Supervision framework for physician associates
Physician Associates (PAs) must always work under onsite supervision, whether they are registered in the PA Provisional or PA General scope of practice. This means that they must not be rostered to practise solo in any healthcare setting.
The primary supervisor for all PAs 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 PAs
Delegation may be made to another vocationally registered doctor.
General scope PAs
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 PA.
- are not undertaking vocational training or appointed in RMO non-training positions.
Regardless of the supervision arrangements in place, overall clinical responsibility for any PA 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 PA:
- Chief Medical Officer;
- Clinical Director (PHO); or
- Clinical Lead (general practice or urgent care).
Supervision capacity
Supervisors may not supervise more than 3 PAs at any one time. For PAs registered in the PA Provisional scope of practice, the primary supervisor, supervision plan and place of work for each PA 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 PA 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.