80.01         Scope of Practice - Expansion of Scope of Practice

It is the policy of the LAFP that the independent practice of medicine is to be reserved for licensed physicians and that non-physicians should only deliver care under the supervision and leadership of licensed physicians. The LAFP recommends direct on-site, daily supervision of mid-level providers, and requires that supervision be explicitly transferred to another physician when the supervising physician is unavailable.

The LAFP recognizes that there are special situations where direct, on-site supervision is not always available. The supervising physician should be available by telecommunications. The supervising physician must be physically available, within 20 miles or 30 minutes if the physician is not on-site.

The LAFP believes that no physician should be allowed to supervise more than 4 mid-level providers at one time.

The LAFP believes that all delegated services should be within the scope of practice of both the mid-level provider and the supervising physician.

Authority Note: (GAR2-1999); reaffirmed BOD 2004; reaffirmed BOD 2009; Edited and adopted 2015 BOD; reaffirmed BOD 2019

80.02         Scope of Practice - Advance Practice Registered Nurse

A nurse practitioner should only function in an integrated practice arrangement under the direction and responsible supervision of a practicing, licensed physician. In no instance may duties be delegated to a nurse practitioner for which the supervising physician does not have the appropriate training, experience and demonstrated competence.

The LAFP position is that advanced nurse practitioners should not be granted full license authority.

Authority Note: (GAR8 -2015); reaffirmed BOD 2019