Scope of Practice Tools

Minnesota participated in a technical assistance project sponsored by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Conference State Legislatures (NCSL) focusing on scope of practice policies in 2015-2016. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was the lead agency. MDH staff convened a project core team which developed two tools related to scope of practice policies:

1. A framework to assist policymakers in the objective analysis of legislative proposals relating to scope of practice changes for regulated health professions/occupations 
   
   Framework for describing and evaluating scope of practice and/or new licensure proposals for policymakers (Word)
   
   Framework for describing and evaluating scope of practice and/or new licensure proposals for policymakers (PDF)
2. A tool to assess barriers to the enacted scope of practice laws and identify strategies and action steps to mitigate the barriers 
   
   Barriers assessment form for scope of practice changes (Word) 
   
   Barriers assessment form for scope of practice changes (PDF)

The project core team included professional health care associations, health licensing boards, state legislators, and staff from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.

The core team remains interested in the use and applicability of this framework. Please send any feedback on the tools and examples of their use to: nitika.moibi@state.mn.us

Framework Uses

• The Minnesota Association of Naturopathic Physicians (MNANP) Proposal – 2016
• Collaborative Practice Dental Hygiene Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the scope of practice evaluation framework (henceforth, framework) reconcile with similar requirements as noted in MS 214.001-0.002 currently in statute?

   The core team that steered the development of this framework sees it as a more comprehensive alternative or supplement to the current statute. The framework draws from both the existing statute and numerous state and national sources, which are noted in the end notes included in the framework document.

2. How will parties interested in bringing scope of practice bills be notified of the availability and use of this framework?

   MDH ORHPC plans to announce the availability of the tool in its monthly newsletter. There will also be email announcements to MDH’s healthcare workforce listserv and attendees of the project’s in-person stakeholder meeting in August 2016. The 2014-2016 Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission recommended that the legislature adopt the framework for evaluating scope of practice proposals. The Commission also recommends that the 2017 incoming chairs use the framework. In addition, MDH will also contact the Revisor’s Office, Minnesota House and Senate Research Staff regarding the availability of the framework. NCSL also plans to publish the framework on their forthcoming scope of practice website.

3. Who were the members of the core team?

   Barbara Brandt
   Director, National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, University of Minnesota

   Shirley A. Brekken
   Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Nursing

   Senator Greg Clausen
   Co-chair, Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission

   Valerie DeFor
   Executive Director, HealthForce Minnesota, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

   Lauren Gilchrist
   Health Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith

   Representative Tara Mack
   Chair, Health and Human Service Reform Committee and Co-chair, Legislative Health Care Workforce Commission, Minnesota House of Representatives

   Ruth Martinez
   Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Medical Practice

   Nitika Moibi
   Supervisor, Health Workforce Planning and Analysis, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health

   Mark Schoenbaum
   Director, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health

   Senator Kathy Sheran
   Chair, Health Human Services and Housing Committee, Minnesota Senate

   Cody Wiberg
   Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Pharmacy

   Representative Nick Zerwas
   Health and Human Services Finance & Reform Committees, Minnesota House of Representatives

   University of Minnesota academic health positions:
   Leon Assael, Dean, School of Dentistry
   Connie Delaney, Dean, School of Nursing
   Julie Johnson, Associate Dean, College of Pharmacy
   Sheila Riggs, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Primary Dental Care
   Mark Rosenberg, Vice Dean, Medical School Education
   Marilyn Speedie, Dean, College of Pharmacy

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