Ariz. Admin. Code § 4-17-402

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R4-17-402 - Policies Regarding Collaboration with a Physician Assistant

A. Before employing and practicing collaboratively with a physician assistant, the collaborating physician or entity shall verify that the physician assistant is qualified under A.R.S. § 32-2536 and R4-17-401 to practice collaboratively. The collaborating physician or entity shall maintain evidence of the verification in the employment file of the physician assistant as long as the physician assistant is employed by the collaborating physician or entity.

B. As required under A.R.S. § 32-2531(B), a collaborating physician or entity shall develop written policies regarding collaboration for each physician assistant employed under subsection (A). The policies, which shall be individualized for the physician assistant's education, experience, and competencies, shall specify:

1. The physician assistant's name, license number, and contact information;

2. The name or position of the physician responsible for providing oversight of the physician assistant;

3. Description of the level of collaboration required between the physician assistant and the physician providing oversight including specific information to enable the physician assistant to contact the physician providing oversight;

4. Description of the practice setting in which the physician assistant will work;

5. Description of the practice specialty in which the physician assistant will work; and

6. Description of practice limitations, if any, applicable to the physician assistant.

C. Both the physician providing oversight and the physician assistant shall sign and date the policies developed under subsection (B). The collaborating physician or entity shall provide a copy of the signed policies to the physician assistant and put a copy in the employment file of the physician assistant.

D. The collaborating physician or entity shall review the policies developed under subsection (B) at least annually and make necessary changes. The collaborating physician or entity shall sign and date the policies as evidence the required review was performed. If changes are made to the policies, the collaborating physician or entity shall ensure the requirements of subsection (C) are performed.

E. If a change made under subsection (D) involves a practice setting or specialty in which the physician assistant has not previously practiced collaboratively, the collaborating physician or entity shall ensure the physician assistant is provided additional training and oversight until the physician assistant acquires the necessary education, experience, and competence.

1. If the collaborating physician or entity determines it is in the best interest of public health and safety, the collaborating physician or entity shall require the physician assistant to enter a supervision agreement, as defined at A.R.S. § 32-2501, until the physician assistant acquires the education, experience, and competence necessary to practice in the practice setting or specialty in which the physician assistant had not previously practiced collaboratively.

2. The collaborating physician or entity shall ensure that all actions taken under this subsection, including additional training and oversight, entering a supervision agreement, and terminating a supervision agreement, are noted in the employment file of the physician assistant.

F. A physician assistant may be employed by and practice collaboratively with multiple collaborating physicians or entities. Each collaborating physician or entity shall comply with this Section.

G. When requested by the Board, a collaborating physician or entity shall provide a copy of the policies required under this Section to the Board.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-17-402

Adopted effective July 8, 1986 (Supp. 86-4). Section R4-17-402 renumbered to R4-17-403; new Section R4-17-402 renumbered from R4-17-401and amended effective April 22, 1998 (Supp. 98-2). Section repealed by final rulemaking at 18 A.A.R. 2123, effective October 7, 2012 (Supp. 12-3). New Section made by final exempt rulemaking at 30 A.A.R. 63, effective 12/31/2023.