Flu Clinic without current license

[lilaclover]

I currently work at a cosmetic/skincare clinic that is attached to a medical clinic. There is 1 Doctor that runs both sides. Anyway one of the girls I work with on the cosmetic side is going to run his flu immunization clinic today on the medical side. She is an LPN in her home state however does not have a current license here in Canada and also does not have the immunization certification required in this province.

I am just wondering what the repercussions of her doing this flu clinic(if any) would be. The Dr. knows she does not have her current license so would it be like she is working under his license or what would happen if something went wrong, would she still be held responsible under her American license?

Also he (the Dr.) asked me to run the clinic too( I do have all the proper certifications) but I refused because he does not have an anaphylaxis kit onsite. I know this didn't make him happy but I am not risking my license if something happened.

[caliotter3]

In the US many doctors have medical assistants who work under the doctor's license. The medical assistant can be anyone that the doctor wants to take responsibility for. However, your friend may be setting herself up for problems since she has a valid license somewhere. You are wise to point out that the kit is not available.

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

I'm not sure how it works in Canada, but in the US (as caliotter3 stated), the MD can designate anyone a medical assistant. I don't think it matters whether or not they are licensed in another state, because LPN and MA are in two completely different hierarchies (i.e. an LPN is not truly considered a higher level of practice than an MA, regardless of scope of practice).

The problem would only arise if the MD is employing this person as a nurse and/or she is identifying herself as a nurse. I imagine that if she is not licensed in your province, she cannot claim to be a nurse, and must be employed and identified as an MA.

As for the lack of epinephrine onsite, that's just irresponsible. How hard is it for him to get some epi and some IM syringes? What kind of medical clinic is this to not have those supplies on hand at all times?

[lilaclover]

Hmmm I didn't think MA's were allowed to give flu shots in Canada... I am not really sure about that though. I have never encountered it before.... I will have to look into that. Does anyone know about this?

Either way the Dr. is calling her a nurse to his pt's and she isn't licensed in this province and on top of that does not have the immunization certification. In this province it is required that an LPN have the Immunization certification in order to administer any sort of Immunization.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

.e. an LPN is not truly considered a higher level of practice than an MA, regardless of scope of practice).

Oh yes I am, I have a license! A Medical Assistant does not have a license. Where did you dream that statement up? Please correct your statement, it is totally wrong.

[OttawaRPN]

lilaclover:

You and your coworker are setting yourselves up for a HUGE liability. I don't know which province this proposed flu clinic is in but in Ontario for example, administering a substance by injection is a controlled act ONLY performed by those licensed to do so (doctor, nurse) by their regulatory body, under the Regulated Health Professionals Act. Her American license is as useful as if it came from a Cracker Jack box.

"What would happen if something went wrong?" How about what would happen if they were found about? Try: JAIL.

Under no circumstances can your friend "work under the doctor's license." This is fraud punishable with major legal implications. As well, we do NOT have MA's. And the term "nurse" is a protected term only used by those registered as one, anyone using this term illegally can be charged for impersonating one, whether deliberate or not.

And this is a medical doctor proposing such illicit practice?? You should report him to his provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons.. STAT. And YOU can be viewed as an accessory. Run... as far and as fast as you can from this "doctor."

[klone, MSN, RN]

.e. an LPN is not truly considered a higher level of practice than an MA, regardless of scope of practice).

Oh yes I am, I have a license! A Medical Assistant does not have a license. Where did you dream that statement up? Please correct your statement, it is totally wrong.

I think she means that you can't compare them, because they're apples and oranges. Therefore, you can't say that one is a higher level of practice than another because they're not governed the same way (i.e. Nurse Practice Act, state board, etc).

[Fiona59]

If you're in AB, contact CLPNA right away. It's required that the LPN have a current practice permit AND an immunization certificate to administer any vaccine. For all we know her documents are under review right now and they need to know that she's not "up" on Canadian practice.

What kind of medical office doesn't have an ani-kit? Any patient could require it at any time.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

"I'm not sure how it works in Canada, but in the US (as caliotter3 stated), the MD can designate anyone a medical assistant. I don't think it matters whether or not they are licensed in another state, because LPN and MA are in two completely different hierarchies (i.e. an LPN is not truly considered a higher level of practice than an MA, regardless of scope of practice). Direct quote from, DonaldJ,. I am a higher level, I went to school longer, I took state boards. I have a nursing license! Just another person who is typing away without thinking. Or knowing what they are typing about.

[Fiona59]

From what I know about Doctor's office's here (and I am Canadian) only the LPNs give injections and vaccinations require specialized education and a certificate. MOA (medical office assistants) are usually clerks who keep the records, make appointments, etc. I've never seen one touch a patient.

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

Oh yes I am, I have a license! A Medical Assistant does not have a license. Where did you dream that statement up? Please correct your statement, it is totally wrong.

Whooooaaaa, tiger. Slow it down, take a deep breath, drop the rude attitude, and relax. I'm well aware that LPN's have a license. I was an LPN for 4 years before changing the initials behind my name. However, an LPN is *not* a higher level because a Medical Assistant, as klone mentioned, is not governed by the state's nursing practice act. In Tennessee, an EMT-Basic also has a license (in addition to certification). Does this mean an EMT-B is at a higher level than a Medical Assistant? Apples and oranges, as klone said.

I think she means that you can't compare them, because they're apples and oranges. Therefore, you can't say that one is a higher level of practice than another because they're not governed the same way (i.e. Nurse Practice Act, state board, etc).

It's "he", but thanks You picked up on exactly what I was trying to say.

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

I am a higher level, I went to school longer, I took state boards. I have a nursing license! Just another person who is typing away without thinking. Or knowing what they are typing about.

You *really* need to relax before your feelings get hurt. Maybe you've had a bad day, but you need to put a filter between that brain and those fingers. An LPN is not a higher level than a medical assistant in much the same way that a Paramedic is not a higher level than a CNA. Different hierarchies, as I said in my first post. Look up the word hierarchy before you continue to post about people not "knowing what they are typing about".