Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-17-402 - Practicing Collaboratively with a Physician Assistant

A. Before 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 as long as the physician assistant is employed by the collaborating physician or entity.

B. A collaborating physician or entity shall designate one or more physicians by name or position as responsible for the oversight of the physician assistant. When requested by the Board, the collaborating physician or entity shall notify the Board of the identity of the physician designated as responsible for oversight of the physician assistant.

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. The collaborating physician or entity shall ensure the physician assistant is competent to practice in any new area that is not substantially similar to the practice area in which the physician assistant previously practiced collaboratively, If the collaborating physician or entity determines the physician assistant needs additional education, training, and oversight, the collaborating physician or entity shall ensure additional education, training, and oversight is provided until the physician assistant acquires the necessary competence.

1. If the collaborating physician or entity determines a supervision agreement is warranted, 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 has not previously practiced.

2. The collaborating physician or entity shall document all actions taken under this subsection, including any additional education, training, and oversight or the initiation or termination of a supervision agreement, to ensure the actions are recorded in the employment file of the physician assistant. When requested by the Board, the collaborating physician or entity shall provide a copy of the information required under this subsection to the Board.

D. The collaborating physician or entity shall make a determination required under subsection (C) in collaboration with the physician assistant.

E. When certified under A.R.S. § 32-2536 to practice collaboratively, a physician assistant shall continue to collaborate or consult with or refer to the appropriate health care professional according to the policies of the practice setting at which the physician assistant is employed.

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.

Notes

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 R4-17-401 and 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. Amended by final exempt rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 129, effective 12/17/2024.