Legal question about MA's and injections

1 Hi there everyone, I am new to the forms and also slightly new to the field of nursing. I am an LPN in the Seattle area where I just got a job at a diet clinic. I have a question regarding MA's and injections. Are they legally allowed to give them at the clinic without a doctor present if I am present as an LPN? When they hired me on there was a doctor at the facility but now my license is the only one there. Am I legally responsible if the MA's make a mistake?

Thanks everyone in advance!
I would cover all of my bases and ask the doctor you work for and check your state's laws (maybe your state's BON has info about this on their website?). Also, I found the American Association of Medical Assistant's website with a form that allows you to submit your question: What Can Medical Assistants Do :: AAMA - The American Association of Medical AssistantsAlso, have you asked the MA's there this question? Do they know their role?

Based on the information you provided, I am led to believe that there is currently NO physician(s) employed there. Who is prescribing the medication(s) that are being injected? A physician or someone with prescribing authority must be prescribing...and if not, and you're simply just giving medications / injections to patients who come in, I'd run like the wind and get out of there! Our MA's are mandated to list the "on-site physician" who is present in the clinic at the time the injection is given. Your situation sounds like a dangerous one, and I would be cautious with your license if I were you.

Quote from WozthenurseHi there everyone, I am new to the forms and also slightly new to the field of nursing. I am an LPN in the Seattle area where I just got a job at a diet clinic. I have a question regarding MA's and injections. Are they legally allowed to give them at the clinic without a doctor present if I am present as an LPN? When they hired me on there was a doctor at the facility but now my license is the only one there. Am I legally responsible if the MA's make a mistake? Thanks everyone in advance!

It is my understanding that MAs practice and perform any number of "advanced" skills without a license because they are acting as the "hands of the physician" and practicing directly under his/her orders and supervision.This is not possible if the physician is not physically present in the building, and certainly not possible if there is not a physician employed by the clinic.

I would NEVER give ANY injection without knowing there is a doctor in the clinic. Who orders the injections? What if the patient has an allergic reaction?