Is it within the scope of practice of an ARNP to sign a POLST?

Yes.

The licensed ARNP, physician, or physician assistant may sign POLST.

• The health care practitioner signing the form assumes full responsibility for obtaining informed consent from the patient or surrogate decision-maker.
• The form must also be signed by the patient or surrogate to be valid.
• Verbal orders are acceptable with a follow-up signature following facility policy.

The ARNP should periodically review the POLST instructions with the individual or family for any treatment preference changes and consistency with any advance directive, especially if there are substantial changes in the person's health status or if there are substantial revisions to the form.

For more information and resources on POLST:

• Advisory Opinion: Portable Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) (PDF)
• DOH: Portable Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
• WSMA: Advance Care Planning
• WSMA: POLST Form & Brochure