Question on filling out FMLA papers

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Sorry if this has already been asked before but I was wondering what the general rule or if there even is one about filling out fmla forms in your office. Does the nurse fill them out then let the doc sign them or does the doc fill them out and have the nurse fax to employer or contact the patient to pick them up? I wasn't sure if is some sort of "fmla law" or something involved in all of this. Any insight out there???

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

Are you filling it out for yourself or do you work in an office filling it out for the patients.

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Filling it out for patients. Sorry for the confusion.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Filling it out for patients. Sorry for the confusion.

Then you are aware, because you complete the forms, that you are filling out a US Dept. of Labor form ... because that's at the top of the form. So yes, there are applicable laws.

The sections are clearly marked -- to be completed by employee, by the employer, and by the health care provider, with instructions for each section. As for who completes the form -- the workflow for that probably falls in line with how other similar forms (school physicals, work excuses, etc.) are completed.

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Specializes in Pedi.

FMLA IS a law. The Family Medical and Leave Act of 1993.

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Not to split hairs here, I'm just trying to figure out if it is okay if a provider delegates this task to their nurse because I have seen it done where I work. I know what it says on the form. So what is common practice when it comes to filling out the forms? Does anyone else want to share their experiences? I was just curious....

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I'm pretty sure a licensed care provider has to sign it. So sure, the nurse can fill it out, but the physician/NP needs to sign it.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

At our clinic the medical assistant, nurse, secretary or anybody can fill out FMLA paperwork and the doctor signs it. Well our doctor never fills anything out, not even the prescriptions. Doesn't seem right. Not sure what the law says about this though.

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I guess this was one of the reasons for my question. It just doesn't seem right, but oh well. I guess the doctor better be darn sure about every document he/she is signing there name to. If something is messed up on it, it will come back on them.

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