(1) Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice means the independent and/or collaborative delivery and management of expert level nursing care to individuals or groups, including the ability to:

(a) assess the health status of individuals and families using methods appropriate to the client population and area of practice;

(b) diagnose human responses to actual or potential health problems using the nursing process;

(c) plan for health promotion, disease prevention, and/or therapeutic intervention in collaboration with the client. The goal is to enhance the problem-solving and self-care abilities of the client whenever and to whatever extent possible. The clinical nurse specialist works with other health care providers to maximize resources available to the client and family;

(d) implement therapeutic interventions based on the clinical nurse specialist's area(s) of expertise, including but not limited to:

(i) direct nursing care;

(ii) ordering durable medical equipment;

(iii) ordering nonpharmacological treatment;

(iv) providing medications or treatments according to protocol;

(v) receiving and monitoring diagnostic procedures according to protocols; and

(vi) counseling and/or teaching.

(e) refer for additional health care as necessary and appropriate;

(f) coordinate health care as necessary and appropriate;

(g) evaluate, with the client, the effectiveness of care;

(h) educate clients, families, other health care professionals, and the public;

(i) engage in research activities; and

(j) provide consultation to other health care providers.

(2) Every licensed CNS shall abide by the practice standards and guidelines established by a CNS national professional organization as identified by the CNS.