Is is within my scope of practice???

[piscesmama]

So here's the situation:

I got hired to work with a podiatrist. He has been giving his patients laser treatments for foot fungus. It's actually the nurse who does the treatment. Before the laser treatment some of the patients toenais are very thick and they need to be thinned down in order for the laser treatment to be more effective. So he has to debride the toenail. Am I allowed to debride the toenail??? The tool being used to debride the toenail is an electric filer.

If someone can guide me on a answer I would love it. ASAP, please.

Piscesmama

[JustMe]

That's a good question for the BRN. Working for a doctor in the office or clinic can be tricky--he/she may ask you to perform tasks that do NOT fall within your scope of practice. That being said, I know that many nurses are performing laser treatments in dermatology offices. They are looking for legislation that protects them.

Just my

[elkpark]

I agree that, if there's any question, your best bet is to get a specific answer from the BRN. Whatever time and hassle that takes will be nothing compared to the grief and hassle involved if it turns out later you were out of line and get into trouble with the board ... :)