Physician Assistants and Registered Specialist Assistants' Scope of Practice

Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for supervising a licensed physician assistant?

A licensed physician assistant themselves

A hospital administrator

A supervising physician (correct)

A registered nurse

What is the maximum number of licensed physician assistants a physician can supervise in a hospital setting?

Four

Six (correct)

Eight

Ten

What is required for a licensed physician assistant to issue prescriptions?

A separate medical license

Assignment by the supervising physician (correct)

Approval from a hospital administrator

Special training in pharmacology

What is a requirement for medical acts performed by a licensed physician assistant?

They must be within the scope of practice of the supervising physician Signup and view all the answers

What is a restriction on a physician's supervision of licensed physician assistants?

They cannot supervise more than four licensed physician assistants in their private practice Signup and view all the answers

What records must a licensed physician assistant retain?

Records documenting continuous supervision by the physician Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for duties assigned to a licensed physician assistant?

They must be within the scope of practice of the supervising physician Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation on a licensed physician assistant's scope of practice?

They can only perform medical acts assigned by the supervising physician Signup and view all the answers

What is required on a prescription issued by a licensed physician assistant?

The name, address, and telephone number of the supervising physician, and the name of the licensed physician assistant Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances may a licensed physician assistant issue prescriptions for controlled substances?

When acting within their lawful scope of practice, and to the extent assigned by their supervising physician Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Supervision and Scope of Duties for Physician Assistants and Registered Specialist Assistants

A licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant must perform medical services under the continuous supervision of a physician, but the supervising physician does not need to be physically present.
The licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant must keep records of the continuous supervision.

Scope of Practice and Duties

Medical acts, duties, and responsibilities performed by a licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant must:
- Be assigned by the supervising physician
- Be within the scope of practice of the supervising physician
- Be appropriate to the education, training, and experience of the licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant

Limitations on Physician Supervision

A physician may not employ or supervise more than four licensed physician assistants and two registered specialist assistants in their private practice.
A physician may not supervise more than six licensed physician assistants or registered specialist assistants (or any combination thereof) in a hospital setting.

Prescriptions, Certifications, and Medical Orders

A licensed physician assistant may issue prescriptions, certifications, and medical orders when assigned by the supervising physician.
Prescriptions must:
- Be issued in accordance with Section 281 and Article 33 of the Public Health Law and Part 80 of this Title
- Be written on the blank form of the supervising physician
- Include the name, address, and telephone number of the supervising physician and the name of the licensed physician assistant
- Bear the name, address, and age of the patient and the date on which the prescription was issued
A licensed physician assistant may prescribe controlled substances under Section 3306 of the Public Health Law, provided that such prescriptions shall be issued in accordance with Section 281 and Article 33 of the Public Health Law and Part 80 of this Title.

Licensing and Registration

A licensed physician assistant shall sign all prescriptions with their own name followed by the letters P.A. and their State Education Department license number.
A licensed physician assistant employed or extended privileges by a hospital may register as a practitioner under Part 1004 of this Title to issue patient certifications for medical marihuana.

Medical Responsibility

A physician supervising or employing a licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant remains medically responsible for the medical services performed by the licensed physician assistant or registered specialist assistant.