32-2505. Personnel; consultants; compensation

A. The executive director employed by the Arizona medical board is the executive director of the Arizona regulatory board of physician assistants. The staff of the Arizona medical board shall carry out the administrative responsibilities of the Arizona regulatory board of physician assistants.

B. The executive director is eligible to receive compensation set by the board within the range determined under section 38-611.

C. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall:

1. Employ, evaluate, dismiss, discipline and direct professional, clerical, technical, investigative and administrative personnel necessary to carry on the work of the board.

2. Set compensation for board employees within the range determined under section 38-611.

3. As directed by the board, prepare and submit recommendations for amendments to the physician assistant practice act for consideration by the legislature.

4. Appoint and employ medical consultants and agents necessary to conduct investigations, gather information and perform those duties the executive director determines are necessary and appropriate to enforce this chapter.

5. Issue licenses, registrations and permits to applicants who meet the requirements of this chapter.

6. Manage the board's offices.

7. Prepare minutes, records, reports, registries, directories, books and newsletters and record all board transactions and orders.

8. Collect all monies due and payable to the board.

9. Pay all bills for authorized expenditures of the board and its staff.

10. Prepare an annual budget.

11. Submit a copy of the budget each year to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

12. Initiate an investigation if evidence appears to demonstrate that a physician assistant may be engaged in unprofessional conduct or may be medically incompetent or mentally or physically unable to safely practice as a physician assistant.

13. Issue subpoenas if necessary to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, documents and other evidence.

14. Provide assistance to the attorney general in preparing and sign and execute disciplinary orders, rehabilitative orders and notices of hearings as directed by the board.

15. Enter into contracts to procure goods and services pursuant to title 41, chapter 23 that are necessary to carry out board policies and directives.

16. Execute board directives.

17. Represent the board in matters with the federal government, other states or jurisdictions of the United States, this state, political subdivisions of this state, the news media and the public.

18. Enter into stipulated agreements on behalf of the board with persons under the jurisdiction of the board for the treatment, rehabilitation or monitoring of chemical substance abuse or misuse.

19. Review all complaints filed pursuant to section 32-2551. If delegated by the board, the executive director may also dismiss a complaint if the complaint is without merit.

20. If delegated by the board, directly refer cases to a formal hearing.

21. If delegated by the board, close cases resolved through mediation.

22. If delegated by the board, issue advisory letters.

23. If delegated by the board, enter into a consent agreement if there is evidence of danger to the public health and safety.

24. If delegated by the board, grant uncontested requests for inactive status and cancellation of a license pursuant to this chapter.

25. If delegated by the board, refer cases to the board for a formal interview.

26. Perform all other administrative, licensing or regulatory duties required by the board.

D. Medical consultants and agents appointed pursuant to subsection C, paragraph 4 of this section are eligible to receive compensation determined by the executive director in an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars for each day of service.

E. A person who is aggrieved by an action taken by the executive director may request the board to review that action by filing with the board a written request within thirty days after that person is notified of the executive director's action by personal delivery, or if mailed to that person's last known residence or place of business, within thirty-five days after the date on the notification. At the next regular board meeting, the board shall review the executive director's action. On review, the board shall approve, modify or reject the executive director's action.