Idaho Physician Assistant Collaborative Agreement: What You Need to Know
In the state of Idaho, physician assistants are an integral part of the healthcare delivery system, working closely with physicians to provide quality healthcare to patients. But did you know that physician assistants in Idaho are required to have a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician?
What is a Collaborative Agreement?
A collaborative agreement is a written agreement between a physician assistant and a supervising physician that outlines the scope of the physician assistant’s practice. It is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions under which the physician assistant may perform medical acts and procedures.
The collaborative agreement must be signed by both the physician assistant and the supervising physician and must be kept on file at the physician assistant’s practice location. It must be available for review by the Idaho State Board of Medicine at any time.
Why is a Collaborative Agreement Necessary?
The collaborative agreement is necessary to ensure that physician assistants in Idaho are practicing within the scope of their training and experience and under the supervision of a licensed physician. It helps to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
The agreement outlines the specific duties and responsibilities of the physician assistant, as well as the supervising physician’s role in overseeing and directing the physician assistant’s work. It must also include a plan for how the physician assistant will be supervised and evaluated.
What is Required in the Collaborative Agreement?
The Idaho Board of Medicine has specific requirements for what must be included in the collaborative agreement. These include:
1. Identification of the physician assistant and supervising physician
2. Description of the physician assistant’s responsibilities and scope of practice
3. Description of the supervising physician’s responsibilities and scope of supervision
4. Description of how the physician assistant will be supervised and evaluated
5. Description of the plan for communication between the physician assistant and supervising physician
6. Description of the plan for emergency situations
7. Description of the plan for termination of the collaborative agreement
The collaborative agreement must also be reviewed and updated annually or whenever there is a change in the scope of practice or supervising physician.
What Happens if There is No Collaborative Agreement?
Working without a collaborative agreement is a violation of Idaho law and can result in disciplinary action by the Idaho State Board of Medicine. Both the physician assistant and the supervising physician can be subject to fines, license revocation, or other disciplinary action.
In addition, failure to have a collaborative agreement in place can put patients at risk. Without proper supervision and oversight, physician assistants may exceed their scope of practice, leading to medical errors and poor patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Collaborative agreements are an essential component of the practice of physician assistants in Idaho. They help to ensure patient safety and quality of care by outlining the specific duties and responsibilities of both the physician assistant and the supervising physician.
If you are a physician assistant practicing in Idaho, it is important to have a collaborative agreement in place. Make sure that your agreement meets all the requirements set forth by the Idaho Board of Medicine and is updated annually or whenever there is a change in the scope of practice or supervising physician. By doing so, you can provide the best possible care to your patients while staying in compliance with Idaho law.