Section 31-7-161. Appointment to staff of medical facility or institution

   (a) A medical facility or institution may provide for the appointment of health service provider psychologists on such terms and conditions as the medical facility or institution shall establish. Psychologists shall be eligible to hold membership and serve on committees of the medical or professional staff and may possess clinical privileges and carry professional responsibilities consistent with the scope of their licensure and their competence, subject to the reasonable rules of the medical facility or institution. Such privileges and responsibilities may include issuing a psychologist's order. A physician shall be designated to be responsible for the medical aspects of care for a patient admitted by a psychologist.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

   (1) A health service provider psychologist is authorized to issue a psychologist's order to a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse; and

   (2) A registered professional nurse and a licensed practical nurse shall have the authority to execute a psychologist's order, provided that a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse may confer with the health service provider psychologist prior to executing the psychologist's order. Nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to alter the standard of care of the registered professional nurse or the licensed practical nurse applicable to the evaluation and execution of orders, including a psychologist's order.

Code 1981, § 31-7-161, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1426, § 2; Ga. L. 1997, p. 911, § 3.