Tennessee medical assistant laws?

[jlh386]

Hi I recently quit my job at a pain clinic. I'm a new nurse and the environment just did not feel safe to me. A couple things I noticed were that the Medical Assistants (MA's) passed out meds to the patient's (mostly valium). They were not able to get them out of the drawer but they were the ones physically passing them out. Another thing was that the MA's started IV's. This practice is in TN and I am new to the area. I know in the state I come from these two things are not allowed. Could anyone tell me if this is legal in TN? If it is not should I report it to someone? to Who?

[RNewbie]

I don't think that most states even have a scope of practice for MAs. From what I understand in states with no scope MAs are allowed to do whatever they have been trained to do by the physician with supervision. I find this confusing that there is no scope or regulation to what they do. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but that's my understanding of it.

[pink_shoes99]

What? MA's are most definitely not supposed to be starting IV's! As far as I know they can give meds and injections and such, but IVs are a no no! And I'm pretty sure if you look hard enough you can find what they can and can't do in TN. I have found it before but it took some searching.