Supervision framework for physician associates
Physician associates must only practise in a setting where onsite supervision is available whether registered in the Physician Associate Provisional or Physician Associate General scope of practice. This means that they must not be rostered to practise solo in any healthcare setting. Guidance on the supervision of physician associates is available here.
The primary supervisor for all physician associates must be a vocationally registered doctor.
At any time that the primary supervisor is not available onsite, they may delegate to a secondary supervisor onsite, as set out below.
Provisional scope physician associates
Delegation may be made to another vocationally registered doctor.
General scope physician associates
Delegation may be made to:
- another vocationally registered doctor; or
- a doctor registered in the general scope of practice provided they:
- have 5 years of experience in a similar area of practice as the physician associate.
- are not undertaking vocational training or appointed in RMO non-training positions.
Regardless of the supervision arrangements in place, overall clinical responsibility for any physician associate employed or contracted to work, will sit with the employer or contracting organisation. Depending on the setting, one of the following will hold clinical responsibility for the physician associate:
- Chief Medical Officer;
- Clinical Director (PHO); or
- Clinical Lead (general practice or urgent care).
Supervision capacity
Supervisors may not supervise more than 3 physician associates at any one time. For physician associates registered in the Physician Associate Provisional scope of practice, the primary supervisor, supervision plan and place of work for each physician associate must be approved by the Council.
The employer has a responsibility to ensure a proposed primary supervisor has capacity and capability to meet their supervision obligations for each physician associate that they supervise.
The proposed supervisor should only accept the supervisory role if they have capability and capacity to meet their obligations under this framework.