Collaborative Agreement

What is required to be in a collaborative agreement is different in each state, with the minimal requirements set by the BON. So, it's different for me than it is for someone in Florida or New York. Some states require a physician to be very involved and some require very little, if any physician involvement.

I was hired by an office that already employed an NP. Her agreement was a standard one from the parent company. Basically, it says who I am, who my collaborating physicians are, what groups of patients I can see and then it lays out collaboration, consultation, referral and quality assurance rules. It also states that one of the physicians will always be available in person or via phone/email for consultation.

There are collaborative agreement templates online and they should be available from your state NP organization or BON, though you may have to pay for them. You need to check with your state of practice to see what is required.

You do not need a collaborative agreement in many states.

Especially the states out west and northwest, you have independent practice.