Paramedic supervision guidelines??

[ricochetkay]

Computer challenged! I was presented with challenge of finding if a paramedic can supervise a medical department, supervising LVNs and paramedics. I find LVN supervision guidelines, but unsure where to find out about paramedic supervising both.

Great need of help.

Thanks in advance

Ricochet Kay:)

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

This may depend on the state regulations. In Texas an EMT or Paramedic has lots of authority in the field, but is very limited elsewhere. They are not allowed to supervise nurses. An RN MUST BE PRESENT and be in charge of the ER. LVN's and EMT/Paramedics cannot do assessments or "professional nursing judgment" decisions (as described in the NPA). So you better check your states laws to be sure. I have trouble getting people to understand that, in our state, an EMT who works in the ER is a tech only. His/her license is of little value there.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i see where this thread is going already!!! lol

and of course lvn's do assessments...

this may depend on the state regulations. in texas an emt or paramedic has lots of authority in the field, but is very limited elsewhere. they are not allowed to supervise nurses. an rn must be present and be in charge of the er. lvn's and emt/paramedics cannot do assessments or "professional nursing judgment" decisions (as described in the npa). so you better check your states laws to be sure. i have trouble getting people to understand that, in our state, an emt who works in the er is a tech only. his/her license is of little value there.

[suzanne4, RN]

Paramedics should not be in a supervisory capacity in a hospital setting, if based on the paramedic role. They have that capability out of the hospital setting only.

And per the Boards of Nursing in all fifty states: The assessment procedure actually belongs to the role of the RN. Sure, we see it happening all of the time, but the laws for each state are different and you may find that most actually require that the RN sign off on the assessment each shift at least one time. It is not always happening but it is actually the law.

Same thing that you will see in a question on the NCLEX exam. Things may be done differently in someone's facility, but that does not make it legal in the eyes of the Board of Nursing for a particular state.

And the question being asked was specific as to what a paramedic can do, nothing about anything to do with the role of the LPN/LVN.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I know, I know, people do not practice according to nurse practice act all the time. HOWEVER, our NPA does state that paramedics are "unlicensed assistive personnel" in a hospital setting and LVN's do focal assessments, not full assessments. RN's need to be more protective of their scope of practice, IMHO, or we might lose it!