Volunteering at Summer Camp Infirmary as a PA-C

[karebear12892]

In high school and college, I used to volunteer as a camp counselor at a non-profit overnight summer camp for economically disadvantaged children. I am about to finish PA school and I'd like to return this summer to volunteer my time and skills in the infirmary. 

The camp director knows me well and wants my help. However, up until now, only physicians and nurses have volunteered. Has anyone here done something similar? Any ideas on what I would need to do in terms of having a supervising physician (on site vs. phone call away), scope of practice, etc.? I wasn't planning to get licensed in the state where the camp is located (AZ) - is that something I'll need to have in order to volunteer there? 

I'm quite sure my duties would not extend beyond basic first aid and dispensing Tylenol/Motrin/previously prescribed medications as scheduled. I'm guessing anything more involved would probably mean a trip into the town's urgent care office for the camper.

Any input on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated! 

[UGoLong]

In high school and college, I used to volunteer as a camp counselor at a non-profit overnight summer camp for economically disadvantaged children. I am about to finish PA school and I'd like to return this summer to volunteer my time and skills in the infirmary. 
The camp director knows me well and wants my help. However, up until now, only physicians and nurses have volunteered. Has anyone here done something similar? Any ideas on what I would need to do in terms of having a supervising physician (on site vs. phone call away), scope of practice, etc.? I wasn't planning to get licensed in the state where the camp is located (AZ) - is that something I'll need to have in order to volunteer there? 
I'm quite sure my duties would not extend beyond basic first aid and dispensing Tylenol/Motrin/previously prescribed medications as scheduled. I'm guessing anything more involved would probably mean a trip into the town's urgent care office for the camper.
Any input on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated! 

You can volunteer, but not as a PA if you lack a state license or a collaborating physician. If you have some other designation (EMT or paramedic) active in that state, you may be able to practice at that level. Otherwise you can be a knowledgeable civilian.


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[sas5814]

State laws vary. Many allow PAs to volunteer without a SP. Check yours.

At the risk of sounding paranoid never assume the problems are so simple they can't come back to bite you. See if the people you are volunteering with extend some kind of liability protection to volunteers.

I have volunteered at events where people suddenly dropped dead of a thunderclap MI. Stuff happens. Let me add that if something bad happens you can't suddenly decide you aren't a PA. You have an obligation to act. Failure to do so can put you in a jackpot as fast as acting and having a bad outcome.

[ventana]

I would NEVER volunteer with out a license and with out a CP unless I had it in writing from the board of that state that it was legal

 

that is called practicing medicine with out a license or a CP

 

 

[UGoLong]

I would NEVER volunteer with out a license and with out a CP unless I had it in writing from the board of that state that it was legal
 
that is called practicing medicine with out a license or a CP
 
 

That was my point. You can’t practice medicine. You would be a civilian volunteer.


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[airslant]

I called my state office about something similar and they said I would need malpractice and a CP.

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[MedicinePower]

17 hours ago, sas5814 said:

State laws vary. Many allow PAs to volunteer without a SP. Check yours.

If possible can you give an example of a state which allows a volunteer PA without a CP/SP?

[sas5814]

Texas

 

[MedicinePower]

18 hours ago, sas5814 said:

Texas

 

Can you be more specific? Does Texas allow a PA to volunteer at a summer camp without a CP/SP and yet have the normal scope practice generally found in primary care? Specifically can you link to any formal documentation which goes into detail about this?

[sas5814]

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to physician assistant services performed as volunteer
	care.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 204.2045, Occupations Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 204.2045.  VOLUNTEER CARE AND SERVICES PERFORMED DURING
	DISASTER. (a) The supervision and delegation requirements of this
	chapter and Subtitle B do not apply to medical tasks performed by a
	physician assistant:
	(1)  during a disaster under the state emergency
	management plan adopted under Section 418.042, Government Code;
	(2)  during [, or] a disaster declared by the governor
	or United States government; or
	(3)  as a volunteer for a charitable organization or at
	a public or private event, including a religious event, sporting
	event, community event, or health fair.
	(a-1)  This section does not apply to medical tasks performed
	by a physician assistant for compensation or other remuneration.
	(b)  A physician assistant performing medical tasks under
	this section:
	(1)  is entitled to the immunity from liability
	provided by Section 74.151, Civil Practice and Remedies Code; and
	(2)  is acting within the scope of the physician
	assistant's license for purposes of immunity under Section
	84.004(c), Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
	(c)  A physician assistant may perform tasks described by
	this section:
	(1)  under the supervision of any physician who is also
	performing volunteer work in the disaster, for the charitable
	organization, or at the public or private event; or
	(2)  without the supervision of a physician, if a
	physician is not available to provide supervision.
	(d)  A physician assistant employed by the United States
	government or licensed in another state may perform medical tasks
	in this state in circumstances described by Subsection (a) without
	holding a license in this state.
	SECTION 2.  Section 204.2045, Occupations Code, as amended
	by this Act, applies only to services performed on or after the
	effective date of this Act. Services performed before that date are
	governed by the law in effect on the date the services were
	performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
	purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

[ventana]

Sec. 204.2045.  VOLUNTEER CARE AND SERVICES PERFORMED DURING
	DISASTER this is in regards to during a disaster.... not summer camp (which admittedly can turn into a disaster)

 

Then at an event, is not for profit, and I don't suspect it would ever hold up as a defense in a bad outcome

 

 

 

 

nope now way I would do it....

 

 

I might show up and and function as a first responder  but that is it

[sas5814]

(3)  as a volunteer for a charitable organization or at
	a public or private event, including a religious event, sporting
	event, community event, or health fair.

[karebear12892]

10 hours ago, MedicinePower said:

Does Texas allow a PA to volunteer at a summer camp without a CP/SP and yet have the normal scope practice generally found in primary care? 

I appreciate everyone's input! It sounds like I'll need to discuss this with the AZ state medical board. If they say I need an AZ state license, then that's what I'll do. 

To be clear, I'm not expecting to have the same scope as a PA in primary care while volunteering in this capacity. The physicians that volunteer their time are not always on site - they are present perhaps 1/3 of the time. In fact, most of them are not licensed to practice in AZ. The infirmary is staffed by volunteer RN's 24/7. I understand I am obligated to act if (knock on wood) something disastrous happens (and yes, I will make sure I have liability insurance in place should this occur), but barring extraordinary circumstances, my role would essentially be the same as the camp nurses. Just want to go about this through the proper channels. 

Thanks, y'all!