(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "Administer" means to give a unit dose of any drug or to perform any medical treatment or diagnostic study.

(2) "Controlled substance" means any controlled substance, as defined in Code Section 16-13-21, except any Schedule I controlled substance listed in Code Section 16-13-25.

(3) "Dispense" means to issue one or more doses of any drug in a suitable container with appropriate labeling for subsequent administration to, or use by, a patient.

(3.1) "Dispensing procedure" means a written document signed by a licensed pharmacist and a licensed physician which document establishes the appropriate manner under which drugs may be dispensed pursuant to this Code section.

(4) "Dangerous drug" means any dangerous drug, as defined in Code Section 16-13-71, but does not include any controlled substance or Schedule I controlled substance.

(5) "Drug" means any dangerous drug or controlled substance.

(5.1) "Job description" means a document signed by a licensed physician and describing the duties which may be performed by a physician's assistant, by which document the physician delegates to that physician's assistant the authority to perform certain medical acts pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section and which acts shall include, without being limited to, the administering and ordering of any drug.

(6) "Nurse" means a person who is a registered professional nurse licensed as such under Article 1 of Chapter 26 of this title.

(7) "Nurse protocol" means a written document mutually agreed upon and signed by a nurse and a licensed physician, by which document the physician delegates to that nurse the authority to perform certain medical acts pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section, and which acts shall include, without being limited to, the administering and ordering of any drug.

(8) "Order" means to select a drug, medical treatment, or diagnostic study through physician delegation in accordance with a nurse protocol or a physician's assistant's job description. Ordering under such delegation shall not be construed to be prescribing, which act can only be performed by the physician, nor shall ordering of a drug be construed to authorize the issuance of a written prescription.

(9) "Physician's assistant" means a person licensed as a physician's assistant pursuant to Article 4 of this chapter, the "Physician's Assistant Act."

(b)(1) A physician may delegate to:

(A) A physician's assistant in accordance with a job description; or (B) A nurse recognized by the Georgia Board of Nursing as a certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist, psychiatric/mental health in accordance with a nurse protocol

the authority to order controlled substances selected from a formulary of such drugs established by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners and the authority to order dangerous drugs, medical treatments, and diagnostic studies.

(2) A physician may delegate to a nurse or physician's assistant the authority to order dangerous drugs, medical treatments, or diagnostic studies and a nurse or physician's assistant is authorized to dispense dangerous drugs, in accordance with a dispensing procedure and under the authority of an order issued in conformity with a nurse protocol or job description, if that nurse or physician's assistant orders or dispenses those dangerous drugs, medical treatments, or diagnostic studies:

(A) As an agent or employee of:

(i) The Division of Public Health of the Department of Human Resources;

(ii) Any county board of health; or

(iii) Any organization:

(I) Which is exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in Code Section 48-1-2, other than an organization which is a hospital, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, or similar organization; or

(II) Established under the authority of or receiving funds pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 254b or 254c of the United States Public Health Service Act,

which organization provides that those medical services and dangerous drugs which are ordered or dispensed by its physician's assistants and nurses will be provided at no cost to the patient or at a cost based solely upon the patient's ability to pay; and

(B) In conformity with subsection (b) of Code Section 26-4-130 and the rules and regulations established pursuant thereto by the State Board of Pharmacy.

(3) In addition, a physician may delegate to a nurse or physician's assistant the authority to order dangerous drugs, medical treatments, or diagnostic studies and a nurse or physician's assistant is authorized to dispense dangerous drugs, in accordance with a dispensing procedure and under the authority of an order issued in conformity with a nurse protocol or job description, if that nurse or physician's assistant orders or dispenses such drugs, treatments, or studies to a patient of an outpatient clinic:

(A) Which is owned or operated by a licensed hospital; (B) Which provides such drugs, treatments, or studies free or at a charge to the patient based solely upon the patient's ability to pay; provided, however, such charge shall not exceed the actual cost to the outpatient clinic; and

(C) Whose services are primarily provided to the medically disadvantaged

and that nurse or physician's assistant orders or dispenses such drugs in conformity with subsection (b) of Code Section 26-4-130 and the rules and regulations established pursuant thereto by the State Board of Pharmacy.

(4) Delegation of authority to a physician's assistant pursuant to this subsection shall be authorized only if that delegation is contained in the job description approved for that physician's assistant by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners.

(5) Delegation of authority to a nurse pursuant to this subsection shall be authorized only if that delegation is contained in a nurse protocol for that nurse.

(c) The Composite State Board of Medical Examiners shall be empowered to promulgate rules and regulations governing physicians and physician's assistants to carry out the intents and purposes of this Code section, including establishing criteria and standards governing physicians, physician's assistants, job descriptions, and nurse protocols. The board shall be authorized to require that protocols not falling within such established criteria and standards be submitted to the board for review and approval or rejection.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a physician's assistant or nurse may perform any act authorized to be performed by that person pursuant to and in conformity with this Code section without such act constituting the practice of medicine.

(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit or repeal this article and Articles 4 and 6 of this chapter, relating to physicians, osteopaths, physician's assistants, and respiratory therapists, or Article 1 of Chapter 26 of this title, relating to registered nurses.

(f) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit or repeal any existing authority of a licensed physician to delegate to a qualified person any acts, duties, or functions which are otherwise permitted by law or established by custom.

(g) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to authorize or permit the issuance of a Drug Enforcement Administration license to a nurse or physician's assistant.

(h) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit or repeal the authority of any organization described in division (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (b)(2)(A) of this Code section or any organization established under the authority of or receiving funds pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 254b or 254c of the United States Public Health Service Act to supervise its agents or employees or interfere with the employer and employee relationship of any such agents or employees. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a physician's assistant or nurse may perform any act deemed necessary to provide treatment to a hospital or nursing home patient in a life-threatening situation when such act is authorized by standing procedures established by the medical staff of the hospital or nursing home.