[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2588 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2588

  To provide for the review and classification of physician assistant 
      positions in the Federal Government, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              October 8 (legislative day, October 2), 1998

  Mr. Conrad (for himself, Mr. Nickles and Mr. Inouye) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                          Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To provide for the review and classification of physician assistant 
      positions in the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT POSITIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the terms ``class'' and ``class of positions'' have the 
        meanings given such terms under section 5102(a)(4) of title 5, 
        United States Code; and
            (2) the term ``position'' has the meaning given such term 
        under section 5102(a)(3) of title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Review and Classification.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management shall--
            (1) review the classification of the position of physician 
        assistant, including the factors considered under section 
        5102(a)(4) (A), (B), and (C) of title 5, United States Code;
            (2) in conducting the review under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) solicit comments from physician assistants and 
                organizations representative of physician assistants; 
                and
                    (B) give specific consideration to--
                            (i) the private sector qualifications, 
                        requirements for practice, compensation, and 
                        experience of a physician assistant; and
                            (ii) the educational and practice 
                        qualifications required for the position of 
                        physician assistant, including national 
                        accreditation standards and State licensing 
                        requirements;
            (3) reclassify the position of physician assistant in a 
        professional class that is different from the class of 
        positions that include any nurse position or medical technician 
        position; and
            (4) make any appropriate adjustments in personnel and pay 
        administration consistent with the review and classification 
        conducted under this subsection.
                                 <all>