(a) The board shall appoint an executive director, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-4315b, and amendments thereto. Except as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as executive director shall exercise any power, duty or function as executive director until confirmed by the senate. The executive director shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive a salary fixed by the board and approved by the governor. The executive director shall not be a member of the board. Under the supervision of the board, the executive director shall be the chief administrative officer of the board and shall perform such duties as may be specified by the board and as may be required by law. The executive director shall be the custodian of the common seal of the board, the books and records of the board and shall keep minutes of all board proceedings.

(b) The board may employ an administrative assistant. The administrative assistant shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive a salary fixed by the board and approved by the governor. Under the supervision of the executive director, the administrative assistant shall assist the executive director in the performance of the duties of the executive director.

(c) The board may employ such clerical and other employees, who shall be in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act, as it considers necessary in order to administer and execute, under the supervision of the executive director, the provisions of this act or other statutes delegating duties and responsibilities to the board, except that any attorney employed by the board shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive a salary fixed by the board and approved by the governor.

(d) As necessary, the board shall be represented by an attorney appointed by the attorney general as provided by law, whose compensation shall be determined and paid by the board with the approval of the governor.

(e) The board may contract with one or more persons who are licensed to practice the healing arts in this state and who are not members of the board to provide such advice and assistance as necessary on: Licensure matters including review, investigation and disposition of complaints; clinical and patient care matters; and the ethical conduct and professional practice of licensees; or to perform other duties as assigned by the executive director or the board. For the purposes of contracting with such persons, the board shall be exempt from the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3739, and amendments thereto.