Legal question about MA's and injections

[Wozthenurse]

Hi there everyone, I am new to the forms and also slightly new to the field of nursing. I am an LPN in the Seattle area where I just got a job at a diet clinic. I have a question regarding MA's and injections. Are they legally allowed to give them at the clinic without a doctor present if I am present as an LPN? When they hired me on there was a doctor at the facility but now my license is the only one there. Am I legally responsible if the MA's make a mistake?

Thanks everyone in advance!

[JourneyRN]

I would cover all of my bases and ask the doctor you work for and check your state's laws (maybe your state's BON has info about this on their website?). Also, I found the American Association of Medical Assistant's website with a form that allows you to submit your question: What Can Medical Assistants Do :: AAMA - The American Association of Medical Assistants

Also, have you asked the MA's there this question? Do they know their role?

[Amanda.RN]

Based on the information you provided, I am led to believe that there is currently NO physician(s) employed there. Who is prescribing the medication(s) that are being injected? A physician or someone with prescribing authority must be prescribing...and if not, and you're simply just giving medications / injections to patients who come in, I'd run like the wind and get out of there! Our MA's are mandated to list the "on-site physician" who is present in the clinic at the time the injection is given. Your situation sounds like a dangerous one, and I would be cautious with your license if I were you.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Hi there everyone, I am new to the forms and also slightly new to the field of nursing. I am an LPN in the Seattle area where I just got a job at a diet clinic. I have a question regarding MA's and injections. Are they legally allowed to give them at the clinic without a doctor present if I am present as an LPN? When they hired me on there was a doctor at the facility but now my license is the only one there. Am I legally responsible if the MA's make a mistake?

Thanks everyone in advance!

The facility doesn't employ an MD? Who is writing the orders for these injections then? Neither an MA nor an LPN can give an injection without an MD order for one. MAs, in general, can give injections and don't need anyone to supervise them in the actual procedure of administering the injection but neither one of you can do it without a physician's order.

[Jolie, BSN]

It is my understanding that MAs practice and perform any number of "advanced" skills without a license because they are acting as the "hands of the physician" and practicing directly under his/her orders and supervision.

This is not possible if the physician is not physically present in the building, and certainly not possible if there is not a physician employed by the clinic.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would NEVER give ANY injection without knowing there is a doctor in the clinic. Who orders the injections? What if the patient has an allergic reaction?