(

a) Any individual may perform a blood gas analysis if all the following conditions exist:

(1) He or she has earned a high school diploma or equivalent, as determined by HCFA pursuant to CLIA.

(2) He or she performs the blood gas analysis in a clinic or a general acute care hospital, as defined respectively in Sections and of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) He or she has been instructed by a physician and surgeon licensed in this state, who is in charge of a department of pulmonary physiology or clinical pathology in licensed clinics or hospitals, as defined respectively in Sections and of the Health and Safety Code, in the proper procedure to be employed when performing a blood gas analysis.

(4) He or she performs the blood gas analysis under the direction and supervision of the physician and surgeon.

(5) He or she submits the analysis for

interpretation to the physician and surgeon under whose direction and supervision he or she performed the analysis. (

b) After September 1, 1997, any person may perform a blood gas analysis classified as of high complexity under CLIA, if, in addition to the requirements of subdivision (a), he or she has earned an associate degree related to pulmonary function from an accredited institution as determined by HCFA pursuant to CLIA. (

c) Nothing contained in this

section shall be construed as authorizing any individual, not otherwise authorized, to withdraw blood. (

d) Nothing contained in this

section is applicable to a person licensed as a respiratory care practitioner under

Chapter 8.3 (commencing with

Section 3700). Those persons are authorized to perform those functions set forth in that chapter.