Frequently Asked questions:

Question:  As a new graduate does a PA need a year of supervison to work at a Urgent Care type clinic if the doctor IS in the same town (less than 1 mile away) and is always available by phone or can stop by?

Answer: The rules state that you must have one year experience before working in a remote patient care setting.  The rule is interpreted to mean that: 1) new grads cannot work by themselves in any setting, and 2) a new grad can work in a "remote" setting, as long as the doc is on site.  A new grad would not be able to work in an Urgent Care Clinic unless the doc was present.  One mile away would not be approved by the board.   

As a new gradiate, my primary is taking two days off for vacation.  My alternate supervisor is down the street.  Am I allowed to see patients in my primary's clinic? 

As a new graduate you need to have a supervising physician on-site most of the day. At least that's how the Medical Board is going to see it.  Working by youself  for 2 days with the alternate supervisor down the street would be viewed very unfavorably by the board.  This of course would change once you have been out one year

I need some clarification on the new PA rule 435:15 9-3  that address th 48 hour rule for complex issues.

We are getting a lot of questions regarding an article hat appeared in the State Medical Board's newsletter a few weeks ago.  Due to the way the article was worded,  it sounded like PAs could not see new patients, ulness they were followed-up by the doctor within 48 hours.  To carify:  1) PAs can see new patients  2) New patients need to be seen by the doctor within 48 hours IF they have a complex problem .  3)  What constitutes a complex problem is defined by the supervising physician.  An example... a PA working with a cardiologist might not define angina as a complex problem but a PA working with a Family physician might.... conversely BPH would not be a complex problem in family medicine but it would be in cardiology.    It would be best if the doctor and the PA put down on paper conditions  (as defined complex by the doctor) requiring follow-up within 48 hours. 

How does the state board look at ownership in a clinic?