Page 13 - Part 2 Collaborating with Advanced Practice Providers - An Overview of State Rules

SVMIC Collaborating with Advanced Practice Providers

Virginia

Physicians may enter into a practice agreement with no more than six

(6) nurse practitioners for prescriptive authority and may not supervise

more than six (6) physician assistants at one time.
9

The Physician’s Level of Supervision or

Collaboration

How closely must a physician interact with the supervisee? Generally,

the supervision must be “active and continuous” to ensure that the

physician is available and responsive to potential patient care issues as

well as the ongoing collaboration and instruction for the APP. However,
the supervisory or collaborative relationship does not require the

continuous and constant physical presence of the physician. Most states

define supervision as overseeing the activities of and accepting

responsibility for the medical services rendered by the supervisee.

The physician must be available to consult with the APP at all times or

must have an alternate physician available when the primary

physician cannot be made available. If a physician is supervising or

collaborating with a supervisee remotely, as opposed to one that is

employed as part of the physician’s own practice site, the physician may

be required to physically visit the practice site.

9 Va. Code Ann. § 54-1-2952(A). 18 Va. Admin. Code § 90-40-90(D).

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