If you`re a nurse practitioner (NP), you may have heard of the NP supervision agreement. This is an important document that outlines the relationship between an NP and their collaborating physician.
In short, an NP supervision agreement is a legal agreement between an NP and their collaborating physician. It lays out the terms of the collaboration, including how often the physician will oversee the NP`s work, what types of patients the NP can see, and what responsibilities each party has.
Some states require NPs to have a supervision agreement in place, while others do not. However, even if your state doesn`t mandate it, it`s still a good idea to have one in place to protect yourself legally and ensure that you`re practicing within the scope of your licensure.
So, what should you include in an NP supervision agreement? Here are a few key points:
1. Scope of practice: Define the types of patients you can see and the procedures you can perform.
2. Frequency of supervision: Outline how often you will meet with your supervising physician, and whether those meetings will be in person or via telemedicine.
3. Emergency protocols: Detail how you will handle emergency situations, including what types of patients you can and cannot treat.
4. Record-keeping: Describe how you will maintain patient records and how often you will share those records with your supervising physician.
5. Scope of collaboration: Specify what areas of your practice the supervising physician can and cannot provide input on.
6. Termination clause: Detail how the agreement can be terminated by either party, and under what circumstances.
It`s also important to note that an NP supervision agreement should be reviewed and updated regularly. As your practice evolves and your skills grow, you may need to adjust the terms of the agreement.
In conclusion, an NP supervision agreement is an important legal document that helps to define the relationship between an NP and their collaborating physician. By outlining the terms of your collaboration, you can ensure that you`re practicing within the scope of your licensure and protecting yourself legally. If you`re an NP, it`s worth taking the time to understand and implement a supervision agreement.