Biometric screening out-of-state of licensure. Legal?

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Specializes in ob/gyn.

I have been asked to do biometric screening tasks @ a corporate health screen out of my state of licensure. Staffing agent states that I would not be able (obviously) to give flu shots, but claims it would be perfectly legal for me to do the blood pressure checks, glucose & cholesterol screens, BMI, etc. I say it's a grey area because any time you are educating & giving advice on said results that is practicing nursing. Am I correct? I tried to generate a call to my board of nursing. Got a recording to leave a message, and was highly encouraged to email with question which I have also done. I have a feeling it may take longer than I need to receive an answer either by phone or email from them however. If any of you know the answer to this with absolute certainty, your lightning fast response would be highly appreciated! Thanks SO much!

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Specializes in Government.

I do multi-state nursing and I would not do anything in terms of patient care in a state I am not licensed in. I've had to secure 3 licenses to cover my non-compact states. My company is very strict on this and I am as well.

I am assuming these are all non-compact states you are concerned about?

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Specializes in ob/gyn.

I am not clear on what you mean by 'non-compact' state?? I am licensed in Ohio; the state where the health screen event is occuring is Kentucky ...

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I am not clear on what you mean by 'non-compact' state?? I am licensed in Ohio; the state where the health screen event is occuring is Kentucky ...

There are a number of states in the Nurse Licensure Compact: https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

If you have a license in one state, you can practice in any of the states that participate in the NLC without getting an additional license. Unfortunately, Ohio is not part of the compact.

In your situation, I would not do anything invasive (even fingersticks) or anything that involves patient teaching. BP checks should be okay, but that's about it.

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Specializes in ob/gyn.

Interesting and informative - the 'non-compact' info! Thank you so much for both of your responses. You have both stated what my gut told me also. I think I will pass altogether on this event. I'm actually a tad concerned about a company that would encourage staffing events with OOS practitioners ...

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

If you are representing yourself as nurse then you must be licensed in that state.....unless as previously stated within a compact state.

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Specializes in Med./Surg. and paramed. exams.

Error on the side of caution. If you are licensed in Ohio, stay in Ohio.

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I was greatly encouraged by RN_2005's post. Well done on the professional integrity. Curious how things worked out.

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Specializes in LTC.

I have done several screenings through my staffing agency and my position was as a screener. Basically, the role of the screener is to do the readings, and verbalize the info that is already on the printed handouts you give to the employees. It IS providing education, but it's not introducing any new info that isn't already on the screening company's literature, and no medical dx is given. I'm licensed in OR but did an event outside Seattle and was not required to have a WA license to poke fingers, give chole panel results, and do BPs. I also know that here in OR, anybody experienced in a related field, including CNAs, MAs, and phlebotomists qualify as screeners at these events.

Like others posted, NEVER a bad idea to check with the state's BON in which you will be working.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU/CCU, Specials, CM/DM.

I work for an insurance company doing telephonic Disease Management and was informed that we nurses would be outreaching to patients in another state. After researching and emailing my state's BON, I found out that you also have to find out from the other state's BON to see if this is beyond the scope of their Nurse Practice Act. After reviewing the other state's Nurse Practice Act and emailing the other state, I found that is was beyond the scope due to not having licensure in their state for the work that I would be doing. Per the Nurse Practice Acts (may be different in each state), there may be times that a nurse can practice temporarily in that state without a license. So even if your state says it may alright, definitely check with the state in which you would be practicing.

Christy

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