Scope of Practice, LPN

[crosshatch]

I am working at an outpatient substance abuse clinic in the State of Maryland. I am an LPN and work with an RN and a part-time MD. I generally answer to the RN, and we both answer directly to the MD.

For various reasons, my employer is asking if I can work independently, without an RN, and answering only to the MD. In other words, there will be no RN onsite, and three days a week, I would be practicing alone, under the supervision of an off-site MD.

Is this within my scope of practice? When I worked in AZ, I believe, I always had to work under the supervision of an RN.

Thanks in advance. I tried asking this question to the Board of Nursing, and do not get an answer.

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

In most states, an LPN works under the supervision of an RN and OR a licensed practiconer like an NP, PA, MD, DO, and dentist. I couldn't find much on the Maryland board of nursing regarding LPN scope, just RN scope .With that said, an LPN can legally "assess" in Maryland. In most states, an LPN, depending on the setting, doesn't need to have "direct" supervision with someone physically present. The fact that someone is available by phone, such as an RN/MD etc, will usually suffice, again setting dependent/acuity levels. I think in your setting, you needn't have an RN or MD physically present, just available should you need support. I've worked in a methodone clinic, where we were all LPNs, working underneath "supervision" of our medical director who was available by phone, and came in once a week.