1. (1) The Designated Health Authority (DHA) has the clinical responsibility for all program physical health and medical services occurring within the confines of the facility. Final clinical judgments regarding medical treatment received in the facility shall rest with this single individual.
2. (2) The role and function of the Designated Health Authority shall be clearly articulated in a written contract or agreement between the provider and the Designated Health Authority.

3. (3) The contract shall clearly indicate:

   1. (a) At a minimum, the DHA must be onsite once per week, with a week defined as the seven-day period beginning on Sunday and ending on Saturday. However, at no time will more than nine days pass between onsite visits. This is to allow flexibility for unexpected or emergent situations and should not be the routine process. The DHA must be on-site monthly when the weekly clinical duties have been delegated to a qualified practitioner (with an agreement, for at a minimum, weekly service being provided on site by the qualified practitioner). An Autonomous APRN may not delegate clinical duties and therefore must provide onsite weekly services.
   2. (b) Conducting onsite Medical Evaluation and Treatment.
   3. (c) Availability for consultation by electronic means twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, for acute medical concerns, emergency care, coordination of off-site services and other responsibilities.
   4. (d) Assisting in the development of the Facility Operating Policies, and Procedures for Medical and Dental episodic (non-emergent illnesses and injuries) and emergency care, including annual review/revision of episodic and emergency Protocols, Policies and Procedures.
   5. (e) Specification of other duties, as agreed upon by the program and the designated health authority.
   6. (f) The licensure level of the clinician (APRN, MD, or DO).

4. (4) The Designated Health Authority, who is an MD or DO only, may delegate clinical duties only to the following clinicians, as defined in Rule 63M-2.002, F.A.C., Designated Health Authority, (which may include the provision of on call coverage if designated in writing by a collaborative agreement):

   1. (a) Another physician (MD or DO);
   2. (b) An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or
   3. (c) A Physician Assistant (PA).
5. (5) The Designated Health Authority shall be responsible for communicating regularly with the facility Superintendent/Director and/or Assistant Superintendent/Director on all matters relative to the medical needs of the youth in the facility.

6. (6) The following duties and activities shall not be the responsibility of the Designated Health Authority:

   1. (a) The development or review of Facility Operating Procedures or other protocols related to psychiatric services;
   2. (b) The management of psychiatric conditions;
   3. (c) The prescribing of psychotropic medications.

Rulemaking Authority 985.64(2) FS. Law Implemented 985.64(2), 985.145, 985.18 FS. History–New 3-16-14, Amended 5-8-17, 2-5-25.