vocational nurse practicing under the supervision of a naturopathic doctor shall be limited to performing those duties included within the scope of practice of a naturopathic doctor.

(e) A naturopathic doctor supervising a licensed vocational nurse and furnishing or ordering drugs in accordance with standardized procedures or protocols developed with the approval of a supervising physician and surgeon, as authorized under Section 3640.5, shall identify within the established protocol that the naturopathic doctor is responsible for the supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or nurses and provide procedures for assistance and consultation with the supervising physician and surgeon regarding any issues that arise involving the naturopathic doctor’s supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or nurses in the furnishing or ordering of drugs.

(f) (1) A naturopathic doctor supervising a licensed vocational nurse shall establish a written supervision protocol, listing the practice agreement, that includes all of the following:

(A) A description of the duties and responsibilities of the licensed vocational nurse and, if applicable, disclosure of the procedure or protocol for the furnishing or ordering of drugs, as described in subdivision (e).

(B) Policies and procedures to ensure adequate supervision of the licensed vocational nurse, including, but not limited to, appropriate communication, availability of supervision, location of venue or venues where services are to be provided, and availability of consultations between the naturopathic doctor and the licensed vocational nurse regarding the practice of vocational nursing.

(C) The methods for the training and continuing evaluation of the competency and qualifications of the licensed vocational nurse.

(2) The written supervision protocol required by this subdivision may be provided by means of an employment agreement or other practice agreement document.

(3) A licensed vocational nurse shall provide a copy of the written supervision protocol prescribed by this subdivision to the board upon request by the board.

(g) In addition to other acts constituting unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this chapter, failure to comply with the requirements for supervision in this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to it is considered unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 713, Sec. 1. (SB 994) Effective January 1, 2023.)