NCJ Number
68836
Date Published
1979
Length
106 pages
Annotation
ONE IN A SERIES OF 'HOW-TO' MANUALS WHICH DEFINES THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR A CORRECTIONAL AGENCY, THIS DOCUMENT ANALYZES THE LEGAL STATUS OF MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS IN 11 STATES.
Abstract
UNDER A GRANT FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION, THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS PROVIDED TECHNICAL AID TO SELECTED STATES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THEIR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. THIS REFERENCE SOURCE FOR CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATORS DESCRIBES THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF PRACTICE FOR PHYSICIANS' ASSISTANTS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS; ESTABLISHES A FRAMEWORK FOR EXAMINING THE LEGAL CONTEXT OF PRACTICE FOR THE LARGER CLASSIFICATION OF ALLIED HEALTH PERSONNEL SUCH AS DENTAL HYGIENISTS, DENTAL ASSISTANCE, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS; GIVES ADMINISTRATORS SOME APPRECIATION OF THE LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN EMPLOYING MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS AND HELPS ADMINISTRATORS DEVELOP INTERNAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, ESTABLISH JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND CLARIFY LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS. THE MANUAL PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS' DEVELOPMENT AND POTENTIAL USE IN THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING. THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE 11 STATES' REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AND 'CONDITIONS OF PRACTICE' (OR FUNCTIONING) OF PHYSICIANS' ASSISTANTS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL IS PROVIDED TO EACH STATE PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY. (THESE STATES WERE COLORADO, FLORIDA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NORTH CAROLINA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, AND WISCONSIN.) TABLES AND SOME REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.