Standards of Conduct for Physician Assistants

The Standards of Conduct for physician assistants in Massachusetts include the following: (1) Use of Title. A physician assistant shall only identify himself or herself as a physician assistant while in possession of a current license; (2) Misrepresentation of Credentials. A physician assistant shall not misrepresent his or her credentials related to the practice of physician assistants including, but not limited to, education, type of license, professional experience, or any other credential related to his or her work as a physician assistant. (3) Practice under a False or Different Name. A physician assistant may practice as a physician assistant only under the name in which such license has been issued. (4) Acts within Scope of Practice. A physician assistant shall only perform acts within the scope of practice of a physician assistant as defined in M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 9E through 9J, and 263 CMR 5.00. (5) Competency. A physician assistant shall only assume those duties and responsibilities within his or her scope of practice and for which he or she has acquired and maintained necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. (6) Responsibility and Accountability. Notwithstanding 263 CMR 5.08, a physician assistant shall be responsible and accountable for his or her own judgments, actions, and competency in the course of performing his or her duties as a physician assistant with respect to any matter before the Board. (7) Documentation. A physician assistant shall make complete, accurate, and legible entries in all records required by federal, state and local laws and regulations. (8) Falsification of Information. A physician assistant shall not knowingly falsify, or attempt to falsify, any documentation or information related to any aspect of licensure as a physician assistant, practice as a physician assistant or the delivery of medical services. (9) Alteration or Destruction of Records. A physician assistant shall not inappropriately destroy or alter any record related to his or her work as a physician assistant. (10) Discrimination. A physician assistant shall not withhold or deny care or services based on age, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, religious creed, national origin, diagnosis, or mental or physical disability. (11) Patient Abuse, Neglect, Mistreatment, or Other Harm. A physician assistant shall not abuse, neglect, mistreat, or otherwise harm a patient. (12) Infection Control. A physician assistant shall not place a patient, himself or herself, or others at undue risk for the transmission of infectious diseases. (13) Patient Dignity and Privacy. A physician assistant shall safeguard a patient's dignity and right to privacy. (14) Patient Confidential Information. A physician assistant shall safeguard patient information from any person or entity, not entitled to such information. A physician assistant shall share appropriate information only as required by law or authorized by the patient for the well-being or protection of the patient. (15) Sexual Contact. A physician assistant shall not have sexual contact with any patient with whom he or she has a current physician assistant/patient relationship or with any former patient who may be vulnerable by virtue of disability, age, illness, or cognitive ability. (16) Professional Boundaries. A physician assistant shall establish and observe professional boundaries with respect to any patient with whom he or she has a current physician assistant/patient relationship. A physician assistant shall continue to observe professional boundaries with his or her former patients who may be vulnerable by virtue of disability, age, illness, or cognitive ability. (17) Exercise of Undue Influence. A physician assistant shall not exercise undue influence on a patient, including the promotion or sale of services, goods, appliances or drugs, in such a manner as to exploit the patient for financial gain of the physician assistant or a third party. (18) Borrowing From Patients. A physician assistant shall not borrow money, materials, or other property from any patient. (19) Undue Benefit or Gain. A physician assistant shall interact with patients without undue benefit or gain to the physician assistant or a third party. (20) Relationship Affecting Professional Judgment. A physician assistant shall not initiate or maintain a physician assistant/patient relationship that is likely to adversely affect the physician assistant's professional judgment. (21) Advertising. A physician assistant shall not engage in false, deceptive, or misleading advertising related to his or her practice as a physician assistant. (22) Fraudulent Practices. A physician assistant shall not engage in any fraudulent practice including, but not limited to, billing for services not rendered or submitting false claims for reimbursement. (23) Impersonation. A physician assistant shall not impersonate another physician assistant or other health care provider, or knowingly allow or enable another person to impersonate him or her. (24) Aiding Unlawful Activity. A physician assistant shall not aid any person in performing any act prohibited by law or regulation. (25) Circumvention of Law. A physician assistant shall not receive from, or offer, give, or promise anything of value or benefit to, any official to circumvent any federal, state or local laws or regulations. (26) Practice While Impaired. A physician assistant shall not act as a physician assistant while impaired. (27) Unlawful Acquisition and Possession of Controlled Substances. A physician assistant shall not unlawfully obtain or possess controlled substances. (28) Duty to Report to the Board. A physician assistant has a duty to report to the Board if he or she directly observes another physician assistant or health care professional: (a) abuse a patient; (b) practice as a physician assistant while impaired by substance use; (c) divert of controlled substances. (29) Violence. A physician assistant shall not endanger the safety of the public, patients, or coworkers by making actual or implied threats of violence, or carrying out an act of violence. (30) Compliance with Agreements and Orders. A physician assistant shall comply with all provisions contained: (a) in any agreement he or she has entered into with the Board; or (b) in any order issued to him or her by the Board.