KRS 311A.175: Exceeding scope of practice -- Discipline prohibited for refusal to exceed

scope of practice.

(1) No certified emergency medical responder shall perform any act or procedure which

exceeds the scope of practice of an emergency medical responder as specified in

this chapter and in administrative regulations promulgated by the board.

(2) No emergency medical technician shall perform any act or procedure which exceeds

the scope of practice of an emergency medical technician as specified in this chapter

and in administrative regulations promulgated by the board.

(3) No advanced emergency medical technician shall perform any act or procedure

which exceeds the scope of practice of an advanced emergency medical technician

as specified in this chapter an d in administrative regulations promulgated by the

board.

(4) No paramedic shall perform any act or procedure which exceeds the scope of

practice of a paramedic as specified in this chapter, administrative regulations

promulgated by the board, protocol, st anding order, or other document approved by

the board.

(5) A certified emergency responder, emergency medical technician, advanced

emergency medical technician, or licensed paramedic is presumed to know the

standards of practice for his or her level of certification or licensure.

(6) It is the legal duty of an emergency medical responder, emergency medical

technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic to refuse to

perform any act or procedure which is beyond the scope of practice for his o r her

level of certification or licensure regardless of whether that act or procedure is

ordered by a physician, physician assistant, medical director, advanced practice

registered nurse, registered nurse, or supervisor.

(7) No employer or organization for which an emergency medical responder,

emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or

paramedic has volunteered shall reprimand, discipline, or dismiss an emergency

medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergenc y medical

technician, or paramedic who has refused to perform an act or procedure which the

emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency

medical technician, or paramedic knows is in violation of the provisions of this

section. Violation of this section by an employer or by an organization for which an

emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency

medical technician, or paramedic has volunteered shall be grounds for a legal action

for wrongful discipline or wrongful discharge, as appropriate.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to an order to perform an act or

procedure:

(a) For which a license or certification by the board is not required and which

otherwise do not constitute the unlawful practice of medicine; or

(b) For which no license or certification is required and does not involve medical

care or treatment; or

(c) For which a license or certification issued by an agency other than the board is

required and the emergency medi cal responder, emergency medical

technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic holds such

a license or certification.