Section 246-854-021. Delegation agreements.

(1) The osteopathic physician assistant and sponsoring physician must submit a joint delegation agreement on forms provided by the board. An osteopathic physician assistant may not begin practicing without written board approval of a delegation agreement.

(2) The delegation agreement must specify:

(a) The names and Washington state license number of the sponsoring physician and alternate physician, if any. In the case of a group practice, the alternate physicians do not need to be individually identified;

(b) A detailed description of the scope of practice of the osteopathic physician assistant;

(c) A description of the supervision process for the practice, including chart review; and

(d) The location of the primary practice and all remote practice sites and the amount of time spent by the osteopathic physician assistant at each site.

(3) The sponsoring physician and the osteopathic physician assistant shall determine which services may be performed and the degree of supervision under which the osteopathic physician assistant performs the services.

(4) The osteopathic physician assistant's scope of practice may not exceed the scope of practice of the supervising physician.

(5) An osteopathic physician assistant practicing in a multi-specialty group or organization may need more than one delegation agreement depending on the osteopathic physician assistant's training and the scope of practice of the physician(s) the osteopathic physician assistant will be working with.

(6) It is the joint responsibility of the osteopathic physician assistant and the physician(s) named in the delegation agreement to notify the board in writing of any significant changes in the scope of practice of the osteopathic physician assistant. The board or its designee will evaluate the changes and determine whether a new delegation agreement is required.

(7) An osteopathic physician may enter into delegation agreements with up to five physician assistants, but may petition the board for a waiver of this limit. However, no osteopathic physician may have under his or her supervision:

(a) More than three physician assistants who are working in remote sites as provided in WAC 246-854-025; or

(b) More physician assistants than the osteopathic physician can adequately supervise.

(8) Within thirty days of termination of the working relationship, the sponsoring physician and the osteopathic physician assistant shall submit a letter to the board indicating the relationship has been terminated.

(9) Whenever an osteopathic physician assistant is practicing in a manner inconsistent with the approved delegation agreement, the board may take disciplinary action under chapter 18.130 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.57.005, 18.57A.020, 18.57A.040, 18.130.050, and 2013 c 203. WSR 15-03-013, § 246-854-021, filed 1/8/15, effective 2/8/15.]

RCW 18.57.005, 18.57A.020, 18.57A.040, 18.130.050, and 2013 c 203. WSR 15-03-013, § 246-854-021, filed 1/8/15, effective 2/8/15.

Rules

246-854-025,